Chief Justice to Retire

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NSW Chief Justice James Spigelman has announced his intention to resign.

Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence and NSW Chief Justice Jim Spigelman

The state’s 16^th Chief Justice will resign on 31 May 2011, six days after his 13^th anniversary in the top job.

Chief Justice Spigelman said he had been honoured to lead the state’s highest court.

“I leave with the same level of commitment and enthusiasm I brought to the job in 1998,” he said.

“However, I believe that any organisation needs refreshing, and after 13 years, it also seems an appropriate time for me to personally and professionally refresh myself.”

Chief Justice Spigelman paid tribute to the highly skilled and qualified bench of judicial officers who currently make up the Supreme Court, 41 of whom were appointed during his tenure

He also acknowledged the contribution of the three NSW Attorney’s General he has worked with, the court’s administrative staff, the officers of the Department of Justice and Attorney General and the state’s legal profession in improving the efficiency of the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Spigelman cited the following administrative highlights of his time in office: a substantial reduction in court delays; innovative case management; additional court lists headed by specialist judges; the increased use of technology; and the government’s large capital investment in refurbishing the Queens Square Law Courts.

Chief Justice Spigelman said he intended to gather a “small portfolio of different roles” upon his retirement from the court.

“In my swearing-in speech, I announced that I was dedicating my life to the law to a degree that I have hitherto managed to avoid,” he recalled. “Now, I look forward to dedicating my life to a more diverse range of tasks.”