Two judges appointed to the NSW District Court

Thursday, 11 May 2023

Attorney General Michael Daley has appointed two experienced and respected lawyers to the bench of the NSW District Court.

Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor Craig Everson SC and and barrister Robert Newlinds SC have both dedicated their professional lives to the law, appearing before all jurisdictions of the NSW courts.

“After distinguished careers as advocates they bring with them more than 60 years of experience to the bench,” Mr Daley said.

“They will be welcome additions to the NSW District Court when they are sworn in as judges.”

Mr Everson has been a Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions since 2014 and has appeared in many high profile matters including the recent trial of Christopher Dawson for the murder of his wife Lynette Dawson in 1982.

“He has worked as both defence counsel and as a prosecutor for the Crown,” Mr Daley said.

Called to the Bar in 1996, Mr Everson started his career working as a solicitor at the Aboriginal Legal Service.

The majority of Mr Everson’s practice was the defence of persons charged with serious indictable offences and he also practised in administrative, commercial and common law.

Since his appointment as a Crown Prosecutor in 2005, he has exclusively appeared for the Crown before the Supreme and District Courts. From 2014 he led the Crown Prosecutors based at Campbelltown, Parramatta and Penrith until late 2018.

Mr Newlinds has been a barrister since 1990 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2003. He has expertise in commercial law, insolvency, insurance and common law.

“Mr Newlinds has appeared as lead counsel in six cases in the High Court of Australia, over 100 appeals in intermediate Courts of Appeal and hundreds of first instance hearings, including many in the District Court,” Mr Daley said.

Outside the law Mr Newlinds is actively involved in the South Curl Curl Surf Club and competes regularly in Masters' rowing events for the state and internationally.

The appointment of Mr Newlinds replaces his Honour Judge Robison and Mr Everson will replace his Honour Judge McLennan SC who have both retired.

“I would like to thank them both for their service to the Court and to the community,” Mr Daley said.