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Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Three highly experienced barristers have been appointed as judges of the NSW District Court, bringing with them a combined seven decades of legal experience.
Guy Newton SC, David Scully SC and Thomas Jones had their appointments formally confirmed today, and they will commence in their new roles over the next two weeks.
Mr Newton is currently a Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor, representing the state in complex and high-profile cases. He has been a barrister since 1997, practicing predominantly in criminal law, and was appointed senior counsel in 2022. He will commence in the District Court on November 8.
Mr Scully has been a barrister since 2011 and has predominantly appeared in complex jury trials, including a number of years as a Crown Prosecutor, then Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor, prosecuting numerous murders and other serious crimes. He was appointed senior counsel in 2023 and will commence in the District Court on November 11.
Mr Jones has been a barrister since 2006, specialising in criminal law, common law, coronial inquests and other commissions of inquiry. He is an experienced arbitrator and adjudicator, and recently completed a two-year appointment as a Special Magistrate of the ACT Magistrates Court. He will commence his new role on November 11.
Attorney-General Michael Daley said:
“I am thrilled to announce the appointments of Guy Newton SC, David Scully SC and Thomas Jones to the District Court.
“They are highly-experienced lawyers who will bring a significant depth and breadth of experience to the bench, including an expertise in complex civil and criminal cases.
“Some of the most complex disputes in this state are decided in the District Court, and these appointees will be able to draw on a combined seven decades of legal experience.
“I congratulate all three on their well-deserved appointments.”
Mr Newton completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws at the University of New South Wales, as well as a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the College of Law.
He started his career as a paralegal at Clifford Chance in London in 1987, before returning to Sydney and becoming a Legal Editor at IBC Sydney until 1989.
From 1990 to 1992, he was Associate to the late District Court Judge David Shillington, QC.
He worked as a Solicitor for the Crown Solicitor’s Office from 1993 to 1994, contracted to the Special Industrial Office, before taking up a role with Michell Sillar from 1994 to 1997, where he gained experience in commercial litigation and criminal law.
In 1997, Mr Newton became a barrister and practised predominantly in criminal law over the next 17 years, including conducting trials as a non-salaried Crown Prosecutor from 2012 to 2014.
He became a Crown Prosecutor in October 2014, and in February 2023 he was appointed a Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor. Mr Newton took silk in October 2022. He will commence in the District Court on November 8
Mr Scully completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Western Australia in 1997 and a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) at the same university in 2000.
He attained a Bachelor of Civil Law (Distinction) at the University of Oxford in 2005.
Mr Scully was admitted as a solicitor in 2001 and began his career as an Articled Clerk at the DPP in Western Australia, before he was appointed Crown Prosecutor.
From 2004 to 2008, he worked as Senior Associate in commercial litigation for Freehills in Sydney, before working for Herbert Smith in London from 2008 to 2011 in commercial litigation and regulatory matters.
In 2011, he returned to Australia and became a barrister, reading on Sixth Floor Selborne Wentworth Chambers. In 2014, he moved to PG Hely Chambers as one of its founding members, practicing in criminal matters as well as regulatory, employment, industrial and general commercial matters.
He was a Crown Prosecutor from 2015 to 2018, a Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor from 2018 to April 2024, and at times acted as the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions. During this time, Mr Scully appeared in complex criminal trials including murder, sexual assault and organised crime, and also appeared on appeal.
Mr Scully was appointed Senior Counsel in 2023, and in May 2024 he returned to the private bar at Maurice Byers Chambers. He will commence in the District Court on November 11.
Mr Jones completed a Bachelor of Laws at Bond University in 2000 before completing a Diploma of Legal Practice at the NSW College of Law in 2001.
He started his career as a member of the insurance litigation team at Vandervords in Sydney, before moving to Richards Butler in Hong Kong where he worked on the commercial litigation team from 2002 to 2003.
In November 2003, he commenced at the Crown Prosecution Service in England, where he was a member of the Enforcement Taskforce (part of the Central Confiscation Branch).
From August 2004 to September 2005, he was a Legal Officer with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions in Sydney, where he primarily engaged in litigation related to proceeds of crime.
He became a barrister in 2006 and for the last 18 years has specialised in criminal law, common law, intentional torts such as false imprisonment, proceeds of crime matters, coronial inquests and other commissions of inquiry.
Mr Jones is a registered adjudicator in all Australian jurisdictions and has completed adjudicator training in Hong Kong. He has made adjudication determinations in more than 350 disputes.
From July 2022 to September 2024, he was a Special Magistrate of the ACT Magistrates Court.
Mr Jones will commence in the District Court on November 11.
30 Oct 2024