Michael Antrum appointed Deputy Chief Magistrate of NSW Local Court

Wednesday, 18 September 2024

Magistrate Michael Antrum has been appointed a Deputy Chief Magistrate of the Local Court, an expanded role which recognises his extensive experience and leadership.

Magistrate Antrum was appointed to the Local Court in 2011 and has presided over a variety of matters at courts throughout NSW including Wagga, Queanbeyan, Gosford and the Downing Centre in Sydney.

Since 2022, he has been a Deputy President of the Forensic Division of the Mental Health Review Tribunal, and he has served on the boards of not-for-profits including Anglicare.

Magistrate Antrum completed a Bachelor of Arts (Communications) at the University of Technology Sydney in 1988, followed by a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at UTS in 1993, and a Graduate Diploma in Military Law from Australian National University in 2010.

He worked briefly as a journalist before working as a solicitor at RJ Nolan & Co in Dubbo, Sweeney Waterford Lawyers in Narrabri, and North & Badgery in Sydney between 1994 and 2001. He was the Director and Principal Solicitor for the National Children’s & Youth Law Centre from 1997 to 1999.

Magistrate Antrum established the Office of University Legal Counsel at the University of Western Sydney, before leaving the role in 2004 to practise as a mediator and arbitrator.

In 2006, he was appointed general counsel at the NSW Police Force, a role he held until 2010. He was also a legal counsel for the Transport Construction Authority until he was appointed to the bench.

Since 2005, Magistrate Antrum has been an Officer in the Australian Army Legal Corps, a role with many aspects including offering training in administrative law and international humanitarian law. He has also been a volunteer firefighter for the Rural Fire Service.

Magistrate Antrum will commence as a Deputy Chief Magistrate on October 28.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“Magistrate Michael Antrum has more than three decades of experience in the law, including as a mediator, arbitrator, ligitation lawyer, general counsel, and military lawyer.

“He has already been a leader in the Local Court, as a member of its Education Committee and the orientation team for new Magistrates, in addition to his leadership role at the Mental Health Review Tribunal.

“This appointment to Deputy Chief Magistrate recognises Magistrate Antrum’s outstanding contribution to the law, and to the community more generally.

“I congratulate Magistrate Antrum on his well-deserved appointment.”