Carolyn Simpson
Hon. Justice Carolyn Chalmers Simpson AO | |
---|---|
Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW | |
In office 22 December 1993 – 29 March 2018 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Forbes, New South Wales | 30 March 1946
Nationality | Australian |
Residence(s) | Sydney, New South Wales |
Alma mater | Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney Bathurst Teachers College University of Sydney |
Carolyn Chalmers Simpson
Early life and education
Simpson was born 30 March 1946, at
She received her education as a boarder at the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney at Croydon,[5] and following matriculation attended Bathurst Teachers College[1] (an antecedent to Charles Sturt University), graduating with a Diploma of Education in 1965.[3] After five years of teaching followed by a failed attempt to gain employment as a journalist, a friend suggested she study law.[3][2] She graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts and then completed the Barristers Admission Board examinations.[6]
Career
Simpson served as an associate to a District Court judge. It was here that she realised her passion for law, stating: "I got hooked."[3]
She was a member of the University of Sydney Law Extension Committee from 1972–76, an Officer of the Department of Youth and Community Services from 1974–76, President of the Society of Labor Lawyers, and President of the Council for
Justice Simpson made headlines in April 1999, when she and Justices
Simpson sat in the Common Law Division of the Supreme Court of NSW until her elevation to the Court of Appeal in June 2015.[7] Simpson retired as a full judge on 29 March 2018,[8] however continues to work as an Acting Justice of Appeal in the NSW Court of Appeal.[9]
In the
Notable decisions
Justice Simpson has presided over a number of high-profile cases. She was the judge responsible for sentencing Neddy Smith, a notorious gangland murderer, to life imprisonment in 1989.[6]
In 2005, she presided over the much publicised case
She set a precedent in 2007 when she awarded around A$1 million to a teenager who was bullied at primary school. She concluded that the school had "grossly failed" in its duty of care to Benjamin Cox, who now suffers from a severe psychiatric condition.[12]
References
- ^ a b c d Suzannah Pearce, ed. (2007). "SIMPSON Carolyn Chalmers, Hon. Justice". Who's Who in Australia Live!. North Melbourne, Vic: Crown Content Pty Ltd.
- ^ a b Whitbourn, Michaela (28 March 2018). ""Yes you can": trailblazing judge's powerful message to women in law". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Graham, Sally (26 May 2000). "Setting the Benchmark". Alumni news. Charles Sturt University. Archived from the original on 19 July 2005. Retrieved 30 September 2007.
- ^ Whitbourn, Michaela (28 March 2018). "'Yes you can': trailblazing judge's powerful message to women in law". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
- ISBN 0-9597340-1-5.
- ^ a b c "Media Watch" (PDF). Gazette. Sydney, NSW: The University of Sydney. 1999. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 February 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2007..
- ^ Upton MP, Gabrielle (3 June 2015). "New Judges Appointed" (PDF). Justice NSW. Justice NSW. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
- ^ "'Yes you can': trailblazing judge's powerful message to women in law". SMH.com.au. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ "Judicial officer contact details". Supreme Court of NSW.
- ^ "The Honourable Carolyn Chalmers Simpson". honours.pmc.gov.au. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
- ^ Casella, Nicolette (31 December 2005). "Rowe on cloud Nine". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 September 2007. [dead link]
- ^ AAP (22 May 2007). "Govt considers appeal on bullied boy". The Age. Retrieved 30 September 2007.