Six new judges appointed to Local Court

Wednesday, 3 June 2026

Six new judges will soon join the Local Court of New South Wales, strengthening the judiciary with a wealth of experience across criminal, civil and community law.

The new judges – Lisa Hanshaw, Diane Chappell, Lynda Davids, John Sfinas, Benjamin Pierce and Peter Ringbauer – bring a combined total of more than 150 years of legal experience and will serve in locations across metropolitan and regional NSW.

The appointments reflect the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Local Court, which is Australia’s busiest court jurisdiction. It is responsible for more than 90 per cent of judicial decisions in the state.

The incoming judges have extensive backgrounds in prosecution, defence, complex litigation, Legal Aid, community-based and Aboriginal law services.

Their appointments will provide valuable support to the judiciary in managing caseloads and ensuring the delivery of timely, fair and accessible justice.

These six lawyers, to commence later this month, bring the total number of judges in the Local Court to a record 160.

Ms Hanshaw and Ms Chappell will be sworn in on 23 June, Ms Davids and Mr Sfinas on June 24 and Mr Pierce and Mr Ringbauer on 25 June.

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of six outstanding lawyers to the Local Court bench.

“Our Local Court judges make critical decisions every day that affect people’s lives, families and futures.

“These new appointees bring a wealth of legal expertise, compassion, integrity and a deep understanding of the communities they will serve.

“This new cohort will strengthen the diversity, resilience and capability of the Local Court, and I thank them for their service to justice in NSW.”

BIOGRAPHIES

Lisa Hanshaw

Lisa Hanshaw brings more than 25 years’ experience in criminal law, practice, procedure and advocacy to the Local Court bench. She spent the first half of her career as a criminal defence lawyer representing First Nations clients in regional NSW.

For the past 12 years Ms Hanshaw has worked with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), prosecuting serious criminal offences in regional areas. This includes many complex trials at Wagga Wagga, Griffith and Albury District Court.

Ms Hanshaw will be sworn in and commence as a judge on 23 June.

Diane Chappell

Diane Chappell is a senior criminal law practitioner with more than 22 years’ experience across the NSW public sector. She has extensive expertise in summary and indictable matters, advocacy, complex case management and legal leadership.

Since 2007 Ms Chappell has worked with Legal Aid in senior roles. Previously, she lectured in law at the University of New South Wales and was a Trial Group Lawyer with ODPP.

Ms Chappell will be sworn in and commence as a judge on 23 June.

Lynda Davids

Lynda Davids is a barrister with more than 20 years’ experience in criminal law. Starting out as a solicitor with Legal Aid in 2006, she was called to the bar the following year.

For almost two decades Ms Davids has practiced as a barrister, instructing in District Court trials and sentencings, and Local Court matters. She has also appeared on behalf of Legal Aid and the Aboriginal Legal Service on a duty basis in the Drug and Children’s Court and State Parole Authority.

Ms Davids will be sworn in and commence as a judge on 24 June.

John Sfinas

John Sfinas joins the Local Court with 22 years in the law. He worked as an Associate for two District Court judges before joining the ODPP as a solicitor in 2007. He progressed to trial advocate in 2017 and Crown Prosecutor in 2020. He worked predominantly in Sydney West.

Mr Sfinas has prosecuted more than 55 District Court trials and appeared as junior counsel in two Supreme Court trials. He has certified more than 200 matters, negotiated numerous pleas and appeared in many complex sentence, bail and interlocutory hearings.

Mr Sfinas will be sworn in and commence as a judge on 24 June.

Benjamin Pierce

Benjamin Pierce is a criminal law barrister with more 26 years’ practice in NSW as both a solicitor and counsel. He started his career with Western Aboriginal Legal Service in Walgett, Dubbo and Broken Hill, before joining the ODPP in 2004 working in Bathurst and Sydney.

For the past 15 years Mr Pierce has practiced as a barrister in Sydney. He has briefed for both the Crown and the defence in complex matters such as serious drug and sexual assault offences, fraud and kidnapping in the District, Local and Children’s Court.

Mr Pierce will be sworn in and commence as a judge on 25 June.

Peter Ringbauer

Peter Ringbauer has practiced law for 32 years in the public and private sectors across a range of areas. His experience includes criminal, family and civil law, as well as care matters, mental health, personal injury, workers compensation and medical negligence.

Currently a sole practitioner in Central Western NSW, Mr Ringbauer has spent most of his career working in the Local Court. Prior to being self-employed, he practiced as a solicitor with private firms, Legal Aid and a community legal centre. He is also a legal member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal.

Mr Ringbauer will be sworn in and commence as a judge on 25 June.