The ex-chair of the Australia Law Council's family law section will commence as judge in February
Dianne Simpson, the immediate past chair of the Law Council of Australia’s family law section, has joined the bench at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA, Division 1).
The new judge will be based in the Sydney registry, according to the ACT Bar Association. She officially takes up the role on 3 February 2025.
“Di is a passionate advocate who has dedicated her career to helping those in need and reforming family law in this country. She has been a trusted advisor and expert at both the ACT and national level, serving on the ACT Law Society’s Family Law Committee since 2012 and the Law Council’s Family Law Section Executive since 2016”, Law Council of Australia President Greg McIntyre SC said.
He added that Simpson had played a key role in major family law development, such as enhancing access to justice for the vulnerable members of the community, contributing to progressive reforms to family law and its administration, and helping with the development of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children.
“Justice Simpson has always been a tireless advocate for those facing some of the most challenging and vulnerable circumstances in family law. Her dedication to reform and access to justice has made an indelible mark on the profession. In every sense, Justice Simpson has been a leader of our profession”, ACT Bar Council President Brodie Buckland said.
Simpson helped to found ACT-based DDCS Lawyers in 2007. She became an accredited family law specialist for NSW in 2009.
She was named deputy chair of the Law Council’s family law section in December 2020 and became chair in 2021. She remained in this post until this month.
