Ceremonial Sitting for Justice Kate Cuthbertson

On 5 February 2025, the Supreme Court of Tasmania held a ceremonial sitting to mark the appointment of the Honourable Justice Kate Cuthbertson as a puisne judge of the Court.

The sitting was attended by members of the judiciary, the legal profession, and the Tasmanian community.
The ceremony acknowledged Justice Cuthbertson’s distinguished career, her longstanding commitment to access to justice and the wealth of practical experience she brings to the Bench.

Speakers included the Attorney-General, the Honourable Guy Barnett MP; Mr Will Justo, President of the Law Society of Tasmania; and Mr Tom Cox, representing the Tasmanian Bar and Australian Bar Association.

A Legal Career Grounded in Service and Advocacy
Justice Cuthbertson brings to the Supreme Court more than two decades of experience across a wide range of practice areas, including criminal law, professional discipline, estate, commercial, administrative, environmental, personal injury, and professional indemnity matters.

Admitted in 1999 after completing her Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours at the University of Tasmania, her Honour began her career at the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania, where she worked extensively with vulnerable and marginalised clients.

After a decade of public service, she was called to the Bar in 2010 and appointed Senior Counsel in 2022. Her Honour practised widely in State and Federal jurisdictions, appearing in complex matters before the Supreme Court, Federal Court, Family Court, and High Court of Australia. She was also appointed to numerous statutory roles, including as a member of the Mental Health Tribunal, the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, the Parole Board of Tasmania, and the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

In 2024, her Honour was appointed as a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), sitting in the Melbourne Registry with a focus on migration matters.

Commitment to Legal Education and the Tasmanian Community
Throughout her career, Justice Cuthbertson has made significant contributions to legal education and professional development. She coordinated the Magistrates Court Practice and Advocacy module of the Tasmanian Legal Practice Course and mentored numerous young lawyers.

Her Honour has also served on boards and councils beyond the legal sector, including Mosaic Support Services, the Theatre Royal Board, and the Council of Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity. Her service reflects a deep and ongoing engagement with Tasmania’s broader community.

Insights beyond the Courtroom
Ceremony speakers also reflected on Justice Cuthbertson’s well-known vibrancy within the legal and wider community, sharing light-hearted stories – ranging from her dedication to cold-water swimming with the Women’s Dipping Club and being the last to leave the dance floor, to her sharp sense of humour and enthusiasm for music, art, and community life. Together, these anecdotes spoke to her Honour’s authenticity, resilience, and capacity to connect with others – qualities that have earned her the respect and esteem of colleagues across the profession.

Justice Cuthbertson – Ceremonial Sitting Transcript