Two new magistrates appointed to Local Court

15 February 2024

Attorney General Michael Daley today announced the appointment of two prosecutors as magistrates to the NSW Local Court, Megan Heywood and Sean Hughes.

Ms Heywood is a barrister with more than 25 years experience and has dedicated her career to the public administration of justice, spanning New South Wales and interstate.

For most of the past two decades she has worked with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, where her focus since 2007 has been appearing in jury trials. 

Ms Heywood was first appointed a Crown Prosecutor in Queensland in 2008 and also co-founded a law firm there before relocating to New South Wales and commencing with the NSW ODPP in 2018 as a Solicitor Advocate.

Ms Heywood is currently a Crown Prosecutor in the NSW ODPP based in Sydney, a role she was appointed to in early 2022.

Mr Hughes is a barrister with almost 20 years at the Bar, mainly in criminal law both defending and prosecuting in NSW Supreme and District Court jury trials.

Across almost 30 years, he has worked with NSW Police, Legal Aid NSW, private practice and the NSW ODPP.

In 2010, Mr Hughes started prosecuting as counsel for the ODPP and two years later was appointed Crown Prosecutor. He then rose to Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor in 2021, a position he currently holds.

Sean Hughes will be sworn in on 27 February 2024 and Megan Heywood will be sworn in the following day.

Quotes attributable to Attorney General Michael Daley:

“I congratulate Ms Heywood and Mr Hughes on their appointments as magistrates.

“The Local Court is the backbone of the NSW justice system, with almost all criminal and civil matters starting there. Both individuals will bring a rich range of skills and experience to the bench and will help the State continue delivering justice for the community.”

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