On this day in 1999 Justices Carolyn Simpson, Margaret Beazley and Virginia Bell made legal history when they sat as the first all-women appellate Bench in the common law world. In 1987 Jane Mathews became the first woman to be appointed to the Bench of the Supreme Court, 66 years after the admission of Ada Evans. Carolyn Simpson followed in 1994. They were joined two years later by Margaret Beazley, who was the first woman appointed as a Judge of Appeal in New South Wales and would become its President (and subsequently Governor). Together, Mathews, Simpson, Beazley, Bell and Paddy Bergin, who would later become Chief Judge in Equity, laid the foundations for the increasing number of women whose expertise, experience, and merit were recognised by their elevation to the judiciary.
On this day in 1999 Justices Simpson, Beazley and Bell made legal history when they sat as the first all-female Bench in the common law world.
On this day in 1999 Justices Simpson, Beazley and Bell made legal history when they sat as the first all-female Bench in the common law world.
Justice Yehia spoke to Sally Sara from ABC Radio National Breakfast about systemic change in the courts and underlying issues faced by victims and offenders
The Court of Appeal has made declarations that certain provisions enacted by the Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (NSW) following the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025 are invalid. The Court found the provisions, which formed a scheme for the restriction of public assemblies with areas declared to be restricted by the Commissioner of Police, infringed the freedom of political communication which is guaranteed by the Commonwealth Constitution.
Chief Justice Andrew Bell opened the 9th Judicial Seminar on Commercial Litigation and welcomed Chief Justices and judges from nine participating jurisdictions. The seminar is held biennially and is convened by the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Supreme Court of Singapore and the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Pictured with Chief Justice Bell, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Supreme Court of Singapore and Chief Justice Andrew Cheung , Court of Final Appeal, Hong Kong SAR, gave the closing addresses in the Banco Court.
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
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.
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