Kristina Stern SC appointed as a Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of NSW

Thursday, 11 May 2023

Attorney General Michael Daley has made his first judicial appointment, announcing that Kristina Stern SC will be appointed as a Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of NSW.

“Dr Stern is widely recognised as a leading public law and commercial silk,” Mr Daley said.

“She is one of the most highly regarded lawyers in her fields and is a fantastic addition to the Supreme Court.”

“I am committed to ensuring that our justice system adequately reflects the community, so it is noteworthy that my first judicial appointment is a woman.”

Prior to moving to Australia Dr Stern was at the London bar for ten years, before which she lectured in law at Kings College London and completed her Ph.D. at Cambridge University.

Dr Stern has appeared in significant complex commercial and administrative law disputes including in the Hobart International Airport  and in the Mount Bruce Mining litigation in the High Court, in the Julian Wright and the Hope Downs litigation and for Meta in ongoing proceedings by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

She is chair of the NSW Bar Association Inquests and Inquiries Committee and has appeared at numerous inquests and inquiries including into death of cricketer Phillip Hughes, and those associated with the Quakers Hill Nursing Home fire and the Dungog floods.

She also represented the Commonwealth’s interests in the defamation trial brought by war veteran and Victoria Cross holder Ben Roberts-Smith.

Dr Stern will replace Justice Paul Brereton who is to lead Australia’s new National Anti-Corruption Commission.