The Attorney-General, Shane Rattenbury has thanked retiring Judge of the Supreme Court of the ACT, John Burns (pictured) for his distinguished service to the local community after more than three decades as a judicial officer.
“Justice Burns made a significant contribution to the legal landscape in the ACT,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“His length of service is testimony to His Honour’s commitment to supporting a fair and efficient justice system in the ACT and beyond,” he said.
“I thank Justice Burns for his years of distinguished service and wish him well for his future endeavours.”
Mr Rattenbury said Justice Burns was admitted to practice in 1981 and called to the Bar in 1989.
The Attorney-General said that in April 1990, Justice Burns was appointed a Magistrate and Coroner of the ACT and in December 2009 he was appointed Chief Magistrate and Chief Coroner.
He said Justice Burns was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of the ACT in August 2011.
“Most recently he played a key role developing the new Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List which supports the rehabilitation of offenders with alcohol and other drug addictions,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“His Honour’s wealth of legal experience and knowledge is a tremendous loss.”
He said recruitment was underway to appoint replacements for Justice Burns as well as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the ACT, Helen Murrell, who is to retire in March next year.
