Appointment of new Chief Magistrate

Attorney-General Robert Clark today announced the appointment of Deputy Chief Magistrate Peter Lauritsen as Victoria’s new Chief Magistrate.

Mr Clark said that Mr Lauritsen’s current role as Deputy Chief Magistrate together with his many years of wide legal and judicial experience made him ideally suited to take on the position of Chief Magistrate.

Mr Lauritsen was admitted to legal practice in 1975 and until 1987 worked as an employee solicitor and partner in a suburban legal practice while volunteering his services to various community organisations.

Mr Lauritsen was appointed as a magistrate for the Northern Territory in 1987 before being appointed as a Victorian magistrate in 1989.

“Mr Lauritsen is one of Victoria’s most highly regarded magistrates. His contributions to date in overseeing a wide range of reform projects within the court, as well as his ongoing role in court management at a senior level, mean he is well-placed to lead the Magistrates’ Court over the years ahead,” Mr Clark said.

“Mr Lauritsen chairs the Court’s Civil Rules Committee and its Dispute Resolution Committee, which examines more efficient and inexpensive ways of dealing with the Court’s civil business, as well as leading the Court’s consideration of reforms to committal processes within the Court.

“He also represents the Court on the Civil Procedure and Property Law Advisory Groups, which are currently considering the implementation of a number of recommendations of the Victorian Law Reform Commission,” Mr Clark said.

Mr Lauritsen will take office on Thursday 29 November, when Chief Magistrate Ian Gray commences his appointments as a County Court judge and State Coroner.

“I commend Mr Lauritsen for his service to the law and the community to date, and look forward to his ongoing contributions to Victoria’s legal system,” Mr Clark said.