The ACT Government has appointed Justice Louise Taylor as the new Chief Magistrate of the ACT Magistrates Court.

Acting Justice Andrew Muller SC has been appointed as a Resident Judge of the ACT Supreme Court.

The appointments strengthen leadership and capacity across the Territory’s courts.

Justice Louise Taylor

Justice Louise Taylor will begin serving as Chief Magistrate of the ACT Magistrates Court from May 2026.

First appointed as a Magistrate in 2018, Justice Taylor became a Resident Judge of the ACT Supreme Court in 2023. She will continue in that role while also serving as Chief Magistrate.

A proud Kamilaroi woman, Justice Taylor is the first Aboriginal woman in Australia appointed to a superior court.

Before joining the courts, she served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the ACT Legal Aid Commission. She also held senior roles with the Office of the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions.

She has extensive experience as a prosecutor in both the ACT and Commonwealth jurisdictions.

Justice Taylor has further supported the Canberra community through roles with:

• the Women’s Legal Centre (ACT) Board

• the ACT Domestic Violence Prevention Council

• the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council for Women

• the Law Council of Australia’s Indigenous Legal Issues Committee.

Justice Taylor said she was delighted to accept the opportunity.

‘The Magistrates Court is the people’s court, the place where many Canberrans experience the justice system,’ she said.

‘The chance to lead the diverse and increasingly complex work of the Magistrates Court is a great honour. This role is a return to a place where I spent much of my career. I take it on with deep respect for the hard-working court staff and Magistrates who faithfully serve our great city in the administration of justice.

‘I look forward to taking my place on the bench in this leadership role and I am grateful for the confidence in me that this appointment represents.’

Acting Justice Andrew Muller SC

Acting Justice Muller has been an Acting Judge of the ACT Supreme Court since April 2025.

He was called to the Bar in 2011 and became Senior Counsel in October 2023. He has lived and worked in the ACT for more than 30 years and previously served as President of the ACT Bar Association.

He will begin his new position as a Judge of the ACT Supreme Court in April 2026.

‘I look forward to the challenge of supporting the important work of this busy court,’ Acting Justice Muller said.