Alexandra Burt has been appointed as a new ACT Magistrate.
“The appointment of an eighth Magistrate for the Territory will strengthen the ACT Magistrates Court in its timely and efficient delivery of justice to the Canberra community,” ACT Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury said.
Ms Burt has more than 18 years’ experience in legal practice. She graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours. She was admitted as a lawyer in 2005.
Ms Burt most recently served as a Magistrate in the Victorian Magistrates Court in Shepparton. Before this, she was a respected barrister practising in criminal and administrative law and appearing in both federal and state courts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the Mental Health Tribunal, the Forensic Leave Panel, the Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, and Victoria Legal Aid.
“I am delighted that a judicial officer of Ms Burt’s calibre will join the ACT Magistrates Court,” Mr Rattenbury said. “Ms Burt will bring immense experience to her new role, having worked across diverse backgrounds and subject matters.”
Ms Burt will begin her new role on 15 January 2024.
Two additional Acting Judges have been appointed to the ACT Supreme Court, Rebecca Christensen and Dr Anthony Hopkins.
Ms Christensen and Dr Hopkins, both currently Special Magistrates of the ACT Magistrates Court, will help the ACT Supreme Court to flexibly manage its workload.
Ms Christensen was appointed a Special Magistrate in December 2022, after being appointed a Senior Counsel in 2021. She has worked in the Office of the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, Queensland, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.
Dr Hopkins was appointed a Special Magistrate in 2021. He is a leading Australian authority on therapeutic jurisprudence and has a deep expertise in criminal law. An Associate Professor at the ANU College of Law, he has practised as a barrister in the ACT since 2010. He began his legal practice in 2002 with the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission, then worked with the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Service in Alice Springs.
“I congratulate all three individuals and look forward to their service to the Canberra community,” Mr Rattenbury said.
