- Justin Geoghegan appointed as a Magistrate of the Magistrates Court of Western Australia
- The experienced legal practitioner brings a strong criminal law background to the role
Justin Geoghegan has been appointed as a Magistrate of the Magistrates Court of Western Australia.
He commences his new role on 11 August 2025, filling the vacancy left by long-serving Magistrate Steven Malley.
Admitted to practice in 2010, Mr Geoghegan's legal career to date has been bookended by two periods as a solicitor with Legal Aid WA.
His most recent stint at Legal Aid included providing duty lawyer services to criminal defendants and then overseeing a large team of duty lawyers as a Legal Aid team leader and managing solicitor.
Between 2013 and 2022, Mr Geoghegan was a director and lawyer at a private law firm that represented clients in criminal law, traffic and restraining order matters.
Mr Malley leaves the court after serving as a Magistrate for more than 37 years at Central Law, Fremantle, Armadale and Rockingham courts. He also sat as Chairman of the Prison Officers Appeal Tribunal from 2010 to 2013.
As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
"I welcome Justin Geoghegan's appointment to the Magistrates Court.
"During his time at Legal Aid and in private practice in the past 15 years, he appeared regularly in a number of courts and frequently worked with clients from culturally diverse backgrounds.
"The significant experience Mr Geoghegan has gained in the criminal justice system will help him quickly make the transition to the judiciary and enable the court to manage a heavy workload.
"I also take this opportunity to thank Magistrate Steven Malley for his distinguished service and contribution to the administration of justice in this State for nearly four decades.
"He presided over a vast number of cases across his long career, which included difficult and high-profile cases."
