The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) is pleased to welcome the following judicial appointments announced today by the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Michelle Rowland MP.
| Appointment | Registry |
|---|---|
| Senior Judicial Registrar Frances Neilson | Parramatta |
| Senior Judicial Registrar Corey Jenkins | Townsville |
| National Judicial Registrar Amelia Edwards | Melbourne |
| Ms Philippa Mitchell | Melbourne |
All Judges will commence on 3 February 2026.
The Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) ('the Courts'), the Honourable William Alstergren AO, welcomes today's announcement by the Commonwealth Attorney-General of four new Judges to the Court.
"It is extremely pleasing to welcome these timely appointments, two of whom are currently serving as Senior Judicial Registrars in the family law jurisdiction, and one as a National Judicial Registrar in the general federal law jurisdiction of the Court.
All appointments come with exceptional experience and skills, and on behalf of the Court, I am delighted to welcome the appointment of such esteemed and eminently qualified individuals to the Bench.
"I warmly welcome the new Judges who will play a critical part in the Court's future and serving the Australian community," the Chief Justice added.
Biographical details:
Senior Judicial Registrar Frances Neilson - Parramatta Registry
SJR Neilson graduated from UNSW in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws and was admitted as an Australian Legal Practitioner in the Supreme Court of NSW in 1992. Ms Neilson commenced practice in 1992, moving to NSW Legal Aid as a family law solicitor in 1995 where she specialised in child representation as well undertaking senior management roles. Ms Neilson appeared in the then Federal Circuit Court of Australia, Family Court of Australia and the NSW Children's Court and Local Court. During this time, Ms Neilson attained a Masters of Law (Hons) and held Specialist Accreditation in Family Law. In January 2022, Ms Neilson was appointed as a Senior Judicial Registrar of the FCFCOA (Division 1) and FCFCOA (Division 2) in the Parramatta Registry.
Senior Judicial Registrar Corey Jenkins - Townsville Registry
SJR Jenkins graduated in 2007 from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology and Criminal Justice), and subsequently graduated from Charles Darwin University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Laws. SJR Jenkins also completed a Masters in Family Law from the College of Law and Masters in Business Administration in 2017 from the Australian Institute of Business. Mr Jenkins was admitted as a Legal Practitioner to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2009. SJR Jenkins was Director of Jenkin Lawyers Pty Ltd from 2013 until 2016, a Family Lawyer for Legal Aid Queensland from 2016 until 2021. In 2021, Mr Jenkins was appointed as a Senior Judicial Registrar of the FCFCOA (Division 1) and FCFCOA (Division 2) in the Cairns Registry.
National Judicial Registrar Amelia Edwards - Melbourne Registry
Ms Edwards graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in 2010. She subsequently completed a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne in 2017. Ms Edwards was admitted as a Legal Practitioner in 2011.
Ms Edwards started her legal career as a Solicitor in 2011, before service as a Senior Associate in 2016 at Herbert Smith Freehills in the dispute resolution team. Ms Edwards also served as an Associate to the Hon Justice Mordecai Bromberg from 2018 to 2019. Ms Edwards has served as a National Judicial Registrar at the Federal Court of Australia and the FCFCOA (Division 2) since 2020, presiding over cases in the fair work, administrative and judicial review, migration, discrimination, human rights, consumer, intellectual property and bankruptcy jurisdictions.
Ms Philippa Mitchell - Melbourne Registry
Ms Mitchell graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelors of Laws from the University of Melbourne in 2003. She was admitted as Legal Practitioner in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2005. Ms Mitchell began her legal career as an Articled Clerk, progressing to a Lawyer, Senior Associate, and ultimately Special Counsel at Clayton Utz from 2004 to 2017. She is currently a Partner at Clayton Utz. Ms Mitchell has considerable experience advising, acting (and appearing) in judicial review proceedings in State and Federal courts and tribunals, including in migration.
