Swearing-in Ceremony for the Hon. Justice Gregory Sirtes
The Honourable Andrew Bell, Chief Justice of New South Wales, has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the General Division in this year’s Australia Day Honours, for eminent service to the judiciary and to the law, to legal education and training, and to the arts as an administrator and benefactor.
In response to the announcement, Chief Justice Bell has said: “I am deeply honoured to have received this award. It is a privilege to serve as Chief Justice and to lead the very fine and hard working judiciary that we are fortunate to have in New South Wales, especially at a time when the rule of law is more important than ever.
I have had a fortunate life and am grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to public life in Australia in the various ways that the roles of Chief Justice and Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales permit.”
Recent statements by the Chief Justice of New South Wales
Swearing-in Ceremony for the Hon. Justice Phillip Boulten
Sir James Martin's is the only person to hold all three positions of Chief Justice, Premier and Attorney General.
Sir James Martin's is the only person to hold all three positions of Chief Justice, Premier and Attorney General.
Sir James Martin's is the only person to hold all three positions of Chief Justice, Premier and Attorney General.
The Attorney General announced that Justice Natalie Adams will succeed Justice Harrison as the Chief Judge at Common Law. She is the first female to hold this position and is a highly respected member of the Court.
Justice Adams was born and grew up in Narrandera, has been a member of the Supreme Court since April 2016 and, prior to that, was the Crown Advocate for New South Wales.
The Common Law Division of the Court has a broad jurisdiction ranging from all criminal trials in the Supreme Court and bail hearings, High Risk Offender applications, possession matters, professional negligence, personal injury and institutional abuse, administrative law and public and product liability class actions. Common Law Division judges also sit on the Court of Criminal Appeal which is often presided over by the Chief Judge at Common Law.
The Chief Judge at Common Law, together with the Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge in Equity and Principal Registrar, is a member of the Court’s executive.
The Australian Legal Convention will be held at the High Court of Australia in Canberra from 21 – 22 November. Chief Justices from Australia and New Zealand will gather with academics and legal practitioners to exchange ideas and seek practical solutions to the most pressing challenges facing the justice system. Most sessions will be accessible via livestream. View the Convention Program.
The Discussion Paper on Practical Legal Training Reform was issued on 30 September 2025 by the Legal Profession Admission Board of New South Wales.
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