New appointment to the Court of Appeal

Attorney-General Robert Clark today announced the appointment of Phillip Priest QC to the Court of Appeal.

Mr Clark said Mr Priest’s more than 30 years’ experience in the law would enable him to make a valuable contribution to the Court of Appeal.

“Mr Priest has extensive trial and appellate experience in criminal and civil law in all jurisdictions, including the High Court and Court of Appeal,” Mr Clark said.

“As well as his highly regarded criminal law practice, Mr Priest has regularly prosecuted and defended breaches of occupational health and safety laws, as well as appearing in transport accident and medical practice cases.”

Mr Priest was admitted to practice in 1980 and appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1998. He is currently a member of the Victorian Bar Council and Deputy Chair of the Victorian Bar Ethics Committee. He has previously served on the committee of the Criminal Bar Association and as a member of the Criminal Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia.

Mr Priest is also a regular instructor in the Victorian Bar readers’ course, and has been a guest lecturer and instructor at the Leo Cussen Institute and the Victoria Police prosecutors’ course.

Mr Priest will take up the position recently vacated by the retirement of the Honourable Philip Mandie.

“I thank the Honourable Philip Mandie for his years of service to the community and I look forward to Mr Priest’s ongoing contribution to the people of Victoria and the judicial system,” Mr Clark said.