Western Australia Attorney General John Quigley

Three New Appointments To The Family Court Announced

Victor P Taffa

• New Chief Judge, judge and magistrate appointed to the Family Court of Western Australia
• Appointments effective from January 7, 2019

Attorney General John Quigley is pleased to announce three new appointments to the Family Court of Western Australia.

From January 7, 2019, Justice Gail Sutherland, Magistrate Ciara Tyson and Neil Anderson will commence in their new roles as Chief Judge, judge and magistrate respectively.

Justice Gail Sutherland

Justice Sutherland has worked in family law for the majority of her legal career.

She was appointed as Registrar and Magistrate of the Family Court of Western Australia in November 2010 before being appointed Principal Registrar in September 2017.

Justice Sutherland was appointed as a Justice of the Family Court of Western Australia on March 16, 2018.

Magistrate Ciara Tyson

Ms. Tyson was admitted in 1996 and has practised extensively as a family law practitioner until 2015, when she was appointed as a Magistrate and Registrar of the Family Court of Western Australia.

She has been regarded as a leader in her work as a nationally accredited mediator and an Accredited Family Law Specialist in both New South Wales and Western Australia.

Neil Anderson

Mr. Anderson was admitted to practice in 2000 and has extensive experience in family law, working in both private practice and the public sector.

He acted as a solicitor in a number of private firms until 2010, when he joined the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia where he has been since August 2014.

Recently, he played a key role in assisting the Family Court to set up a pilot project to provide services to Aboriginal families in the East Pilbara.

“Between them, Justice Sutherland, Ms. Tyson and Mr. Anderson will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Family Court. I congratulate them on their appointments and wish them all the best.” Attorney General John Quigley said.