Rashelle Seiden SC appointed as a Judge of the District Court

Rashelle Seiden SC was sworn in as a Judge of the District Court of New South Wales on Monday 15 April 2024. Judge Seiden has also been appointed as the Deputy President of the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Her Honour brings nearly three decades of experience to the bench.

Judge Seiden was called to the bar in Queensland in 1996 and was admitted to the New South Wales bar in 2000. Her Honour has extensive experience in a range of areas, from constitutional and administrative law, trusts, corporate and commercial law, to insolvency and revenue, including tax crime.

As a barrister, she led high-profile cases and appeals in different jurisdictions from the Supreme Court in Aymsheen Pty Ltd v CCSR to the High Court in Hornsby Shire Council v Commonwealth of Australia. Her Honour has also appeared in the High Court on a special leave application in relation to Aboriginal children and the opportunity to preserve their cultural heritage.

Her Honour is known for her commitment to equitable briefing and provided opportunities for women to develop their advocacy skills.

Self-described as being “shy growing-up, and somewhat introverted,” her Honour is said to be “happiest when working with juniors” or “coming alive on (her) feet in front of the Bench”.

“Ms Seiden is highly regarded in legal circles for her incisive approach to thorny legal matters and ability to bring clarity to complex cases,” says NSW Attorney General Michael Daley.

In his speech, President of the Law Society of NSW, Brett McGrath, remarked that “the glamour of the law, or status that can be caught up with it, has never interested your Honour. It’s the fabric of fairness and awareness for people’s vulnerabilities – a passion for their importance in our society, which has driven a remarkable career to date”. McGrath also noted that her Honour’s “commitment to society in becoming a judge”, reflects her Honour’s “commitment to the law”.