O’Connell was a County Court judge, while Fary was an FCFCOA judge
The Supreme Court of Victoria has announced the appointments of Peter Richard Fary as an associate judge of the Supreme Court and of Michael Glennon O’Connell and Diana Inara Piekusis to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division, effective 3 February 2026.
According to the Victorian bar, Richard Niall, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, advised that the Executive Council made the three judicial appointments.
In a news release, the court congratulated and welcomed the new appointees. In its news release, the Judicial College of Victoria also expressed its warm congratulations to O’Connell, Piekusis, and Fary on their judicial appointments.
The court noted that it would provide an update regarding the details of the welcome ceremonies for the three newly named judges at a later date.
The court’s news release provided more information regarding the three judicial officers.
O’Connell most recently worked as a judge of the County Court of Victoria. He joined the County Court in 2017. There, he served in its Criminal Division. He also belonged to the County Court’s Media Committee and the Judicial College of Victoria’s Criminal Charge Book Committee.
He earned admission to practise in Victoria in 1987.
Piekusis became chief Crown prosecutor in 2024. She accepted an appointment as senior counsel in 2018.
She signed the High Court roll in 2009, signed the Victorian bar roll in 2003, and gained admission to practise in 1998.
In 2025, Fary most recently worked as a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Division 2. There, he oversaw matters in connection with administrative law, judicial review, employment law, and bankruptcy.
He signed the Victorian bar roll in 2001 and earned admission to practise in 1994.
