Former DPP Wojciech Jacek “Jack” Karczewski KC remembered for service to Territory legal profession

The former Director of Public Prosecutions is being remembered for his decades of service to the administration of justice in the NT.

Jack Karczewski KC died late last year aged 71.

The former Director of Public Prosecutions in the Northern Territory is being honoured for decades of service to the legal profession after his death.

Wojciech Jacek “Jack” Karczewski KC passed away in Brisbane late last year after an almost four-decade career in the NT.

He was 71.

Groups including the Criminal Lawyers Association of the NT, the Law Society of the NT and the Judges of the Supreme Court marked his passing “with great sadness”.

“Jack’s contribution to the administration of justice in the Northern Territory and in particular to the (NT Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions) is immeasurable,” the Criminal Lawyers Association said in a statement.

Jack Karczewski was Director of Public Prosecutions from 2013 to 2021.

Mr Karczewski was admitted as a lawyer in the Territory in 1984, following his admission to practice in Queensland in 1974 and to the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea in 1975.

He was appointed Queen’s Counsel – now King’s Counsel – in 2001, one of the highest honours a barrister can attain.

In 2013 Mr Karczewski became Director of Public Prosecutions in the Territory, a role in which he “worked tirelessly” until his retirement in 2021.

The Law Society Northern Territory recognised Mr Karczewski’s “long contribution to the legal profession” extending “sincere condolences” to his loved ones.

Mr Karczewski is survived by his wife Anna, his two daughters and his son.

He was a member of the Royal Australian Air Force Specialist Reserve (Legal), holding the rank of Wing Commander.

Mr Karczewski was also a member of the Bar Council from 2000 to 2019, a member of the Executive of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association from its inception in 1986 to 2008, a member of the Council of Law Reporting from its inception in 1992 until 2021.

Originally published as Former DPP Wojciech Jacek “Jack” Karczewski KC remembered for service to Territory legal profession