FORMER ACT Supreme Court judge Justice Richard Refshauge has been appointed as an acting judge to oversee the ACT’s Drug and Alcohol Court.

Justice Refshauge served as the ACT director of public prosecutions from 1998 until 2008, when he was appointed resident judge of the ACT Supreme Court. He stayed in the ACT Supreme Court until May 2017.

“Throughout his career Justice Refshauge has demonstrated a deep commitment to establishing the ACT as a leading human rights jurisdiction,” says Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay.

“He brings to the position a wealth of experience in a wide range of legal capacities, and I have full confidence that he will uphold the restorative principles of the Drug and Alcohol Court.”

Justice Refshauge will begin his one-year term in the role on July 1 following the work done by acting Justice Lorraine Walker, who established the Drug and Alcohol Court and has since returned to the role of ACT Chief Magistrate.

The ACT’s Drug and Alcohol Court began operations in December last year as a multi-disciplinary unit to support offenders address substance addictions associated with criminal activities.

Since its inception, 25 people have been referred to the Drug and Alcohol Court, with eight offenders having received a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Order.