Robert Beech-Jones | |
|---|---|
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| Justice of the High Court of Australia | |
| Assumed office 6 November 2023 | |
| Nominated by | Anthony Albanese |
| Appointed by | David Hurley |
| Preceded by | Stephen Gageler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Wynyard, Tasmania, Australia |
| Spouse | Suzie Miller |
| Education | Australian National University |
| Occupation | Barrister |
Robert Beech-Jones is an Australian judge. He was appointed to theHigh Court of Australia in 2023, and previously served as a judge of theSupreme Court of New South Wales from 2012 to 2023.
Robert Beech-Jones was born inWynyard, Tasmania. He is the youngest of four children born to Joan and Mike Beech-Jones, who immigrated to Australia from Wales in 1963.[1] His father adopted adouble-barrelled surname to honour Beech-Jones' paternal grandmother, who died from ovarian cancer when his father was a child.[2]
Beech-Jones grew up inSavage River, a small mining town on thewest coast ofTasmania, where his father held a management position.[1][3] He had to complete his secondary education elsewhere as the local high school ended afteryear 10.[2] His family also lived inMontreal, Canada, from 1975 to 1977.[1]
Beech-Jones graduated from theAustralian National University in 1988 with the degrees ofBachelor of Science andBachelor of Laws.[1]
Beech-Jones began practising law inSydney in the 1980s. He was called to theNew South Wales Bar in 1992, joined 11th Floor St James Hall, and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2006. He practised primarily in the areas ofcommercial law, regulatory enforcement,white collar crime, andadministrative law.[4]
Beech-Jones was appointed to theNew South Wales Supreme Court in 2012 and in August 2021 was appointed the Chief Judge at Common Law and a judge of theNew South Wales Court of Appeal.[5]
On 22 August 2023, his appointment to the High Court of Australia was announced, to take effect on 6 November 2023. He is the first High Court justice born in Tasmania.[6]
Beech-Jones is married to Australian playwrightSuzie Miller, with whom he has two children.[1]
| Legal offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Justice of the High Court of Australia 2023–present | Incumbent |