The new judge was described as "widely regarded as one of the leading silks in the country"
The NSW government has announced the appointment of Stephen Free as a judge of appeal at the NSW Supreme Court.
Free’s practice over the past 20 years has covered commercial law, public law, regulatory matters, and appellate advocacy. He is a barrister who has tackled constitutional and commercial cases and complex class actions, as well as competition, consumer, and administrative law matters.
“Stephen Free SC brings a wealth of experience from his work across some of the nation’s most complex and high-profile legal matters,” said Michael Daley, NSW attorney general, in the state government’s media release. “He is widely regarded as one of the leading silks in the country and known for his intellectual rigour, sound judgment and a deep commitment to the law”.
Free has appeared before the High Court, Federal Court, and NSW superior courts. He has served as counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and has appeared in other royal commissions and inquiry commissions.
He previously worked as a solicitor with the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office and with Mallesons Stephen Jaques. He has been a member of Football Australia’s appeals and disciplinary and ethics committees.
He was admitted to the bar in 2006 and was appointed senior counsel in 2018.
