Chief Justice of the Northern Territory
Encyclopedia
The title of Chief Justice of the Northern Territory refers to the highest judicial position in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory
. The position is currently held by Trevor Riley
.
was established in 1911. From 1911-1974 the Northern Territory had only one resident judge. Relief was provided by Commonwealth
judges from 1961 - 1976 and by Federal Court
judges from 1976 - 1978. The Northern Territory
gained Self-Government in 1978 and by that time had four resident judges.
The title given to the judge varied in name, as the laws concerning the position varied. In 1975 the position was renamed to Chief Judge, with Sir William Forster
the only person to hold that position, from 1977-1979. Forster uniquely held 3 different titles relating to the same position, that of Senior Judge, Chief Judge and Chief Justice, when the position title was changed again in 1979. Since that time there have been 6 Chief Justices of the Court. From 1911-1974, there were eight resident judges (not including Forster).
Supreme Court of the Northern Territory
The Supreme Court of the Northern Territory is the superior court for the Australian Territory of the Northern Territory. It has unlimited jurisdiction within the territory in civil matters, and hears the most serious criminal matters...
. The position is currently held by Trevor Riley
Trevor Riley
Trevor John Riley QC is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. He was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court on 1 February 1999 and Chief Justice on 27 September 2010....
.
History of the Chief Justice of the Northern Territory
The Supreme Court of the Northern TerritorySupreme Court of the Northern Territory
The Supreme Court of the Northern Territory is the superior court for the Australian Territory of the Northern Territory. It has unlimited jurisdiction within the territory in civil matters, and hears the most serious criminal matters...
was established in 1911. From 1911-1974 the Northern Territory had only one resident judge. Relief was provided by Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
judges from 1961 - 1976 and by Federal Court
Federal Court of Australia
The Federal Court of Australia is an Australian superior court of record which has jurisdiction to deal with most civil disputes governed by federal law , along with some summary criminal matters. Cases are heard at first instance by single Judges...
judges from 1976 - 1978. The Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
gained Self-Government in 1978 and by that time had four resident judges.
The title given to the judge varied in name, as the laws concerning the position varied. In 1975 the position was renamed to Chief Judge, with Sir William Forster
William Forster (judge)
Sir William Edward Stanley Forster was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory holding that position from 1979 to 1985...
the only person to hold that position, from 1977-1979. Forster uniquely held 3 different titles relating to the same position, that of Senior Judge, Chief Judge and Chief Justice, when the position title was changed again in 1979. Since that time there have been 6 Chief Justices of the Court. From 1911-1974, there were eight resident judges (not including Forster).
List of Resident/Senior Judges of the Northern Territory
- The Hon. Samuel James MitchellSamuel James MitchellThe Hon. Samuel James Mitchell was the first Judge of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and served from 1911 to 1912.-Early life:...
1911-1912 - The Hon. David John Davies Bevan 1912-1920
- The Hon. Donald Arthur Roberts 1921-1928
- The Hon. Ross Ibbotson Dalton Mallam 1928-1933
- The Hon. Thomas Alexander Wells 1933-1952
- The Hon. Martin Chemnitz Kriewaldt 1952-1960
- The Hon. Alan Bruce Keith Ian Bridge 1961-1966
- The Hon. Sir Richard Arthur Blackburn OBE (Mil) 1966-1971
- The Hon. Sir William Edward Stanley ForsterWilliam Forster (judge)Sir William Edward Stanley Forster was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory holding that position from 1979 to 1985...
1971-1977
List of Chief Judges of the Northern Territory
- The Hon. Sir William Edward Stanley ForsterWilliam Forster (judge)Sir William Edward Stanley Forster was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory holding that position from 1979 to 1985...
1977-1979
List of Chief Justices of the Northern Territory
- The Hon. Sir William Edward Stanley ForsterWilliam Forster (judge)Sir William Edward Stanley Forster was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory holding that position from 1979 to 1985...
1979–1985 - The Hon. Kevin Frederick O'Leary 1985–1987
- The Hon. Keith John Austin AscheAustin AscheKeith John Austin Asche, AC, QC is a former Administrator of the Northern Territory and was the third Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.-Early years, education and family:...
AC 1987–1993 - The Hon. Brian Frank MartinBrian Frank MartinBrian Frank Martin AO MBE QC was the fourth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. He was appointed to that position on 26 February 1993 when the former Chief Justice Austin Asche took up appointment as Administrator of the Northern Territory...
AO MBE 1993–2003 - The Hon. Brian Ross MartinBrian Ross MartinBrian Ross Martin AO QC was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory from 2004 to 2010. He was sworn in as the Northern Territory's fifth Chief Justice on 27 January 2004 following the retirement of Brian Frank Martin.At the time of his appointment he was a judge of the...
2004–2010 - The Hon. Trevor RileyTrevor RileyTrevor John Riley QC is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. He was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court on 1 February 1999 and Chief Justice on 27 September 2010....
2010–present