Judge Lisa Hannan appointed as Victoria’s new chief magistrate
A highly respected County Court judge known for her sharp intellect and no-nonsense style has been appointed the state’s new chief magistrate, marking the first time equal representation has been achieved in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
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One of the state’s most respected County Court judges will take over as Victoria’s new chief magistrate.
Judge Lisa Hannan was today announced as the replacement of current chief magistrate Peter Lauritsen when he retires later this year.
Judge Hannan will commence on November 17, and her appointment will mark the first time in Victoria’s history that equal representation has been achieved in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
Her posting to the court’s top job has been described in legal circles as a “sensible choice”.
“Judge Hannan is a highly experienced, respected and capable Judge who will perform the role of Chief Magistrate with distinction,” Attorney General Jill Hennessy said.
“I congratulate Judge Hannan on her appointment and look forward to her continued contribution to the Victorian legal system.”
“I also want to thank retiring Chief Magistrate Peter Lauritsen on his profound tenure as Chief Magistrate. I look forward to marking his enormous contribution to Victoria further upon his retirement later this year.”
It will be a return to the court for the experienced judge, who was first appointed a magistrate in 1998.
Six months after her appointment to the Magistrates’ Court, she was appointed to hear the longest running and most complex extradition hearing in Australian legal history.
Her work at the court was described as “superb” and she was quickly appointed State Supervising Magistrate for the criminal jurisdiction.
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While at the court, she was responsible for implementing the specialist sexual offences list.
She was appointed a County Court judge in 2006 and in 2016 took the reins as head of the court’s criminal division.
Judge Hannan is known around the court not only for her sharp intellect, but her rapid-fire style of moving through cases.
It is expected she will move quickly to address the court's ’s dramatically increasing caseload.
Judge Hannan said it was a privilege to work with the County Court for 13 years, but was excited about starting in the top job in her return to the magistrates court.
“I look forward to joining the hardworking Magistrates and staff of a modern, innovative Court dedicated to serving the Victorian community,” she said.
“I am grateful for the confidence shown in me by the Attorney General and the Government.
“I acknowledge the many achievements of Chief Magistrate Peter Lauritsen and wish His Honour the best for the future.
“I thank Chief Judge Peter Kidd and all the judges and staff of the County Court.”
Judge Lauritsen is due to retire in November after seven years running the magistrates court.
Judge Lauritsen was appointed as a magistrate for the Northern Territory in 1987 before being appointed as a Victorian magistrate in 1989.
He replaced Ian Gray in 2012 as the court’s chief magistrate.
Judge Lauritsen congratulated Judge Hannan on her appointment.
“I had the privilege of working with Judge Hannan when she was a magistrate, and she has since distinguished herself as a coroner and a County Court judge,” he said.
“I am honoured to have been Victoria’s Chief Magistrate for the past seven years, and to have served as a magistrate for 30 years.
“I wish to thank my judicial colleagues for their support over the past years, and the executive and staff of the Magistrates’ Court who work tirelessly to ensure the proper administration of justice.”
Judge Lauritsen said he would continue work as a reserve judge of the County Court.