Amy Begley will join the bench from March 2025 as a new magistrate. Photo: Legal Aid ACT.
Amy Begley is set to join the ACT Magistrates Court from March, bringing years of “considerable and diverse experience” to the bench.
“I am delighted and deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the Canberra community in this role,” the incoming magistrate said.
Ms Begley brings extensive experience in legal practice, having most recently served as the Head of Practice for Early Intervention Legal Practice at Legal Aid ACT.
In this role, she was responsible for the leadership, management and strategic direction of various services, including the Family Violence and Personal Protection unit, Family Law Duty Service, and the Health Justice Partnership.
ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne welcomed Ms Begley to her new role.
“I am very pleased that a legal practitioner of Ms Begley’s calibre will join the ACT Magistrates Court,” the Attorney-General said.
“She brings considerable and diverse experience to her new role, having worked in a range of roles within the ACT’s justice system.”
Ms Begley will start in her new role on 17 March 2025.
She will replace Magistrate Robert Cook, who was appointed in September 2013.
Magistrate Robert Cook speaking at an event in 2021. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Ms Begley has a strong background in family violence law, having previously served as the Head of Practice of Legal Aid ACT’s Early Intervention Legal Practice.
She has also worked as a prosecutor at the ACT Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, where she conducted trials, appeals, and summary hearings in both the ACT Supreme Court and Magistrates Court.
The new magistrate holds a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts, and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the ANU, where she has lectured over the past decade in criminal and evidence law.
She was admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor in the ACT in 2006.
In a statement, ACT Bar Council President Brodie Buckland congratulated Ms Begley on her appointment on behalf of the organisation.
“Ms Begley will bring a range of relevant experience to the role of Magistrate having worked across diverse backgrounds and subject matters, including having worked as a prosecutor at the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions office,” the statement said.
The last magistrate to be appointed was Alexandra Burt, who commenced in January 2024.
Loading ...
