- Ruth Dineen appointed as a Magistrate of the WA Magistrates Court
- She previously headed the Aboriginal Legal Service criminal law unit
Experienced criminal lawyer Ruth Dineen has been appointed as a Magistrate of the Magistrates Court of Western Australia.
She fills the position left vacant by the pending retirement of Magistrate Kevin Tavener.
Admitted to practice in 1996, Ms Dineen joins the judiciary after having spent much of her recent legal career at the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA (ALS).
Since 2024, she has managed the ALS' Perth criminal law unit as a senior managing lawyer.
In two prior periods with the ALS, she served as a lawyer for the same unit.
Ms Dineen has appeared as counsel in criminal matters and delivered duty lawyer services in metropolitan and regional courts.
She has also appeared as counsel at hearings including summary trials, pleas in mitigation, bail applications and directions hearings.
Ms Dineen's ALS background has enabled her to develop a strong working knowledge of the Magistrates, Children's and District Courts as well as bail support, custody notification, youth engagement and work and development services.
She commences in her new role as a Magistrate on 30 September 2025.
As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
"I congratulate Ms Ruth Dineen on her appointment as a Magistrate of the Magistrates Court of Western Australia.
"She gained extensive experience as a criminal lawyer with the Aboriginal Legal Service and will be a welcome addition to the court as it manages a heavy caseload.
"I wish her well. I also take this opportunity to thank Kevin Tavener for his distinguished service as a Magistrate over the past 15 years including presiding in the Start (mental health) Court."
