Kate Price has been appointed the Registrar of Probates following Michael Halpin’s retirement.
After 27 years as the Registrar of Probates, Michael Halpin has retired from the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Kate Price, formerly Deputy Registrar (Common Law Division) and Assistant Registrar of Probates at the Court, has been appointed to the position.
Ms Price has worked alongside Michael Halpin in the Probate Office for many years, and most recently helped deliver the RedCrest-Probate eFiling system that manages Victoria’s 22,000 annual grant applications.
“This appointment is an honour,” Ms Price said.
“When I came to the Court, Michael became my mentor and has remained my mentor for all the time I have been here.
“When I was admitted into practice, Michael moved my admission.”
“His passion for this area of law and the work of the Probate Office is something that we share, and I look forward to following in Michael’s footsteps in providing outstanding service to the Victorian community.”
The Chief Justice of Victoria, Anne Ferguson, this week congratulated them both.
“Kate’s work in the Court for over ten years and extensive experience within the Probate Office provides a seamless transition of leadership,” Chief Justice Ferguson said.
Justice Kate McMillan noted Ms Price held the distinction of being the first female Registrar of Probates in Victoria.
“With Michael’s retirement, we are thrilled that the Probate Office now rests in the capable hands of Kate Price who will bring the same level of commitment and expertise to the role,” Justice McMillan said.
Michael Halpin graduated in 1975 from Monash University with a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Laws.
Mr Halpin initially practised as a solicitor before his appointment as Assistant Solicitor to the Public Trustee and later Manager of the Legal Branch at the Land Titles Office.
In 1989 he completed the inaugural Australia New Zealand Executive Interchange Program with the graduate school of Management at Monash University before his appointment as Registrar of Probates in 1993.
"The opportunity to contribute to the practice of succession law in Victoria has been a privilege", Mr Halpin said.
Mr Halpin notes the establishment of the Probate List in 2011 as a career highlight.
Now known as the Trusts, Equity and Probate List, it enabled complex succession law matters to be dealt with by specialist judges.
Both Justice McMillan and Justice Steven Moore offered their heartfelt thanks to Mr Halpin for his invaluable and generous support to them in their role as Judges in charge of the list.
Justice McMillan said that over his many years at the Court, Mr Halpin has served as Registrar with distinction.
“His expertise and enthusiasm has been an invaluable support in performing our judicial roles.”
In 2012 Mr Halpin was invited to become a member of the advisory committee set up to assist the Law Reform Commission in its deliberations on succession law.
The Report, delivered in 2013, contained sweeping recommendations to the law relating to the administration of deceased estates.
Mr Halpin said another highlight was his work on the Probate Users' Committee. Over many years the Committee has been a wonderful conduit between the Court and those who regularly deal in the court's probate jurisdiction.
“On behalf of the whole of the Court, I would like to thank him for his important contribution,” Chief Justice Ferguson said.
“Michael Halpin is admired within the legal profession for his practicality, humility and professionalism.”
“I congratulate him on his retirement, and Kate Price on her appointment to the position.”
The Court’s Chief Executive Officer, Matt Hall PSM, also thanked Mr Halpin for his service.
“Michael has kept service to the Victorian community at the heart of his leadership,” Mr Hall said.
“This has contributed to building a high performing Probate Office where a strong sense of commitment and collaboration provides outstanding probate service as a leader in Australia.”
The Registrar of Probates is responsible for the exercise of judicial power of the Supreme Court of Victoria at a specialist level by providing legally binding directions and orders in the Court’s Probate jurisdiction. The Registrar of Probates is also responsible for overseeing the operations of the Supreme Court of Victoria’s Probate Office.