Jackie Hartnett first additional magistrate appointed in Tasmania since 2009

A Tasmanian prosecutor bestowed with the title of Senior Counsel just days ago has now been named the state’s newest magistrate.

Jackie Hartnett will be predominantly based at the Hobart Magistrates Court. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

CROWN prosecutor Jackie Hartnett had already made Tasmanian legal history this month with her appointment as only the fifth female lawyer to ever “take silk” in Tasmania.

But three days after being bestowed the title of Senior Counsel, Ms Hartnett struck gold again with Attorney-General Elise Archer announcing her on Monday as Tasmania’s ninth-ever permanent female magistrate.

Jackie Hartnett. Picture: SUPPLIED

The “overwhelmed and honoured” lawyer is the state’s first additional magistrate since 2009, and will take to the bench as of June 29, adding to a team of 15 other magistrates, including five women.

Currently an assistant director at the Office of Public Prosecutions, Ms Hartnett said it was great to see recognition for women in her field.

She said it had been rewarding to help vulnerable people who came to trust the prosecutors, adding it had been “a privilege and an honour” to work for the office.

Ms Hartnett, who will be based in Hobart, but also travel statewide to assist other regions, follows in the footsteps of the state’s first female silk Tamar Jago, who was appointed in 2010 before joining the bench as a magistrate in 2016.

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Helen Lambert was the state’s first female magistrate appointed in 1994.

Current Chief Magistrate Catherine Geason was the first woman to take that role in 2016.

Ms Hartnett has chaired the Law Society of Tasmania’s Criminal Law Committee since 2010, and also lectures at the University of Tasmania.