On 1 June 2022, Attorney General for New South Wales, Mark Speakman, announced the appointment of former NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL) President, Pauline Wright as a Magistrate in the Local Court of New South Wales.

NSWCCL congratulates Ms Wright, who joined NSWCCL in 1988, on her appointment and thanks her for her long service with the organisation.

Ms Wright joined the committee in 1990, and held the office of Vice President from 1992 until her election as President in 2019. Following her appointment as President of the Law Council of Australia in 2020, Ms Wright was again elected President in 2021 which she held until recently vacating her position to take up the appointment as Magistrate. Over her many years of involvement Ms Wright has made a significant contribution to the work of NSWCCL and her efforts will be sorely missed.

Ms Wright’s election as President made history for NSWCCL as the second only woman - after retired Court of Appeal Judge, Carolyn Simpson - to be elected to the office since the organisation was founded in 1963.

Josh Pallas has been elected President following Ms Wright’s resignation. He has twice served as Vice President of NSWCCL and is a lawyer and PhD Candidate in criminal law at the University of Sydney.

“Pauline’s departure was unexpected and will be a great loss to NSWCCL. I have no doubt that she will prove to be an outstanding and compassionate Magistrate and will serve the citizens of our state well”, Mr Pallas said.