Chief Justice Richard Niall has spoken of his optimism and ambition for the Court.
Chief Justice Richard Niall was today welcomed as the Supreme Court of Victoria's thirteenth Chief Justice.
The ceremony held on Tuesday 18 February included speeches from:
- the Attorney-General of Victoria Sonya Kilkenny
- Victorian Bar President Justin Hannebery KC
- Law Institute of Victoria President Matthew Hibbins
- and a Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy AO.
“My job as Chief Justice is to foster an environment of excellence, both in this Court and through my work on Courts Council across the courts of the state,” Chief Justice Niall said.
“The judicial function is a human endeavour and like any human endeavour perfection is unobtainable. But the community can, and should, expect excellence.
“Excellence in judicial decision making is not just about getting the right legal answer, as important as that is.
“It is always about the application of the judicial method, with its demands for fairness. It is about the character and standing of judicial officers.
“It is about timely decision making supported by reasons that are capable of being understood by a wide cross-section of the community.”
Chief Justice Niall said he looked forward to sharing knowledge with interstate heads of jurisdiction.
“[The Court] is an institution which is always changing and adapting, but which remains constant to its core values,” he said.
“Taking the lessons from earlier generations while being agile enough to meet changing circumstances remains critical to the life of a court.
“To prosper a Court needs both continuity and change.”
Chief Justice Niall thanked Chief Justices Anne Ferguson and Marilyn Warren for their leadership. He also thanked all those who had supported him across his career.
“I am optimistic and ambitious for the Court’s future,” he said.
“I take on the role at a time where the Court is exceptionally well served by its judges, associate judges, judicial registers and staff.”