A Canberra barrister and former defence lawyer has been appointed as the ACT's newest magistrate.
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ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell announced the appointment of Robert Cook as the newest addition to the Magistrates Court bench on Wednesday.
Mr Cook replaces former magistrate David Mossop, who took on the role of ACT Supreme Court Master earlier this year.
Mr Cook has more than two decades of experience in law. He specialised in employment law, and work, health and safety law as a barrister.
He was a partner in two law firms, and worked in the RAAF for two decades.
In the defence force, he took on the roles of both a senior legal officer and a prosecuting officer, and helped defend Defence Force members before tribunals.
He has worked with the Australian Industrial Relations Society and was the deputy president of the ACT Racing Appeals Tribunal.
"I congratulate Mr Cook on his appointment. I am confident he will serve the Canberra community well, and will be an asset to the Magistrates Court bench," Mr Corbell said.
Mr Cook's selection was made by a panel comprising of ACT Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker, the Director-General of Justice and Community Safety Directorate, Kathy Leigh, and the NSW Chief Magistrate Judge Graeme Henson.
Canberra's legal fraternity welcomed the appointment.
Bar Association president Greg Stretton, SC, said Mr Cook was a popular and hardworking member of Blackburn Chambers.
"[His] considerable experience in industrial law … will stand him in good stead if he is chosen by [the] Chief Magistrate to become the new industrial magistrate," Mr Stretton said.
"He will bring to the position a good mind, strong ethics and a good sense of fairness.''
ACT Law Society president Noor Blumer said Mr Cook beat a strong field of candidates for the position.
Mr Cook's appointment starts on September 1.
