Robert Beech-Jones
Justice of the High Court of Australia | |
|---|---|
| Assumed office 6 November 2023 | |
| Nominated by | Anthony Albanese |
| Appointed by | David Hurley |
| Preceded by | Stephen Gageler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Wynyard, Tasmania, Australia |
| Spouse | Suzie Miller |
| Education | Australian National University |
| Occupation | Barrister |
Robert Beech-Jones is an Australian judge. He was appointed to the High Court of Australia in 2023, and previously served as a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales from 2012 to 2023.
Early life and education
Robert Beech-Jones was born in Wynyard, Tasmania. He is the youngest of four children born to Joan and Mike Beech-Jones, who immigrated to Australia from Wales in 1963.[1] His father adopted a double-barrelled surname to honour Beech-Jones' paternal grandmother, who died from ovarian cancer when his father was a child.[2]
Beech-Jones grew up in Savage River, a small mining town on the west coast of Tasmania, where his father held a management position.[1][3] He had to complete his secondary education elsewhere as the local high school ended after year 10.[2] His family also lived in Montreal, Canada, from 1975 to 1977.[1]
Beech-Jones graduated from the Australian National University in 1988 with the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws.[1]
Legal career
Beech-Jones began practising law in
Beech-Jones was appointed to the
On 22 August 2023, his appointment to the High Court of Australia was announced, to take effect on 6 November 2023. He is the first High Court justice born in Tasmania.[6]
Personal life
Beech-Jones is married to Australian playwright Suzie Miller, with whom he has two children.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Swearing-in Speech - Justice Beech-Jones" (PDF).
- ^ a b Pelly, Michael (24 August 2023). "Playwright on a high over judgment day". Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ Pelly, Michael (19 October 2023). "That's a rap: raucous send-off for new High Court judge". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ "The Hon Justice Robert Beech-Jones" (PDF). Bar News: The Journal of the NSW Bar Association: 70. March 2012.
- ^ "Media Release - Appointment of Beech-Jones CJ at CL". 11 August 2021. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021.
- ^ "New High Court chief justice Stephen Gageler formally acknowledges Indigenous Australians during swearing-in ceremony". ABC News. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.