Two new judges appointed to NSW District Court

9 November 2023

Barristers Christine Mendes and Troy Anderson SC have been appointed judges of the District Court of NSW.

Broth bring a wide range of skills and expertise to the bench, and a combined legal experience of more than half a century to the District Court bench.

Ms Mendes is an accomplished barrister, having practised at the private bar and, most recently, as a Public Defender, in jurisdictions including the Children’s, Local and District Courts and the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal.

Mr Anderson is an expert trial and appellate advocate with experience in international maritime law, aviation law and criminal law.

Mr Anderson will be sworn in on 17 November and Ms Mendes on 20 November.

NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“The District Court of NSW is fortunate to have two barristers with such a wealth of experience joining the bench. Ms Mendes and Mr Anderson bring breadth and depth of experience with them from their diverse experience in civil and criminal litigation.”

Biographies

Christine Mendes

Ms Mendes was admitted as a solicitor in 1996 and worked for the Western Aboriginal Legal Service. She was called to the NSW Bar in 2002 and appointed a Public Defender in 2020. She is an expert trial advocate who has practised predominantly in criminal law.

Ms Mendes has appeared extensively in cases of child and adult sexual assaults, domestic violence-related offences, serious drug offences, aggravated robberies, serious fraud matters and driving causing death offences.

Troy Anderson SC

Mr Anderson was admitted as a solicitor in 1998 and practiced in civil litigation, largely in international law, maritime law and aviation law. He was admitted to the Bar in 2007 and in 2021 he was appointed Senior Counsel, becoming Deputy Senior Public Defender in 2022.

Mr Anderson has prosecuted and defended in a wide range of Commonwealth and NSW offences including murder, terrorism and foreign fighters, drug importation, fraud and sexual assault. He is the author of Commonwealth Criminal Law, now in its third edition.