Attorney General John Quigley is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Owen as Western Australia's Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Mr Owen had been performing the role of Acting DPP for the past three months, replacing Amanda Forrester SC, who was DPP for five years before being appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court on 1 July 2022.
A former police and intelligence officer with the WA Police Force and the Corruption and Crime Commission, Mr Owen was admitted to practice as a lawyer in 2008.
In 2011 he started Owen Criminal Lawyers, before joining the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA in 2013 where he served as Counsel, and oversaw a large criminal caseload.
Between May 2019 and May 2022, Mr Owen was both a Senior State Prosecutor and Acting Senior Consultant State Prosecutor for the Office of the DPP, managing complex court matters and assisting other prosecutors.
Most recently in his capacity as Acting Senior Consultant State Prosecutor, he headed a trial team with oversight of senior prosecutors and their matters proceeding to trial.
Mr Owen's five-year term will take effect on 18 October 2022.
As stated by Attorney General John Quigley:
"I congratulate Mr Owen on his appointment to the position of Director of Public Prosecutions.
"Mr Owen was selected from a highly competitive field of candidates due to his ability to not only manage a large office, but also to implement innovative ideas and deliver improvements in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
"He has discharged his responsibilities as Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, and immediately prior to this as Acting Senior Consultant State Prosecutor, with exceptional skill and competence.
"Mr Owen has been instrumental in the effective and professional representation of WA in complex superior court matters, including homicide and corruption cases."
