The Honourable
Wayne Martin
AC KC
Lieutenant-Governor of Western Australia
In office
9 October 2009 – 27 November 2019
MonarchElizabeth II
GovernorKen Michael
Malcolm McCusker
Kerry Sanderson
Kim Beazley
Preceded byDavid Malcolm
Succeeded byPeter Quinlan
Chief Justice of Western Australia
In office
1 May 2006 – 27 July 2018
Nominated byAlan Carpenter
Appointed byKen Michael
Preceded byDavid Malcolm
Succeeded byPeter Quinlan
Personal details
Born (1952-12-28) 28 December 1952 (age 71)
Perth, Western Australia
Alma materUniversity of Western Australia
King's College London
Christ Church Grammar School

Wayne Stewart Martin AC KC (born 28 December 1952) is a lawyer and former judge who served as Chief Justice of Western Australia from 2006 until 2018, and Lieutenant-Governor of Western Australia from 2009 to 2019.[1]

Early life and education

Martin was born on 28 December 1952 and attended North Perth Primary School and Christ Church Grammar School. He graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1973, with a Bachelor of Laws and First Class Honours. Martin completed his articled clerkship with Lavan & Walsh, and subsequently completed a Master of Laws degree at King's College London. He was admitted to practice in Western Australia in 1977, and was a partner of the law firm Keall Brinsden (now Corrs Chambers Westgarth) until joining the independent bar in 1988.[2] He was made a QC in 1993.[3]

Legal career

In addition to his work as a barrister, Martin is a former chairman of the Western Australian Law Reform Commission,[3] president of the Administrative Review Council,[4] and president of the Western Australia Bar Association.[2][3] In addition, he is a former president of the Law Society of Western Australia[3] and a director of the Law Council of Australia.[3]

Judicial career

As Chief Justice, Martin spoke out about the need to enhance access to justice and improve the efficiency of the legal system.[5][6] He also came to the defence of the legal system in the wake of criticisms in some sections of the media that resulted from several high-profile miscarriages of justice.[7]

Martin instigated several changes to modernise the courts in Western Australia, including abolishing the traditional wigs and jabots,[8] publishing sentencing comments online, and allowing the use of electronic devices and social media when covering court cases.[9]

In his role as Lieutenant-Governor, he has served as Administrator of the State on two occasions when the position of Governor of Western Australia is vacant: from 2 May to 1 July 2011, following the expiration of Ken Michael's term, and from 1 July 2014 to October 2014, following the expiration of Malcolm McCusker's term.[10]

Martin retired in July 2018.[11]

Honours

On 11 June 2012, Chief Justice Martin was named an Companion of the Order of Australia for "eminent service to the judiciary and to the law, particularly as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, to legal reform and education, and to the community".[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Governor swears-in Chief Justice as Lieutenant Governor" (Press release). Government House, Perth. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b "The Hon. Chief Justice Wayne Stewart Martin AC". Supreme Court of Western Australia. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Welcome to the Honourable Chief Justice Martin" (PDF) (Press release). Supreme Court of Western Australia. 1 May 2006. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
  4. ^ AIJA Tribunals Conference, "Recent publications of the Administrative Review Council, Including Preparing Statements of Reasons - June 2003"
  5. ^ Martin, Wayne (12 August 2006). "Bridging the Gap" (PDF). National Access to Justice and Pro Bono Conference: 24. Retrieved 29 June 2008. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ "Supreme Court reform announced by Chief Justice" (PDF) (Press release). Supreme Court of Western Australia. 31 August 2006. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
  7. ^ "WA Criminal Justice System" (PDF) (Press release). Supreme Court of Western Australia. 8 August 2006. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
  8. ^ "WA judges ditch horsehair wigs". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  9. ^ Jacob Kagi (26 March 2018). "WA Chief Justice Wayne Martin announces plans to retire from top job". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  10. ^ "I am currently serving as Administrator of the State pending the appointment of Governor Designate McCusker." Wayne Martin (17 June 2011). "The Supreme Court of Western Australia 1861 - 2011: Administering Justice for the Community for 150 years" – Supreme Court of Western Australia. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  11. ^ Andrea Mayes (19 July 2018). "Corryn Rayney death 'one of greatest challenges of career': Chief Justice Wayne Martin". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  12. ^ "Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia - The Queen's Birthday 2012 Honours Lists" (PDF). Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia. 11 June 2012. p. 7.

External links

Legal offices Preceded byDavid Malcolm Chief Justice of Western Australia 2006 - 2018 Succeeded byPeter Quinlan
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