At FCFCOA Division 2, she was inaugural deputy chief judge (general and fair work)
The federal government has announced the appointment of Patrizia Mercuri – who was most recently deputy chief judge (general and fair work) of Division 2 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) – as a justice of Division 1.
On 7 October 2026, Mercuri will begin sitting in the Parramatta registry.
“Deputy Chief Judge Mercuri has provided outstanding leadership during one of the most significant periods of reform and growth in the Courts’ history,” said Will Alstergren, FCFCOA chief justice. “Her judgement, integrity, tireless work ethic and unwavering commitment to the Courts have earned the respect of judges and staff across the country.”
Michelle Rowland, Australia’s attorney-general, congratulated Mercuri on her appointment after a merit-based process that included an open call for expressions of interest and consideration by an advisory panel.
“I thank Deputy Chief Judge Mercuri for her continued willingness to serve the Australian community,” Rowland said in the media release announcing the move.
“This appointment is fitting recognition of her distinguished service, leadership and contribution to the work of the Courts,” Alstergren said. “I warmly congratulate Deputy Chief Judge Mercuri and wish her every success in the next chapter of her judicial career.”
Media releases from the Attorney-General’s Department and from the FCFCOA provided more information regarding Mercuri.
As the inaugural deputy chief judge (general and fair work) of Division 2 since 17 September 2021, Mercuri has launched and chaired judicial committees, including the Joint Legal Committee, which supervised the implementation of Family Law Act 1975 reforms.
On the courts’ behalf, she has attended national and international conferences and assisted with the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Justice, focusing on the promotion of women judges, the rights of women and girls in child support, and marital and family law.
Mercuri has spearheaded initiatives on reviewing and modernising the General Federal Law Rules. Her caseload has spanned different jurisdictions of Division 2.
In the then Federal Circuit Court of Australia, she started sitting in the Melbourne registry on 25 September 2017. Before joining the bench, she worked as a partner at Lander & Rogers.
In 1991, Mercuri earned admission as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Victoria. She obtained an LLB and an LLM from Monash University.
Here are some other news stories on judicial appointments to the FCFCOA.
The Australian government congratulated the following on their appointments to the FCFCOA as of 10 August 2026: Steven Middleton and Sandra Taglieri to Division 1, and Tracy Flintoff to Division 2.
The federal government announced the appointments of the following judges to the FCFCOA, Division 2 – Kara Best, Celia Conlan, Kathryn Heuer, Sharney Jenkinson, Amy McGowan, and James Renwick – effective 17 September 2025.
Enjoy this story? Read about the latest Australian legal appointments on the main page!
