NSW Supreme Court adds judges Hayley Bennett, Paul McGuire

Frank Veltro joins bench of state's District Court to fill vacancy left by McGuire

NSW Supreme Court adds judges Hayley Bennett, Paul McGuire

NSW’s communities and justice department has announced the appointments of Hayley Bennett and Paul McGuire as judges of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and Frank Veltro as a judge of the District Court of New South Wales. 

Dr. Bennett, joining the Supreme Court’s equity division, will be sworn in privately on 1 July 2025. Judge McGuire, currently sitting on the District Court’s bench, will be part of the Supreme Court’s common law division and be sworn in on 8 July 2025. 

“Dr Bennett and Judge McGuire bring unique perspectives and extensive experience that will enhance the court's capacity to serve the people of New South Wales,” said Michael Daley, NSW attorney general, in a media release from the state government department. 

Bennett and McGuire will replace justices James Stevenson and David Davies, set to retire from the Supreme Court’s bench. 

Meanwhile, Veltro will be sworn in on 30 June 2025 to fill the vacancy resulting from McGuire’s elevation to the Supreme Court. 

“This appointment reflects the calibre of legal professionals in New South Wales,” Daley said in the media release. “Mr Veltro will bring immense skill and integrity to his new role.” 

Hayley Bennett

“Dr Bennett brings extensive legal experience and her impressive career, including her academic background and earlier work as a neuropsychologist, reflects a strong commitment to justice and public service,” Daley said in the media release. “I’m confident she will be an outstanding addition to the Supreme Court.” 

Bennett has focused on issues needing expert evidence and analysis across law and medicine. She has appeared in matters concerning mental capacity in succession law disputes, guardianship cases, and mental health law applications and appeals. 

She has also appeared as counsel assisting with coronial inquests and royal commissions of inquiry. Her legal practice has covered equity, protective law, public law, trusts and estates, health discipline, and aged care law. 

With her interdisciplinary background, Bennett contributes to research and academics at the intersection of law and neuroscience. She earned her PhD in clinical neuroscience from the University of Sydney and an LLB with first-class honours from the University of New South Wales

She worked as a clinical and research neuropsychologist. She joined the NSW bar in 2009 and became senior counsel in 2024. 

Paul McGuire

“Judge McGuire has shown exceptional legal skill throughout his career,” Daley said in the media release. “Widely respected at the Bar and now during his time on the District Court, his appointment to the Supreme Court is richly deserved.” 

McGuire joined the District Court as a judge in August 2023 after over two decades in the bar. 

As a barrister well versed in criminal and commercial law, he has appeared in complex criminal trials and developed particular experience in white-collar crime, fraud, insider trading, and terrorism prosecutions. 

McGuire led 7 Garfield Barwick Chambers, worked as a solicitor and senior practitioner in Australia and the UK, and became senior counsel in 2015. He has mentored junior counsel. 

He obtained his BCom and LLB degrees from the University of Queensland

Frank Veltro

“Frank Veltro SC is a highly regarded advocate with a long-standing commitment to justice,” Daley said in the media release. “His deep understanding of criminal law and extensive experience make him an excellent addition to the District Court bench.” 

At the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Veltro became a Crown prosecutor in 2000, deputy senior Crown prosecutor in 2019, acting deputy director in 2021, and deputy director of public prosecutions in 2021. 

With over three decades of experience in criminal law, he has appeared in complex trials and appellate matters before the Court of Criminal Appeal and the High Court. He has contributed to the NSW Bar Association’s professional conduct, criminal law, and education committees. 

Veltro became a solicitor and deputy registrar of the NSW Supreme Court in 1984, prosecuting counsel in Hong Kong in 1992, a member of the NSW bar in 1997, in-house counsel with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions in 1998, and senior counsel in 2020.