Ceremonial Sitting of the Full Court
To receive announcement of the appointment of senior counsel in and for the state of Western Australia
Transcript of proceedings
THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE BANKS-SMITH, Presiding
THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE COLVIN
THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE JACKSON
THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE FEUTRILL
THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE VANDONGEN
PERTH
9.00 AM, FRIDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2026
BANKS-SMITH J: Ms Taylor.
MS J. TAYLOR SC: May it please the Court, I move.
BANKS-SMITH J: Thank you. Mr Rynne.
MR M.F. RYNNE SC: If the Court pleases, I have the honour to announce that I have been appointed as Senior Counsel for the State of Western Australia, taking rank and precedence next after Mr Clinton Russell SC.
BANKS-SMITH J: Thank you, Mr Rynne. Mr Wong.
MR S.C.M. WONG SC: I have the honour to announce that I have been appointed as Senior Counsel for the State of Western Australia, taking rank and precedence next after Mr Michael Rynne SC.
BANKS-SMITH J: Thank you, Mr Wong. Mr Zappia.
MR W.C.J. ZAPPIA SC: Yes, your Honour. I have the honour to announce that I have been appointed as Senior Counsel for the State of Western Australia, taking rank and precedence next after Mr Steven Wong SC.
BANKS-SMITH J: Thank you, Mr Zappia. Mr Sharpe.
MR A.K. SHARPE SC: I have the honour to announce that I have been appointed as Senior Counsel for the State of Western Australia, taking rank and precedence next after Mr Wayne Zappia SC.
BANKS-SMITH J: Thank you, Mr Sharpe. Ms Beggs.
MS G.N. BEGGS SC: Your Honours, I have the honour to announce that I have been appointed as Senior Counsel for the State of Western Australia, taking rank and precedence next after Mr Adam Sharpe SC.
BANKS-SMITH J: Thank you Ms Beggs. Ms Millar.
MS H.R. MILLAR SC: May it please the Court, I have the honour to announce that I have been appointed Senior Counsel for the State of Western Australia, taking rank and precedence next after Ms Gemma Beggs.
BANKS-SMITH J: Thank you, Ms Millar. Ms Taggart.
MS C.I. TAGGART SC: May it please the Court, I have the honour to announce that I have been appointed as Senior Counsel for the State of Western Australia, taking rank and precedence next after Ms Heather Millar SC.
BANKS-SMITH J: Thank you, Ms Taggart. Mr Sertorio.
MR B.B. SERTORIO SC: May it please the Court, I have the honour to announce that I have been appointed a Senior Counsel for the State of Western Australia, taking rank and precedence next after Ms Cobey Taggart SC.
BANKS-SMITH J: Thank you, Mr Sertorio. Mr Mossop.
MR A.J.T. MOSSOP SC: May it please the Court, I have the honour to announce that I have been appointed a Senior Counsel for the State of Western Australia, taking rank and precedence after Mr Beau Sertorio SC.
BANKS-SMITH J: Thank you, Mr Mossop. I begin by acknowledging the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which we meet this morning on the banks of the Derbal Yerrigan. On behalf of Chief Justice Mortimer and all of my colleagues on the Federal Court across Australia, thank you for attending today.
I particularly welcome the Chief Justice of Western Australia, Peter Quinlan; the President of the Court of Appeal, Joshua Thomson; and the Chief Judge of the District Court of Western Australia, Julie Wager. I also acknowledge and thank Ms Julie Taylor SC, President of the WA Bar Association, for your role this morning and your attendance. And I acknowledge that we also have Ms Judy McLean, President of the Law Society of Western Australia; and Ms Kate Wellington, the CEO of the Law Society of Western Australia, with us this morning. I also warmly welcome family and friends and your colleagues, and there are many of you, and you’re all here, no doubt, showing your support and interest in the professional careers of our new Silks.
This is a national Court, and similar ceremonies are held each year in the different registries to mark the appointment of Silks. Each registry, of course, plays an important part in its local community, and this Court has its role and presence in the administration of justice in Western Australia.
Most of you appear regularly in this Court, and it is a pleasure to see you in your new gowns. For those of you who don’t because of your professional specialities, we are particularly pleased to have you here this morning, and we welcome you to our Court.
I am not going to speak to you today about your professional obligations and responsibilities. You have received such talks, no doubt, on high rotation, for some months now. You know what is expected of you. You would not have been appointed by the Chief Justice of Western Australia if you were not considered ready and suitable for the task. I simply want to acknowledge the importance of senior Counsel to the administration of justice. A strong and independent profession is vital to a strong and independent Court. We welcome your elevation. We note the contribution you have made to date, and we look forward to what is to come. We also look forward to all the assistance you may choose to give us.
The last time I spoke at a ceremonial sitting was to farewell former Chief Justice Allsop of this Court. On that occasion, and to be fair, having some regard to his love of admiralty law, I sought inspiration from the names of the ships docked in Fremantle Port as I drove to work. Fortuitously, they were named the Brilliant Ace and the Positive Leader.
Today, I again looked to the ships in port, and heading out was the bulk carrier New Journey. So I wish you well on your new journey, and may the seas be kind to you.
The Court will now adjourn.
