Hobart magistrate elevated to Supreme Court, as temp judges reappointed to help backlog

Two appointments have been made to the Supreme Court of Tasmania, in the wake of Justice Gregory Geason taking voluntary leave while facing criminal charges.

Deputy chief magistrate Michael Daly has been appointed an associate judge of the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

Two appointments have been made to the Supreme Court of Tasmania, in the wake of Justice Gregory Geason taking voluntary leave while facing criminal charges.

Deputy chief magistrate Michael Daly has been appointed as an associate judge, replacing retired Stephen Holt, while existing part-time acting judge David Porter has now been appointed on a full-time basis.

Attorney-General and Justice Minister Guy Barnett said the appointments had been made in recognition of the court’s ongoing workload, and in a bid to reduce its “significant” case backlog.

Mr Barnett said Mr Daly had a “long and esteemed career in the legal profession” from the time he was admitted to the bar in 1994.

He has been deputy chief magistrate of Tasmania since 2011.Acting Justice Porter, a former full-time judge of the Supreme Court of Tasmania between 2008 and 2016, was initially appointed as an acting judge in 2017.

He was reappointed in 2023 on a part-time basis for two years, but will now act in a full-time capacity until June 30, 2025.

Acting Justice Porter was admitted to the bar in 1978, practising as a barrister and solicitor in Tasmania until 1991 and making silk in 1995.

Acting Justice David Porter has been reappointed on a full-time basis to help with the Supreme Court of Tasmania’s backlog.

The news comes after Acting Justice Brian Martin, who was also initially appointed to that role in the Supreme Court of Tasmania during 2017, was reappointed last November until June this year.

It came after Chief Justice Alan Blow made a request for a short-term appointment to be made to assist the court – given Justice Geason’s period of leave and the retirement of associate judge Stephen Holt last year.

Acting Justice Brian Martin was reappointed to the Supreme Court of Tasmania last year after a request from Chief Justice Alan Blow. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

An associate judge helps the judges in conducting the court’s civil jurisdiction, dealing with procedural matters before they come on for trial, and making assessments of damages in civil cases.

Acting judges are appointed on a non-permanent basis to help with a court’s caseload, and are often retired judges.

Justice Geason has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and emotional abuse and is due to next face the Hobart Magistrates Court on April 30.

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Originally published as Hobart magistrate elevated to Supreme Court, as temp judges reappointed to help backlog