He is a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
The federal government has announced the appointment of Andrew Coleman – a current judge of the New South Wales Supreme Court – as a new member of the Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal, effective 19 March 2026.
According to a media release from Michelle Rowland, Australia’s attorney-general, Coleman also serves as a major in the Australian Army Legal Corps (Reserves).
“I congratulate Justice Coleman on his appointment and thank him for his willingness to serve the Australian community,” said Michelle Rowland, Australia’s attorney-general, in the media release.
The media release noted that the tribunal hears and determines appeals from courts-martial and Defence Force magistrates in connection with service offences by Australian Defence Force personnel.
“This appointment will add to the capacity of the Tribunal to deal with appeals from courts-martial and Australian Defence Force magistrates relating to service offences by Australian Defence Force personnel,” Rowland said in the media release.
“Justice Coleman is a respected judge and brings valuable knowledge and experience to the Tribunal,” Rowland said in the media release.
Coleman’s profile on the website of the Supreme Court of New South Wales provided more information about his legal work, military background, and educational qualifications.
On 1 October 2024, the NSW Supreme Court swore him in as a judge. He is one of the judges in the court’s trial division. His legal experience has spanned insolvency, commercial law, insurance, inquiries, common law, and sports law.
In 2021, Coleman became a judge of the District Court of New South Wales.
In 2016, he entered the military. During his swearing-in ceremony as an NSW Supreme Court judge, the court noted that he had established a successful parallel military legal career.
In 2010, Coleman took silk. In 2005, he was one of the founding members of Banco Chambers. Before that, he served as a reader and then as a member at 11 St James Hall Chambers.
In 1996, he earned admission to the bar. Prior to that, he worked as a solicitor in Sydney and in London, UK.
In 1987, Coleman obtained degrees in arts and law from the University of New South Wales.
