The Andrews Labor Government has today appointed Justin Hannebery QC and Julie Clayton as judges of the County Court.
Both Mr Hannebery QC and Ms Clayton bring a wealth of experience to their new roles, as well as diverse legal backgrounds and areas of specialisation.
Mr Hannebery QC has experience across a range of areas including Criminal Law and Professional Disciplinary Tribunals, inquests and Royal Commissions.
Mr Hannebery QC was admitted to the legal practice in 1996 and has primarily focused on criminal law - since signing the Bar Roll in 1998, he has appeared in more than 100 jury trials, including criminal proceedings in the Country Court for both the defence and prosecution.
He was also a Director of the Law Council of Australia until November 2020 and served on the Victorian Bar Council for 11 years.
Mr Hannebery QC holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Monash University.
Ms Clayton has worked as a Solicitor since 1996 and specialises in workers' compensation, professional liability and institutional sexual abuse cases, she has been the Common Law Judicial Registrar at the Supreme Court of Victoria since 2017.
Prior to that she was a Principal Lawyer working in personal injury and class action litigation for over twenty years. She also held a position as legal member on the Mental Health Review Tribunal for five years.
Ms Clayton has a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne.
Justin Hannebery QC and Julie Clayton will replace her Honour Frances Milane and her Honour Susan Cohen, who have since retired.
Mr Hannebery QC will commence his appointment on 8 December 2020, while Ms Clayton will begin on 25January 2021.
As stated by Attorney-General Jill Hennessy
"Mr Justin Hannebery QC and Julie Clayton bring extensive experience that span diverse areas of the legal progression - they will make a great contribution to the County Court bench."
"I would like to thank her Honour Frances Milane and her Honour Susan Cohen for serving the Victorian community with integrity and fairness for more than 30 years - and wish them the very best for what's to come."
