Two judicial officers appointed to the Local Court of NSW

Wednesday, 19 November 2025

Two highly respected legal practitioners, David Coulton and James Howard, have been appointed to the Local Court of NSW.

Mr Coulton and Mr Howard will each bring significant legal and public service experience to the bench when they commence on February 23.

Mr Coulton is a Crown Prosecutor with Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and has more than 30 years’ experience across criminal law, policing and public service.

Before joining the ODPP in 2011, he spent 17 years with the NSW Police Force and was admitted as a lawyer in 2009.

Mr Howard has been a Judicial Registrar of the District Court of NSW since 2012.

He previously filled senior registrar and mediation roles in the Supreme Court of NSW and worked with the Crown Solicitor’s Office.

Earlier in his career, he held investigative and legal positions with the NSW Police, the Police Integrity Commission and the Royal Commission into the NSW Police.

He was awarded the NSW Police Commissioner’s Unit Citation in 2003 for meritorious service.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“I am proud to appoint these two outstanding practitioners who have made exceptional contributions to the legal profession.

“Mr Coulton’s extensive background in law enforcement and criminal prosecution, and Mr Howard’s deep experience in court administration and mediation, will be invaluable to the Local Court.

“I congratulate them on their appointments and thank them for their continued service to the administration of justice in NSW.”