Robert French our new High Court Chief Justice

(Thursday 31 July 2008)

Federal Court judge Robert French was yesterday announced as Australia’s next chief justice of the High Court.

Justice French, 61, will become the first Western Australian to head the High Court in its 107-year history. His appointment was seen as a surprise – NSW chief justice Jim Spigelman was widely tipped for the role – but was welcomed in legal circles yesterday.

Despite being a former Liberal Party candidate, Justice French is regarded as largely neutral when it comes to party politics. He is seen as a progressive thinker who will, “throw ideas around in the air very freely but be very selective about which one he catches before they fall to the ground,” according to law expert Greg Craven.

Justice French, who will commence his new role at the end of August, said yesterday: “I thank the government for its confidence in me. The honour of the appointment carries with it great responsibility, which I willingly accept.”

(read the full story at http://www.theage.com.au/national/surprise-choice-in-judicial-top-post-20080730-3nfx.html?page=1)

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