- The Crisafulli Government has announced the appointment of leading public law and commercial barrister Scott McLeod KC as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland.
- Mr McLeod brings a wealth of legal experience and skill to the bench, after more than three decades as a barrister.
- Funding from MYFER has boosted resources in the justice system, adding an additional Judge to the Supreme Court.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering faster access to justice with the appointment of an additional Judge in Queensland's Supreme Court for the first time since 2018, ensuring victims' cases can be heard sooner.
Scott McLeod KC, an experienced barrister with more than 30 years in the legal profession, will commence as a Supreme Court Justice from 13 April 2026.
The announcement follows the Crisafulli Government's $2.4 million investment to fund two additional Judges and support staff for the Supreme and District Courts, to boost the capacity of the justice system.
Mr McLeod brings extensive experience to the bench, with a wide-ranging private practice as a leading barrister, combining public and commercial law.
Mr McLeod studied at the University of Queensland (UQ) and the University of Cambridge, where he earned both a Master of Laws (Hons) and a Master of Philosophy (International Relations). He also obtained a secondary Master of Laws degree from UQ in 1998.
He began his legal career practicing in Queensland's Crown Law office after serving as associate to two former Supreme Court Judges, Justices McPherson and Dowsett.
In 1992, he was called to the Bar before being appointed as King's Counsel in Queensland in 2018. Mr McLeod has advocated for clients in a broad range of matters in Queensland and Commonwealth courts.
Since 2018, he has chaired the Bar Association of Queensland's Administrative Law Committee. He has also been retained as Counsel in many Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry.
He is well renowned for his expertise in public and administrative law, and specialises in judicial and merits reviews, statutory interpretation, and government and regulatory matters, with his practice advising on building and construction disputes, the validity of commercial transactions, insurance, leases and property, often leading to trials and mediations.
Mr McLeod is also set to take on the additional role of President of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal at the end of Justice Kerri Mellifont's term on 31 July this year.
Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington welcomed Mr McLeod's appointment to the Supreme Court.
"Mr McLeod is a highly skilled and well-respected advocate whose extensive expertise in public, administrative, commercial and industrial law will make him a valuable addition to the court," the Attorney-General said.
"The appointment of an additional Judge to the Supreme Court's complement, along with the extra District Court Judge already sitting on the bench, is boosting the capacity of our courts and delivering on our commitment of faster access to justice for victims of crime."
Scott McLeod KC will be sworn in at a ceremony in the Supreme Court on 13 April 2026.
