He will begin his tenure on 20 January 2025
The Tasmanian government has announced key appointments to the Supreme Court of Tasmania.
Chris Shanahan SC will assume the role of chief justice, and Judge Kate Cuthbertson SC has been named a puisne judge.
Shanahan will begin his tenure as chief justice on 20 January 2025, succeeding Justice Alan Blow AO, who retired under the requirements of the Supreme Court Act 1887. Cuthbertson will take up her position as puisne judge on 3 February 2025.
In a statement, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Guy Barnett welcomed the appointments, emphasising their significance in ensuring the continued strength and effectiveness of Tasmania's judicial system.
“I congratulate and warmly welcome both Mr. Shanahan and Judge Cuthbertson on their appointments to these important roles and look forward to their commencement,” Barnett said.
Shanahan brings extensive legal experience to his new role. Admitted to the WA Supreme Court in 1984, the NSW Supreme Court in 1989, and the High Court in 1990, he has held the title of senior counsel since 2004. His career has included roles such as acting commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission of WA and senior sessional member of the State Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Cuthbertson also has a distinguished legal career. Before her appointment as a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court in August 2024, she served as senior counsel and head of chambers at Malthouse Chambers, where she worked for 14 years. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade with the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania. She was admitted to practice in 1999 and became senior counsel in 2022.
These appointments fill vacancies created by the retirement of Blow and the resignation of puisne judge Gregory Geason. The positions were filled following a national selection process in accordance with the Protocol for Judicial Appointments.
Barnett thanked Blow for his significant contributions over his long tenure. “Justice Blow has made an immense contribution to Tasmania – he has served as Chief Justice since 2013, having first been appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court in 2000,” Barnett said.
