Justice Michael Elkaim, SC, is well aware of the lengthy campaign that led to his appointment as the ACT Supreme Court's long-awaited fifth resident judge.
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He was sworn in at a special ceremonial sitting on Monday in what was a watershed moment for Canberra's legal fraternity, after an extended fight for an additional judge to help ease pressure on the existing four judges and associate justice.
Justice Elkaim, a respected former NSW District Court judge, said he had done his best "to be fair, to listen and to make timely decisions" as he joined the newly bolstered full bench of the Supreme Court for the first time.
"I'm aware that the appointment of a fifth judge to this court has been debated for some time.
"I'm honoured to be the first fifth judge and I hope I will justify the creation of the position."
ACT Solicitor-General Peter Garrison, who spoke on behalf of Attorney-General Simon Corbell, said Justice Elkaim's arrival would boost the court system's flexibility and provide the resources needed to manage its caseload.
Mr Garrison said one of the peak considerations in the appointment – which followed an extensive, merit-based process – had been the ability of the incoming judge to act promptly, decisively and ensure cases were dealt with efficiently.
He said Justice Elkaim was highly regarded by his colleagues for his intelligence, diligence and decisiveness, as well as his good humour and approachable style – all qualities that would serve him well in the ACT.
"You're recognised as hard working and knowledgeable, with a keenly developed sense of justice."
ACT Bar Association president Ken Archer said Justice Elkaim's appointment would give the court system greater flexibility and capacity to deal with matters in a timely way.
His sentiments were echoed by ACT Law Society president Martin Hockridge, who said the system had been constrained by a lack of judicial resources in recent years – a problem that was being addressed.
He pointed out Justice Elkaim had arrived as work on the Civic court precinct redevelopment was well under way.
Justice Elkaim was born in South Africa and graduated from the University of Rhodesia with a bachelor of laws in 1974, gaining his master's at the University of London.
He later moved to Sydney where he practised as a barrister in common, family, criminal and commercial law. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2002 and joined the bench of the NSW District Court in 2008.
Calls for a fifth judge had started as early as 2009, when former ACT Supreme Court Chief Justice Terence Higgins warned four judges were not enough to meet the court's rising caseload.
It was argued an extra judge was sorely needed to ensure cases were dealt with quickly, without compromising the quality of decision-making, as backlog created significant delays that frustrated victims, offenders, witnesses, lawyers and judges.
A new chief justice was brought in from the NSW District Court, Chief Justice Helen Murrell, who made changes including a new system of intensively listing criminal trials, which has since led to significant reductions in the backlog.
The government flagged its intention to fund the position in the 2015-16 budget.
