Wayne Martin (judge)

The Honourable Wayne Martin AC, QC
Chief Justice of Western Australia
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 May 2006
Preceded by	David Malcolm
Lieutenant-Governor of Western Australia
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 October 2009
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor	Ken Michael (2009–2011) Malcolm McCusker (2011–2014) Kerry Sanderson (2014–)
Preceded by	David Malcolm
Personal details
Born	28 December 1952 Perth, Western Australia
Alma mater	University of Western Australia King's College London Christ Church Grammar School

Wayne Stewart Martin AC (born 28 December 1952) is the current Chief Justice of Western Australia. He was formally appointed on 1 May 2006.^[1] Martin is also the Lieutenant-Governor of Western Australia, having been sworn in on 9 October 2009.^[2] In that role, he has served as Administrator of the State on two occasions when the position of Governor of Western Australia is vacant: from 2 May to 1 July 2011, following the expiration of Ken Michael's term, and from 1 July 2014 to October 2014, following the expiration of Malcolm McCusker's term.^[3]

Early life and education

Martin was born on 28 December 1952 and attended North Perth Primary School and Christ Church Grammar School. He graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1973, with a Bachelor of Laws and First Class Honours. Martin completed his articled clerkship with Lavan & Walsh, and subsequently completed a Master of Laws degree at King's College London. He was admitted to practice in Western Australia in 1977, and was a partner of the law firm Keall Brinsden (now Corrs Chambers Westgarth) until joining the independent bar in 1988.^[1] He was made a QC in 1993.^[4]

Legal career

In addition to his work as a barrister, Martin is a former chairman of the Western Australian Law Reform Commission,^[4] president of the Administrative Review Council,<ref news"AIJA">AIJA Tribunals Conference, "Recent publications of the Administrative Review Council, Including Preparing Statements of Reasons - June 2003"</ref> chair of the Defamation Law Reform Committee^[1] and president of the Western Australia Bar Association.^[1][4] In addition, he is a former president of the Law Society of Western Australia^[4] and a director of the Law Council of Australia.^[4]

Judicial career

Since becoming Chief Justice, Martin has spoken out about the need to enhance access to justice and improve the efficiency of the legal system.^[5][6] He has also come to the defence of the legal system in the wake of criticisms in some sections of the media that resulted from several high-profile miscarriages of justice.^[7] As chief justice of the WA Supreme Court Justice Martin earns a salary of $396,545, which will increase with effect from 1 July 2010 to $408,441.^[8]

Honours

On 11 June 2012, Chief Justice Martin was named an Companion of the Order of Australia for "eminent service to the judiciary and to the law, particularly as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, to legal reform and education, and to the community."^[9]

See also

• Judiciary of Australia

References

1. Supreme Court of Western Australia, "The Hon. Chief Justice Wayne Stewart Martin", Supreme Court of Western Australia
2. (9 October 2009). "WA's top judge becomes 'reserve Governor'" – WAtoday. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
3. "I am currently serving as Administrator of the State pending the appointment of Governor Designate McCusker." Wayne Martin (17 June 2011). "The Supreme Court of Western Australia 1861 - 2011: Administering Justice for the Community for 150 years" – Supreme Court of Western Australia. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
4. "Welcome to the Honourable Chief Justice Martin" (pdf) (Press release). Supreme Court of Western Australia. 2006-05-01. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
5. Martin, Wayne (2006-08-12). "Bridging the Gap" (pdf). National Access to Justice and Pro Bono Conference: 24. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
6. "Supreme Court reform announced by Chief Justice" (pdf) (Press release). Supreme Court of Western Australia. 2006-08-31. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
7. "WA Criminal Justice System" (pdf) (Press release). Supreme Court of Western Australia. 2006-08-08. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
8. http://www.sat.wa.gov.au/index.cfm?event=judiciaryItem20091127
9. "Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia - The Queen's Birthday 2012 Honours Lists" (PDF). Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia. 11 June 2012. p. 7.