He has served as chief judge of the County Court of Victoria since 2015
The chief judge of the County Court of Victoria, Peter Kidd SC, has been appointed as a judge of the Court of Appeal.
Kidd has served as chief judge since September 2015. Before this role, he had an extensive career in criminal law in Australia and internationally. Kidd was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1990, signed the Victorian Bar roll in 1995, and was appointed senior counsel in 2011. He also served as Crown prosecutor and senior Crown prosecutor from 2009 to 2015.
Beyond his work in Victoria, Justice Kidd contributed to international justice as a prosecutor at the War Crimes Chamber of the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this role, he was involved in prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide arising from the Bosnian conflict in the 1990s.
Justice Kidd holds a Master of Laws from the University of Geneva, specialising in international humanitarian and criminal law, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide.
Following his departure from the County Court, deputy chief judge Meryl Sexton will act as chief judge until a permanent appointment is made.
Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny acknowledged Justice Kidd's leadership. "I congratulate Peter Kidd SC on his appointment to the Court of Appeal and thank him for his leadership of the County Court over the past decade," Kilkenny said. "He brings a wealth of experience cultivated across a range of jurisdictions to the Court of Appeal."
The Judicial College of Victoria also recognised Justice Kidd's contributions, highlighting his role in judicial education and professional development for judges. The college noted his involvement in initiatives focused on judicial well-being, judicial conduct, legal education, and his leadership in County Court conferences.
Justice Kidd's transition to the Court of Appeal marks a new phase in his legal career. His background in criminal law and international justice is expected to bring valuable expertise to the appellate court. Kidd's appointment takes effect on April 28.
