Marcus Hassall appointed presidential member of ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal
The Australian Capital Territory’s government has announced the appointments of Heidi Robinson as the 10th magistrate of the ACT Magistrates Court and Marcus Hassall as a presidential member of the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT).
“The expansion of the ACT Magistrates court to include a 10th magistrate reflects the ACT Government’s commitment to enabling the timely and efficient delivery of justice in the ACT,” said Tara Cheyne, ACT attorney-general, in the territorial government’s media release.
“I am deeply honoured to be offered this appointment as a magistrate in the ACT Magistrates Court and welcome the opportunity to continue serving the people of Canberra in this new role,” added Robinson, an experienced lawyer and tribunal member based in Canberra.
In the media release, Cheyne explained that Hassall fills the vacancy arising from Dr Juliet Lucy’s resignation as a full-time presidential member. Lucy will continue sitting part-time on the ACAT.
“I am thrilled to accept the offer of appointment as a Presidential Member of ACAT and look forward to continuing my contribution to the administration of justice in the ACT in this new capacity,” Hassall said.
In a media release, the ACT Law Society welcomed Robinson’s and Hassall’s appointments.
“The local legal profession extends our congratulations to Ms Heidi Robinson and Mr Marcus Hassall on their appointments,” said Vik Sundar, the law society president, in the media release.
The ACT government’s media release provided more information regarding the professional experience of the new appointees.
Cheyne expected the ACT Magistrates Court to benefit from Robinson’s extensive and diverse experience within the territory’s legal system, including in public and private legal practice.
“She brings significant experience in a broad range of areas relevant to the Magistrates Court including employment and industrial law, civil claims, commercial disputes, child welfare law, mental health, building disputes, nuisance and negligence,” Cheyne said.
At the ACAT, Robinson began serving as a member in 2016 and as a presidential member in 2021. There, she presided over matters involving mental health, guardianship, civil disputes, contract disputes, consumer law claims, unit title and retirement village disputes, discrimination, occupational discipline, and the administrative review of government decisions.
Before joining the ACAT, she worked as a barrister at Blackburn Chambers, as special counsel with the ACT government solicitor, and as a senior executive at the ACT Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate.
“Throughout his career Marcus Hassall has proven to have strong legal skills, careful judgment, and a firm commitment to fairness and proper procedure,” Cheyne said.
Most recently, Hassall served as a special magistrate in the ACT Magistrates Court and as a barrister at Blackburn Chambers. He previously worked as ACT legal aid commissioner, as president of the ACT Bar Association, and as federal prosecutor.
“I have no doubt that Mr Hassall’s skills and experience will contribute to the ongoing success of ACAT and the administration of justice in the ACT,” Cheyne said.
