Justice Helen Bowskill has been appointed Queensland’s new Chief Justice, succeeding the state’s first female Chief Justice, the retiring Chief Justice Catherine Holmes AC.
Justice Bowskill is currently the Senior Judge Administrator of the Queensland Supreme Court and is renowned for her measured and compassionate approach to the court. She will become the second woman to take on Queensland’s Chief Justice role.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the appointment on Thursday, congratulating Justice Bowskill on her appointment.
“Justice Bowskill is well qualified for the top position of Chief Justice and brings a wealth of experience and skills to the role,” Palaszczuk said.
“Her Honour, a university medalist in law from QUT, was admitted as a barrister to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1998. She practised widely in public, administrative and commercial law, with a particular focus on native title law.”
Queensland’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said Justice Bowskill is widely-respected within the legal profession.
“Since her appointment as Senior Judge Administrator in 2021, Justice Bowskill has shown great leadership and will contribute greatly the Queensland justice system in her new role,” Fentiman said.
“Justice Bowskill has recently demonstrated her interest in mental health issues facing the legal profession, presenting papers at the ODPP Crown Prosecutor’s Conference and to Queensland Magistrates in 2021. These presentations have been well received and benefit the broader administration of justice.”
Fentiman also paid tribute to the work of Chief Justice Catherine Holmes AC, calling her a “trailblazer” for women in the legal profession.
“Her leadership of the court during COVID-19 was commendable, ensuring Queenslanders have continued access to justice during the global pandemic,” she said.
“She is one of the foremost legal minds in the state, and she has proved a steadfast leader of the Queensland justice system during her tenure as Chief Justice. I thank the Chief Justice for her service to the courts and to Queensland over her distinguished career.”
Justice Bowskill will step into the role of Chief Justice in March 2022.