Experience

Amanda held the position of Assistant Parliamentary Counsel drafting legislation until being appointed a Prosecutor in 1991. She was called to the Bar in 1995 and practised as a Barrister in NSW and the A.C.T. until surrendering her practising certificate upon being appointed to the Federal Circuit Court in January 2017.

As a barrister she had an extensive general practice appearing as:

  • Counsel in criminal and civil trials

  • Counsel on appeal and at trial in the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court

  • Counsel Assisting the Coroner in numerous coronial inquiries and Counsel for the A.C.T. Government in numerous matters including appearing for the Chief Executive Department of Child Safety

  • Public Advocate

  • Public Trustee and Chief Psychiatrist

  • Represented public authorities and individuals in disciplinary and professional misconduct matters

  • Represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a range of personal injury and medical negligence matters and was appointed as Mediator for the ACT Magistrates Court

Amanda appeared in numerous legal aid matters and as Counsel Pro Bono and held the position of Legal Aid Commissioner for many years. She has participated on numerous committees, was appointed as Director of Blackburn Chambers and was an elected member of the ACT Bar Association. She has maintained membership to the NSW and ACT Bar Associations throughout her career and more recently a member of the Qld Bar Association as Judge presiding in Brisbane. Amanda’s judgments in General Federal Law and Family Law are available on the FCFCoA website. She is a Nationally Accredited Mediator and Arbitrator.