James Emmett and Edward Muston join as judges of the court
The Supreme Court of New South Wales has announced the following appointments: James Emmett and Edward Muston as new judges at the Supreme Court and Natalie Adams as chief judge of the Common Law Division.
Andrew Bell, NSW chief justice, welcomed Emmett’s and Muston’s appointments in an announcement on the court’s website. The court noted that it would livestream their swearing-in ceremonies via its YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, the NSW attorney general announced that Adams would replace Justice Ian Harrison as the chief judge at common law. The court described Adams as a highly respected member and the first woman to hold this position.
The court’s website provided more information regarding the appointees.
Emmett, who will be sworn in on 4 December 2025 at 9:15 a.m. in the Banco Court, will fill the slot of Harrison, who has been a Supreme Court judge for 18 years.
Emmett became a member of the bar in 2006 and senior counsel in 2020. He has been a member of the New South Wales Bar Council.
He has focused his practice on public and administrative law, commercial litigation, professional negligence, and maritime law.
Muston, to be sworn in on 2 December 2025 at 9:15 a.m. in the Banco Court, replaces Justice Michael Walton, a past president of the Industrial Relations Commission and a Supreme Court judge for 27 years.
Muston became a member of the bar in 2004 and senior counsel in 2015. He has been a member of the Bar Association Professional Conduct Committee since 2005 and has served as its chair.
His national practice centres on commercial disputes, insurance, reinsurance, corporate law, and obligations.
Adams, who was born and grew up in Narrandera, joined the Supreme Court in April 2016. As the new chief judge, she is a member of the court’s executive alongside the chief justice, the president of the Court of Appeal, the chief judge in equity, and the principal registrar.
The Common Law Division’s jurisdiction covers criminal trials in the Supreme Court, bail hearings, high-risk offender applications, possession matters, professional negligence, personal injury and institutional abuse, administrative law, and public and product liability class actions.
Before joining the court, she was Crown advocate for NSW.
