Robert Crowe SC will join the bench while Associate Justice Verity McWilliam takes maternity leave.

Mr Crowe was appointed senior counsel in 2003 and admitted as a lawyer in 1980.

He had a civil law practice and had been active in the local Bar Association until he retired in 2017.

He was ACT Bar Association president from 2003 to 2005 and its representative on the ACT rules advisory committee for more than 20 years.

"Mr Crowe is a highly distinguished member of the ACT legal community and brings a wealth of experience to this important judicial role," Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said in a statement.

"Mr Crowe's strong civil experience and his commitment to serving the Canberra community will make him an asset to the bench."

The ACT Law Society welcomed Mr Crowe to the bench, with president Chris Donohue saying the experienced and capable barrister would make a valuable addition to the ACT Supreme Court.

"We welcome the ongoing trend of appointing very capable local practitioners as local judicial officers, and wish Justice Crowe a smooth transition to the Bench," he said.

Mr Crowe's appointment is for 12 months from June 1.