Victoria's Chief Justice Anne Ferguson has been described as an inspiring leader who spearheaded cultural change, as she announced her retirement from the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of Victoria announced her retirement, which will take effect from February 2025, on Thursday.
Justice Ferguson was first appointed as a Supreme Court Justice in 2010, moving to the Court of Appeal in 2014 then stepping into the chief's role in 2017.
She was involved in some of the state's most high-profile cases, including Cardinal George Pell's appeal over child sex abuse charges.
Justice Ferguson also served as chair of Courts Council, which oversees Court Services Victoria, and chair of the Judicial Commission of Victoria.
"It has been a privilege to have served the Victorian community," Chief Justice Ferguson said in a statement.
"I thank the judicial officers and staff from across this court, other jurisdictions and Court Services Victoria, together with the legal profession, for their commitment and dedication during my time as a judge of the Supreme Court."
She was involved in commissioning an inquiry into sexual harassment in the state's courts system, which found it was an "open secret" and called for sweeping changes to stamp out predatory behaviour.
Law Institute of Victoria president Matthew Hibbins described Justice Ferguson as an inspiring leader of the legal profession.
“The Chief Justice has been a role model for what a solicitor on the Bench can be, and there are many across the profession who have been inspired by her professional journey," Mr Hibbins said.
“The Chief Justice has been a spearhead for change in the legal profession, including with respect to integrity, courtesy, and, importantly, the elimination of sexual harassment within the profession.
"We applaud her leadership of cultural change in the legal profession.”
