VICTORIAN barrister Nemeer Mukhtar, QC, has been named as an associate judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Mukhtar is the first associate judge to be appointed since reforms to the legal system last year, which renamed Supreme Court masters ‘associate judges’ and gave them a larger role in mediating cases.

“These reforms show the Brumby Labor Government is taking action to help Victorians access the legal system through mediation,” deputy premier and attorney-general, Rob Hulls, said.

“The associate judges’ expanded role is integral to modernising the court system and resolving legal disputes at less cost.

“Mukhtar is a senior commercial counsel with 27 years’ legal experience who will be a valuable addition to the judiciary in this new role.”

Mukhtar studied Law and Commerce at the University of Melbourne before signing the bar roll in 1982.

After completing his articles at law firm Middletons, Mukhtar began his career as an advocate, developing a focus on civil law matters.

“Mukhtar has established a long and distinguished career specialising in commercial law litigation, mainly in the Supreme and Federal Courts, before his appointment as Queen’s Counsel in 1999,” Hulls said.

“Mukhtar has extensive experience in energy and resources cases, and most recently worked in taxation law and assets confiscation.