Masters of the Bench

Thomas Frederick Bathurst was appointed Chief Justice of New South Wales on 1 June 2011.

Graduating with degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Sydney in 1971, he went on to practise as a solicitor in 1972. He was admitted as a barrister in 1977, specialising in corporate law and litigation and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1987. His considerable experience in corporate law saw his appointment as a member of the Australian Government’s Takeovers Panel (2006-2011).

Prior to his appointment to the bench, the Chief Justice served as President of both the Australian Bar Association (2008-2010) and the New South Wales Bar Association (2009-2011), the Executive Committee of which he was a member from 2002.

The Chief Justice was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2014.