Everson has worked as both defence counsel and a prosecutor for the Crown. He appeared in the high-profile trial of Christopher Dawson for the murder of his wife Lynette.
By Keely McDonough -
The NSW District Court will welcome two “experienced and respected” lawyers to the bench, including the Crown Prosecutor in the high-profile trial of Christopher Dawson for the murder of his wife Lynette.
Attorney General Michael Daley made the announcement on Thursday 11 May that renowned prosecutor Craig Everson, alongside barrister Robert Newlinds, had been appointed to the Court, both having “dedicated their professional lives to the law” and appearing before all jurisdictions of the NSW Courts.
“After distinguished careers as advocates they bring with them more than 60 years of experience to the bench,” Daley said.
“They will be welcome additions to the NSW District Court when they are sworn in as judges.”
Everson started his career as a solicitor at the Aboriginal Legal Service, before being called to the Bar in 1996. Most of Everson’s practice has been the defence of persons charged with serious indictable offences and he also practised in administrative, commercial and common law.
Since his appointment as a Crown Prosecutor in 2005, Everson has exclusively appeared for the Crown before the Supreme and District Courts. From 2014 until late 2018, he led the Crown Prosecutors based at Campbelltown, Parramatta and Penrith.
“Everson has worked as both defence counsel and as a prosecutor for the Crown,” Daley said.
Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor Craig Everson
Newlinds has been a barrister since 1990 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2003. He has expertise in commercial law, insolvency, insurance and common law.
“Newlinds has appeared as lead counsel in six cases in the High Court of Australia, over 100 appeals in intermediate Courts of Appeal and hundreds of first instance hearings, including many in the District Court,” Daley said.
Outside the law, Newlinds is actively involved in South Curl Curl Surf Club and competes regularly in Masters rowing events for the state and internationally.
The appointments will replace Judge Robison and Judge McLennan who have both retired.
Meantime, Kristina Stern widely recognised as a “leading public law and commercial” lawyer, has been appointed as a Judge of Appeal of the Supreme Court of NSW.
Stern has appeared in significant complex commercial and administrative law disputes, including those concerning Hobart International Airport and the Mount Bruce Mining litigation in the High Court, the Julian Wright and the Hope Downs litigation, and for Meta, in ongoing proceedings by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
She is chair of the NSW Bar Association Inquests and Inquiries Committee and has appeared at numerous inquests and inquiries including those concerning thedeath of cricketer Phillip Hughes, the Quakers Hill Nursing Home fire and the Dungog floods. She also represented the Commonwealth’s interests in the defamation trial brought by war veteran and Victoria Cross holder Ben Roberts-Smith.
