Supreme Court judge on leave over ‘significant matter’ Attorney-General Guy Barnett says

A Supreme Court judge has been asked to take leave over “significant matter”, Attorney-General Guy Barnett has revealed in a brief statement. More details.

Chief Justice Alan Blow OAM. Supreme Court of Tasmania judges. Picture: SUPPLIED

Supreme Court Justice Gregory Geason has been asked to take leave over “a significant matter”.

The Mercury understands he was served with a police family violence order on Thursday night.

Attorney-General Guy Barnett issued a three-line media release announcing the decision on Friday afternoon.

It did not name the judge, the nature of the matter, or how it would be resolved.

“Today I met with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in relation to a significant matter involving a judge,” Mr Barnett said.

“The Chief Justice has asked the judge to take leave until further notice.

Supreme Court of Tasmania Justice Gregory Geason

“As Attorney-General, I take this matter very seriously and will consider any further action as appropriate.”

Comment was sought from the Supreme Court.

Tasmania Police issued a short statement.

“Tasmania Police has received inquiries in relation to whether an individual was the subject of a police family violence order,” a spokeswoman said.

“Police do not provide comment in relation to police family violence orders.”

Justice Geason, who was best man at former Premier Will Hodgman’s wedding, was appointed to the Supreme Court Bench in 2017.

The job currently carries a salary of around $500,000 a year.

A Supreme Court judge can only be suspended or removed from office by the Governor on an address from both Houses of Parliament seeking such suspension or removal on the grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity.

No findings have been made against Justice Geason and he is not accused of any criminal wrongdoing.

At the time of his appointment, he was hailed as having 30 years of experience in civil and criminal matters in state and federal courts.

“The court will have before it the unfortunate and the fortunate, the powerful and the weak, the strong and the broken,” he said at his swearing-in.

“I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations of me.”

Justice Geason was counselled by the Chief Justice in 2021 after he was seen kissing his female Associate in a Hobart nightclub.

He was at Hobart nightspot the Grand Poobah following the Law Society of Tasmania’s “Opening of the Legal Year” dinner.

Justice Geason was witnessed by several of those in attendance who say they were alarmed to see him kissing his Associate in public.

Judges are expected to comply with a set of guidelines that state they should “exercise discretion in personal relationships”.

Supreme Court Judge Gregory Geason swearing in ceremony in the Supreme Court in Hobart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

A statement from the Supreme Court confirmed at the time that while no official complaint had been made, it was aware of the incident.

“Concerns have been expressed to the Chief Justice about a judge’s conduct involving a staff member,” the statement said of the 2021 incident.

“The inappropriate conduct involved close personal contact that occurred at a social occasion on 29 January.”

“Justice Geason had been counselled and the Associate, who cannot be named for privacy reasons, has been provided support. There is no suggestion of inappropriate conduct on the part of the Associate.

“The staff member has been provided with information as to all options and offered support.”

The Supreme Court also confirmed Chief Justice Alan Blow had counselled the judge in relation to the 2021 allegations concerning his behaviour stating further steps may be taken “depending on what he considers appropriate”.

The associate subsequently lodged a complaint against the State with Equal Opportunity Tasmania that she was forced out of her job when her relationship with Justice Geason was made public.

Before being appointed as a judge, Justice Geason practised privately and with the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as well as serving as the chairman of the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal, and the Parole Board of Tasmania. He was also at various time the Law Society of Tasmania president, Criminal Injuries Compensation commissioner, a member of the Local Government Association of Tasmania’s standards panel and on the University of Tasmania’s law faculty teaching and learning committee. Justice Geason was not accused of involvement in the associate losing her job.

Originally published as Supreme Court judge on leave over ‘significant matter’ Attorney-General Guy Barnett says