Justice Burns retires after 31 years on bench

2021-08-31

Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury has thanked retiring Justice John Burns for his distinguished service to our local community after more than three decades as a judicial officer.

“Justice Burns made a significant contribution to the legal landscape in the ACT,” Attorney-General 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.”

Justice Burns was admitted to practice in 1981 and called to the Bar in 1989.  In April 1990, he was appointed a Magistrate and Coroner of the ACT and in December 2009 he was appointed Chief Magistrate and Chief Coroner. He 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.

“His Honour’s wealth of legal experience and knowledge is a tremendous loss,” Attorney-General Rattenbury said.

“Justice Burns is a highly regarded and well-respected judge with a razor-sharp intellect. He is courteous, diligent and has always held the profession to a high standard. I thank Justice Burns for his years of distinguished service and wish him well for his future endeavours.”

Recruitment is underway to appoint replacements for Justice Burns and Chief Justice Helen Murrell, who will retire in March 2022.