Four new appointments to the District Court of NSW

Wednesday, 19 November 2025

Four distinguished members of the legal profession have been appointed to the District Court of NSW.

Kenneth Averre MBE, Philip Hogan, Paul Marr and Magistrate Philip Stewart will join the District Court as judges early next year.

Mr Averre has practised as a barrister since 2008 when he was also awarded an MBE for public service.

He specialises in criminal law, regulatory prosecutions and appeals, and has published and presented widely on law reform and human rights.

He previously served in the Solomon Islands Government as a volunteer solicitor and was appointed as the Public Solicitor in 2003. 

Mr Hogan was admitted to the Bar in 1997 after working as a solicitor and sole practitioner.

He joined the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) a 2010 and was appointed Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor in 2018.

He has conducted complex jury trials and appeals and is respected for his leadership and skill as an advocate.

Mr Marr was admitted to the Bar in 2002 and worked as a Crown Prosecutor with the ODPP. Before that, he worked as a defence counsel and a solicitor.

He was also a police prosecutor, lecturer at the NSW Police Academy and an investigator with the Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence.

Magistrate Stewart was appointed to the Local Court in 2014 following a 16-year career as a criminal defence lawyer.

He spent much of that time as an accredited criminal law specialist and partner of a legal firm.

Before that, he served with the NSW Police Force including as a police prosecutor.

His broad experience in law enforcement, prosecution and criminal defence provides valuable insight into the challenges of the justice system.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“I congratulate each of these appointments who have a track record of outstanding service and expertise across criminal and civil law, advocacy and public service.

“They will strengthen the District Court’s role in ensuring fair and timely access to justice for the people of New South Wales.”