Judge Advocate of New South Wales

David Collins (1756–1810) was the first Judge Advocate of NSW[1]

The Judge Advocate of New South Wales, also referred to as the Deputy Judge Advocate was a ranking judicial officer in the Colony of New South Wales until the abolition of the role in 1823.[1]

Before the First Fleet sailed from England to colonise New South Wales, Marine Captain David Collins was appointed Deputy Judge Advocate of the colony, and Judge Advocate of the marines.[1]

The Judge Advocate held office in several courts.

  1. He was one of a bench of two justices of the peace in the Magistrates' Court.[a][1]
  2. He was president of the Court of Criminal Jurisdiction.[1]
  3. He was one of a bench of three judges in the Court of Civil Jurisdiction until its abolition in 1814.[b][1]
  4. In the Court of Appeal of New South Wales, he was advisor to the colony's Governor, who was the sole appeal judge.[1]

From 1814,

  1. He was assessor of the High Court of Appeal of New South Wales.[1]
  2. He was one of a bench of three magistrates in the Governors Court.[1]

David Collins held office from 1788 until 1796. He was temporarily replaced by Richard Bowyer Atkins until Richard Dore arrived in 1798. Dore was the first judge-advocate with legal qualifications. He died in 1800. Atkins was re-appointed and held office until late 1809, although he was temporarily deposed during the Rum Rebellion of 1808.

At the end of 1809, Ellis Bent, a barrister, arrived from England to take up the appointment as judge-advocate. He held the office until his death on 10 November 1815.

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Cite error: The named reference sr was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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