Greg Geason sworn in as successor to outgoing Tasmanian Supreme Court Justice Shan Tennent

TASMANIA has a new Supreme Court judge. Find out why he’s the best man for the job.

New Supreme Court judge Gregory Geason. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

TASMANIA’S newest Supreme Court judge is Hobart lawyer Gregory Geason — who was best man at Premier Will Hodgman’s wedding.

Mr Geason took his seat as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania after being sworn in by Governor Kate Warner at a ceremonial sitting on Thursday.

A State Government spokesman said because Mr Geason was best man at Mr Hodgman’s wedding 18 years ago, the Premier delegated the recommendation of a new judge to the Justice Minister and “absented himself from all relevant Cabinet deliberations”.

Mr Hodgman spoke of Mr Geason’s broad and extensive career and congratulated him on the appointment.

Mr Geason has vowed to live up to the expectations of the prestigious role as he is officially appointed the state’s sixth judge, repalcing Shan Tennent, who retired earlier this year.

MORE: TENNENT HAILED AS A TRAILBLAZER

With more than 30 years experience in civil and criminal matters in state and federal courts, Mr Geason had practised privately and within the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He relinquished his roles as chairman of the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal, and Parole Board of Tasmania to take his position on the bench.

Lawyer Guy Abel, left, has a chat with Attorney-General and Premier Will Hodgman before the swearing-in ceremony for Tasmania’s newest Supreme Court judge. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Mr Geason thanked his family for the sacrifices that had been made to allow him to get to this point in his career.

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

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

“Today is not really about me, but this position. These are not the robes of an important person — for I am not — but the robes of an important role.”

Tasmanian Bar Association vice-president Phillip Zeeman said patience and courtesy had been a hallmark of Mr Geason’s career to date.

Tasmanian Bar Association vice-president Phillip Zeeman having his say at the judicial event. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Law Society of Tasmania president Will Justo said he hoped the new judge would have the power to use his discretion in all decisions.

The Government had been pushing for mandatory sentences for serious sexual offences against children and has legislation before the parliament for mandatory six-month sentences for those who assault off-duty police officers.

“It’s important for judges to be able to exercise their discretion because imposing mandatory sentences leads to injustices,” Mr Justo said.

“There’s nothing that suggests mandatory sentences help or are a deterrent of crime.”