Tim Carmody

The Honourable
Tim Carmody
AM KC
18th Chief Justice of Queensland
In office
8 July 2014 – 1 July 2015
Nominated byCampbell Newman
Appointed byPenelope Wensley representing Queen Elizabeth II
GovernorPenelope Wensley (2008–2014)
Paul de Jersey (2014–)
Preceded byPaul de Jersey
Succeeded byCatherine Holmes
31st Chief Magistrate of Queensland (concurrently sworn in as a Judge of the District Court of Queensland)
In office
16 September 2013 – 1 July 2014
Nominated byCampbell Newman
Appointed byPenelope Wensley representing Queen Elizabeth II
GovernorPenelope Wensley (2008–2014)
Preceded byBrendan Butler
Succeeded byOrazio (Ray) Rinaudo
Personal details
Born
Timothy Francis Carmody

(1956-05-18) 18 May 1956 (age 68)[1]
Millmerran, Queensland, Australia[2]
SpouseRobyn (1977–present)[3]
Alma materQueensland University of Technology

Timothy Francis Carmody AM KC (born 18 May 1956) is an Australian judge who was the Chief Justice of Queensland between 8 July 2014 and 1 July 2015. His previous roles include work as a police officer, barrister, Queensland Crime Commissioner, Family Court of Australia judge,[4] and Chief Magistrate of the Magistrates Court of Queensland.[1] He also presided over the 2013 Child Protection Commission of Inquiry.[5]

As Chief Magistrate, Carmody drew media attention for his comments and actions which were perceived as supportive of the Queensland government of Campbell Newman and their policies, including their laws against outlaw motorcycle gangs, for which he faced criticism from other senior lawyers and judges.[6][7][8] His comments and actions were described in media reports as undermining the judiciary's independence from the government, particularly his move to effectively prevent other magistrates from hearing contested bail applications.[7][9] Media also reported his lone expression of support as a judge for Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie, who had faced calls to resign after revealing the content of confidential discussions held with the President of the Court of Appeal.[10]

Carmody's subsequent appointment to Chief Justice after nine months as Chief Magistrate,[6] was criticised by legal opinion, with criticism from several current and former judges and senior lawyers focusing on his perceived closeness to Campbell Newman’s LNP government, relative inexperience and lack of support from the legal profession and other judges for his promotion.[4][11][12][13][14][15][16]

Carmody was sworn in Chief Justice on 8 July 2014, following the elevation of his predecessor in the role, Paul de Jersey, to Governor of Queensland.[17] Following ongoing tensions with other members of the judiciary, he resigned as Chief Justice on 1 July 2015.[18] He remained a Judge of the Supreme Court, sitting as a supplemental member of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal before resigning his commission as a judge altogether with effect from 10 September 2019.[19][20]

  1. ^ a b Wilson, Rae (14 June 2014). "Tim Carmody hopes his background can mend the disconnect". Daily Mercury. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference mad was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Danslow, Rebecca (2 August 2014). "Chief Justice Tim Carmody stands firm in face of critics". Courier Mail. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Chief magistrate Tim Carmody appointed Queensland's top judge". Brisbane Times. 12 June 2014. Archived from the original on 15 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  5. ^ Barrett, Rosanne (14 January 2013). "A voice for our most vulnerable". The Australian. Archived from the original on 20 April 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference unsw was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference slam was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference nobail was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference cmbail was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference feud was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference BT2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ "'Knock-about bloke' Qld's top judge". News.com.au. 12 June 2014. Archived from the original on 14 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  13. ^ "Qld legal community in turmoil over new chief justice". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 13 June 2014. Archived from the original on 14 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference hurst was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference nine was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference line was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Bochenski, Natalie (19 June 2014). "Queensland Court of Appeal judge calls on Tim Carmody to decline promotion". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 22 June 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  18. ^ "Queensland's Chief Justice Tim Carmody resigns in 'dignified end to controversy'". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 July 2015. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  19. ^ "Chief Justice Tim Carmody set to 'stand down'". Brisbane Times. 1 July 2015. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference bt-2018-resignation was invoked but never defined (see the help page).