The ACT Government has announced the appointment of Justice Louise Taylor as Chief Magistrate of the ACT Magistrates Court and Acting Justice Andrew Muller SC as a Resident Judge of the ACT Supreme Court, filling two senior judicial vacancies that arose in close succession across the Territory's courts.
Attorney-General Tara Cheyne MLA said the appointments reflected the depth and the strength of the ACT's legal profession and the standing Justice Taylor and Acting Justice Muller had earned through their careers in the ACT community.
"Both Justice Taylor and Acting Justice Muller have spent their careers here, practising in our courts, serving our institutions, and building deep, practical knowledge and expertise of the ACT legal landscape," the Attorney-General said.
"Justice Taylor has already demonstrated outstanding leadership and capability across both the Magistrates Court and Supreme Court jurisdictions. She returns to lead the Magistrates Court with additional perspective, experience and authority, by which the ACT community will be exceptionally well served," Ms Cheyne said.
"Acting Justice Muller brings more than three decades of experience in the ACT legal community, including as a former President of the ACT Bar Association, deep civil law expertise, and a proven judicial record in his acting capacity.
"At an important time for our courts, these appointments bring experience, expertise and fresh leadership."
Justice Louise Taylor - Chief Magistrate
Justice Taylor was appointed as a Magistrate in 2018 and as a Resident Judge of the ACT Supreme Court in 2023, having demonstrated exceptional capability across both jurisdictions throughout her judicial career. Justice Taylor was the first Aboriginal woman in Australia to be appointed to a superior court.
Prior to her judicial appointments, Justice Taylor served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the ACT Legal Aid Commission and held senior advocate and practice manager roles with the Office of the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, developing extensive experience as a prosecutor across ACT and Commonwealth jurisdictions.
Justice Taylor has made significant contributions to the ACT community, including a decade of service as Chair of the Women's Legal Centre (ACT) Board, and through appointments to the ACT Domestic Violence Prevention Council, the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council for Women, and the Law Council of Australia's Indigenous Legal Issues Committee.
Justice Taylor will assume the role of Chief Magistrate in May 2026, while continuing to hold her commission as a Resident Judge of the ACT Supreme Court.
Andrew Muller SC - Resident Judge, ACT Supreme Court
Andrew Muller SC has served as an Acting Judge of the ACT Supreme Court since April 2025.
Called to the Bar in 2011 and appointed Senior Counsel in October 2023, Acting Justice Muller has lived and practised in the ACT for more than 30 years. He has previously served as President of the ACT Bar Association and brings particular expertise in civil law. Acting Justice Muller will commence as a Resident Judge on Monday, 13 April 2026.
Quotes attributable to Justice Louise Taylor:
"I am delighted to accept the opportunity to serve as Chief Magistrate of the ACT Magistrates Court whilst retaining my commission as a judge of the ACT Supreme Court. The Magistrates Court is the people's court, the place where many Canberrans experience the justice system.
"The chance to lead the diverse and increasingly complex work of the Magistrates Court is a great honour. This role is a return to a place where I spent much of my career. I take it on with deep respect for the hard-working court staff and Magistrates who faithfully serve our great city in the administration of justice.
"I look forward to taking my place on the bench in this leadership role and I am grateful for the confidence in me that this appointment represents."
Quotes attributable to Acting Justice Andrew Muller SC:
"I look forward to the challenge of supporting the important work of this busy court."
Further Supreme Court appointment
Expressions of interest will shortly be invited for a further appointment as a Resident Judge of the ACT Supreme Court, to maintain the full capacity of the Supreme Court bench.
Eligibility, conditions and terms of appointment are set out in the Supreme Court Act 1933, with selection criteria prescribed in the Supreme Court (Resident Judges Appointment Requirements) Determination 2026 (No 1).
