Media Release: Seven new judicial appointments to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts) are pleased to welcome the following judicial appointments announced today by the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP.

All judges will commence on Monday, 6 February 2023.

The Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), the Honourable William Alstergren AO, said that these appointments to the Courts are all highly skilled lawyers who are eminently qualified to be judicial officers. They will contribute greatly to the Courts dealing with the high-volume of complex cases that are filed in the Courts in both the family law and general federal law jurisdictions.

“The appointments ensure that the Courts have no vacant judicial appointments. This will greatly assist the Courts to effectively manage their demanding caseload and provide access to justice across Australia.

“On behalf of the Courts, I am delighted to welcome the appointment of such esteemed and eminently qualified individuals to the Bench.

“I warmly welcome the new judges who will play a critical part in the Courts’ future and serving the Australian community,” the Chief Justice said.

The Courts’ total number of judges nationally is now 111.

Biographical details:

The Honourable Justice Rebecca Curran - Sydney Registry

The Honourable Justice Rebecca Curran was called to the Bar in 2012. Prior to this her Honour was a Registrar of the then Family Court of Australia in the Brisbane registry, a solicitor and a partner of Canberra law firm Phelps Reid. Justice Curran’s practice included all areas of family law and also undertaking mediations as a nationally accredited mediator. Justice Curran is the current President of the ACT Bar Association, Chair of the ACT Bar Family Law Committee and Chair of the Women Barristers Committee. Justice Curran has been noted by Doyle’s Guide as a preeminent ACT Family Law Barrister and as a Leading Family Law Mediator.

Her Honour Judge Louise Goodchild - Sydney Registry

Her Honour Judge Louise Goodchild is an experienced barrister having been called to the Bar in 2005. Her Honour’s practice included family law, wills, estate and probate law, defamation law, personal injury (particularly institutional abuse matters), human rights and native title law. Prior to being called to the Bar, Judge Goodchild practised as a solicitor in criminal law and native title law in New South Wales and Queensland. Her Honour’s previous experience also included an appointment as a Senior Judicial Member of the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Her Honour Judge Dina Lioumis - Sydney Registry

Her Honour Judge Dina Lioumis was admitted as a solicitor in 1990 and called to the New South Wales Bar in 2018. As a solicitor Judge Lioumis practiced in the area of family law, becoming an accredited specialist, and worked as a solicitor and solicitor advocate. Judge Lioumis’ 28 years of experience in family law includes serving as a Registrar in the then Family Court of Australia, and working as a solicitor at Legal Aid as well as in private practice. Her Honour has also served as a member of the Law Society Professional Conduct Committee and has taught evidence and ethics at the University of Technology Sydney.

Her Honour Judge Janine Young - Melbourne Registry

Her Honour Judge Janine Young was admitted to practice in 1997. Prior to her Honour’s appointment as a Judge she was a Deputy President of the Fair Work Commission since 2019. Her Honour was previously a Partner at Corrs Chambers Westgarth specialising in employment and labour law since 2011, having worked as an employment and labour law specialist with Corrs Chambers Westgarth since 2007. Before joining Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Judge Young was a workplace relations lawyer at Mallesons Stephen Jaques.

His Honour Judge Mark Champion - Melbourne Registry

His Honour Judge Mark Champion is an experienced barrister having been called to the Bar in 2000. His Honour had a highly regarded employment law practice representing employees and employers across jurisdictions. Judge Champion’s practice also included administrative law, commercial law and professional disciplinary matters. His Honour was an experienced mediator and completed the Victorian Bar Mediators Course. For several years, Doyle’s Guide recommended his Honour among Leading Employment Law Counsel.

Her Honour Judge Amanda Humphreys - Melbourne Registry

Her Honour Judge Amanda Humphreys is an Accredited Family Law Specialist who has worked most recently as a solicitor at Taussig Cherrie Fildes since 2019, as Special Counsel. Her Honour has worked exclusively in family law since 2001 after beginning her legal career as a research assistant with the Supreme Court of Victoria, Court of Appeal. Her Honour’s expertise extends across all aspects of family law, including complex parenting, property and financial matters, child support and international family law. Her Honour has a special interest and expertise in international family law and is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. Judge Humphreys was recommended by Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer in Melbourne in 2022 and Leading Parenting & Children’s Matters Lawyer in Victoria from 2019 to 2022.

Her Honour Judge Jennifer McArdle - Brisbane Registry

Her Honour Judge Jennifer McArdle is an experienced barrister having been called to the Bar in 2010. Her Honour’s practice included all aspects of family law and child protection matters, having represented clients in the Federal and State Courts, both in Brisbane and in regional areas. Prior to being called to the Bar, Judge McArdle was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1989, and worked in private practice for several years, advising on wills and estates, commercial property, personal injuries matters and family law. In 1995, she joined Legal Aid Queensland, as a Solicitor in their Family Law section. Her Honour is an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Arbitrator. Judge McArdle has been listed in Doyle’s Guide as a leading family law barrister in Queensland.