New County Court Judge and State Coroner

Attorney-General Robert Clark today announced the appointment of Chief Magistrate Ian Gray to the County Court of Victoria and as Victoria’s next State Coroner.

Mr Clark said Mr Gray’s extensive experience as head of Victoria’s busiest court would enable him to make a valuable contribution to the County Court, as well as making him ideally suited to lead the Coroner’s Court.

Mr Gray commenced practice as a solicitor in 1975, working in private practice and as a community lawyer at the Nunawading Legal Service before being admitted to the Victorian Bar in 1982.

Between 1987 and 1997, Mr Gray worked in the Northern Territory, first as principal legal advisor to the Northern Lands Council, and then as Magistrate and Chief Magistrate. He was then appointed Chief Magistrate in Victoria in 2001.

“Mr Gray has led the Magistrates’ Court with distinction through more than a decade of extensive changes in both the law and the community’s needs,” Mr Clark said.

“Mr Gray’s knowledge and experience leading a court that sits across the suburbs of Melbourne and throughout country Victoria, engaging with people from a wide diversity of backgrounds on many different and complex issues, makes him an ideal person to take on the important and sensitive role of State Coroner.”

Mr Clark also paid tribute to the work of current State Coroner, Judge Jennifer Coate, and to her commitment and dedication during her five year term of office.

“Judge Coate has led the Coroner’s Court during the demanding start-up period since the court’s establishment in its current form in 2007, including through the traumatic times of the 2009 bushfires,” Mr Clark said.

“I thank Judge Coate for her contribution to the Coroner’s Court and wish her well for her continued service to the County Court and to the Victorian justice system.”

Mr Gray will commence in the roles of County Court judge and State Coroner on Thursday 29th November.