Former terrorism prosecutor appointed as magistrate

A former counter-terrorism prosecutor has been appointed to the bench of the ACT Magistrates Court.

Canberra barrister Glenn Theakston will replace magistrate Peter Dingwall when he retires in August, attorney-general Simon Corbell announced on Monday.

Theakston will start at the Civic court next week when Dingwall takes leave prior to his retirement following more than 25 years as a territory magistrate.

A lawyer for more than decades, Theakston has practised in family and civil law as a barrister since 2012, and also gained experience in criminal law while working for Legal Aid ACT and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions as a prosecutor on counter-terrorism matters.

Theakston has been an Australian Defence Force reservist for more than 20 years.

ACT Law Society president Martin Hockridge? welcomed Mr Theakston’s appointment on behalf of the city’s lawyers.

“He is a respected local barrister with considerable experience, particularly in the criminal law jurisdiction, having appeared for both the defence and the prosecution,” Mr Hockridge said.

“Mr Theakston is well-liked, practical and thorough and comes to the role with a military background. The society has benefited from his expertise during his time as the chair of the society’s military law committee.”