The governor of New South Wales, Margaret Beazley AC KC, is joining London’s leading construction set, Atkin Chambers, as a door tenant.
Beazley, who has been the King’s viceregal representative in New South Wales (NSW) since 2019, will start work with the set from May 2028 when her current term as governor, which has been extended twice, expires.
Among the former barrister and judge’s many legal achievements are being the first woman to sit in the New South Wales Court of Appeal and, subsequently, to be appointed as its president.
She was also the first woman to sit exclusively in the Federal Court.
Beazley, who will practise as an arbitrator, mediator, chair of inquiries and legal expert, will be managed by David Barnes, Atkin Chambers’ chief executive and director of clerking, who was recently appointed as president of the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks.
Beazley said she was delighted to join as a door tenant, adding: “I have never left the law,” in explaining that, while not directly practising law, her viceregal duties had involved constitutional issues within the state, which spanned three premiers, including the current Minns administration led by the NSW Labor Party.
“I have maintained a close association with my judicial and legal colleagues and continue to give legally based addresses as the occasion arises and keep up with current legal developments including arbitration,” she said, adding she looked forward to taking up practice in 2028.
Atkin Chambers’ head of chambers, former Bar Council chair, Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC, said that Beazley’s contribution to the Australian legal profession had been “exceptional”, adding: “She has served as a role model for women in law for over 40 years and it is an honour to have her join Atkin Chambers.”
The former judge is well known for her work in Sydney’s legal scene, having qualified at Winter & Sharp before becoming a barrister in 1975.
She was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1989, practising from Sixth Floor Selborne Wentworth Chambers before becoming a judge in 1993.
She has also held positions in the Equal Opportunities Tribunal and the Industrial Relations Court.
She was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the 2020 Australia Day Honours List for service to the people of New South Wales, including judicial leadership and as a mentor of young women lawyers.
That title followed on from her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the late Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2006 for service to the judiciary and the law.
Atkin Chambers has several prominent Australian former jurists as members, including the former chief justice of NSW, James Allsop AC and Professor Doug Jones AO, both recognised international arbitrators.
Last October, the set recruited commercial and insurance specialist Catherine Piercy KC as a tenant from Gatehouse Chambers.
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