Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury has announced four appointments to the ACT Magistrates Court to further strengthen the delivery of justice in the territory.

Ian Temby has been named as a new Magistrate, and will commence in the role on 30 January. Mr Temby has more than 20 years’ experience as a litigation lawyer working across courts and tribunals in various jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth, ACT, NSW, and Victoria. He has experience in administrative law, commercial law, property disputes, coronial inquiries, royal commissions, and investigations. 

ACT Crown Prosecutor Rebecca Christensen SC, Adelaide barrister Sean Richter, and barrister Dr Gregor Urbas will join the Court as Special Magistrates.

“I congratulate all four individuals on their appointments, and look forward to their service to the Canberra community on the ACT Magistrates Court,” Mr Rattenbury said.

Appointed Senior Counsel last year, Ms Christensen has worked in the Office of the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions since 2016, with previous experience in Queensland, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.

Sean Richter has more than 25 years’ experience as a barrister, solicitor, and police prosecutor, practising primarily in the criminal, civil, industrial, and workers’ compensation jurisdictions.

An Adjunct Associate Professor of Law at the Australian National University, Dr Urbas is internationally recognised for his expertise in cybercrime, evidence law, and intellectual property enforcement.

The three Special Magistrates will take up their positions on the bench on 18 January, for three years.