Perth’s new justice centre has been named in honour of the former chief justice David Malcolm.
Perth’s new supreme court building has been named in honour of the late former chief justice David Malcolm.
Officially named the David Malcolm Justice Centre by WA premier Colin Barnett on Friday, the 33-storey tower will be the centre of Perth’s justice precinct, housing the departments of Attorney-General and Treasury, as well as five floors of civil court rooms.
“David Malcolm was chief justice for 18 years, a brilliant lawyer, a wonderful chief justice and lieutenant governor,” Barnett said of the former chief justice, who died in October 2014 at the age of 76.
“It is so appropriate that his contribution to Justice in Western Australia is reflected in the naming of this building in his honour and his memory.”
Chief justice Wayne Martin told the ABC that his predecessor would be “chuffed” by the name of the new building.
“I'm very pleased this building has finally come to fruition. It's something David Malcolm wanted to see throughout his judicial career. Finally it's come to pass,” he said.
“It will hopefully provide a welcoming rather than an intimidating attitude and ambience.
“We want people to feel that the court is there to serve them and that they're welcome in the court building.”
The original supreme court building will remain and be used as the Court of Appeal for criminal cases, the ABC reported.
“There is a place for a heritage building of that kind of course with the gravitas that its facade provides. So that's an important part of the heritage of the state and will be maintained as a court building which I think is great,” Martin said.
