Helen Bowskill Explained

Helen Bowskill is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, the highest ranking court in the Australian state of Queensland. She was appointed to Chief Justice on 19 March 2022.[1] She previously served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland (2017–2022), Senior Judge Administrator (2021–22), and a judge of the District Court of Queensland, the Childrens Court of Queensland and the Planning and Environment Court of Queensland (2014–17).

As Chief Justice, she can serve as Acting Governor of Queensland when the Governor is unavailable.[2] [3]

Education

Bowskill graduated from the Queensland University of Technology in 1995 with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours). Previously, she completed one year of a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Queensland, before switching into a communications degree at the Queensland University of Technology. She then enrolled in the drama program at that university, but only continued until the end of her orientation week. She then enrolled at the Lorraine Martin Secretarial College and began working as a junior secretary in a barrister’s chambers, which eventually led to her to pursuing a career as a barrister.[4]

Personal life

Bowskill has three daughters, Phoebe, Lucy and Zoe.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Honourable Chief Justice Helen Bowskill . 2023-02-10 . www.sclqld.org.au.
  2. Web site: Constitution of Queensland 2001 - Section 41: Administration of Government by Acting Governor . 14 April 2023 . Australasian Legal Information Institute.
  3. Web site: 14 July 2022 . 2023-04-14 . Government House Queensland . en-AU.
  4. Web site: Atkinson . Peter . 2023-01-18 . Helen Bowskill's inspiring journey from 'junior secretary' to the top of Queensland's legal tree . 2023-02-10 . InQueensland . en.
  5. Web site: Swearing in of Judge Burnett and Judge Bowskill QC . 2023-02-10 . archive.sclqld.org.au.