The majority of judges on the High Court of Australia will be women for the first time in history, with Justice Jayne Jagot appointed to the court.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus announced Justice Jagot’s appointment on Thursday. She will commence the role in October upon the retirement of Justice Patrick Keane.
“Justice Jagot is the 56th Justice of the High Court and the seventh woman appointed to the Court,” Drefyus said in a joint statement with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“This is the first time since Federation that a majority of Justices on the High Court will be women.”
There are seven judges on the High Court, and when Justice Jagot replaces Justice Keane in October, there will be four women on the bench.
The court is currently headed by Chief Justice Susan Kiefel, who is the first woman to take on the role of Australia’s High Court chief justice. She has held the role since 2017.
Dreyfus and Albanese said Justice Jagot is regarded as “an outstanding lawyer” and “eminent judge”.
“The Government congratulates Justice Jagot on her well-deserved appointment. It is a role that she will fill with distinction.”
Justice Jagot is currently serving as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia. Previously, she was a judge of the New South Wales Land and Environment Court. She has also been a barrister and partner at Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons).
Minister for Women Katy Gallagher also congratulated Justice Jagot on the appointment, writing: “She can now add history maker to her incredibly accomplished CV, with her appointment to the High Court of Australia pushing the bench to a women-majority. This is a first in 121 years.”