Justice Geoffrey Bellew appointed new chair of the State Parole Authority

Thursday, 15 December 2022

Justice Geoffrey Bellew of the Supreme Court has been appointed as the next Chairperson of the State Parole Authority (SPA).

Attorney General Mark Speakman congratulated Justice Bellew on his appointment.

“Justice Bellew brings to the role wide experience in criminal and civil law and a reputation for fair-mindedness, common sense and diligence,” Mr Speakman said.

“As a Supreme Court justice since 2012, his Honour has dealt with some of the most serious and complex cases and we are in his debt for his contribution to upholding the laws of this State.”

First admitted as a legal practitioner in 1983, Justice Bellew began his career in the Sydney Office of Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP).  Admitted to the NSW Bar in 1991, he was appointed a Senior Counsel in 2006 with his practice divided between criminal and civil jurisdictions.

He appeared in many high-profile cases on behalf of the CDPP, involving narcotics importation, revenue fraud and people smuggling, and in several landmark prosecutions of persons charged with terrorism offences – including the longest terrorism trial in Australia’s history when nine persons were charged in relation to Operation Pendennis. 

He is a prodigious legal author, with publishing credits including as co-author and editor of Ritchie’s Uniform Civil Procedure NSW, co-author of Uniform Australian Evidence, general editor of Motor Vehicle Reports and contributor to Court Forms, Precedents and Pleadings, and Federal Civil Litigation Precedents.

Justice Bellew will retire from the Supreme Court on 10 February 2023. He will commence his appointment with the SPA on 11 February 2023.