The ACT Magistrates Court has been dealing with increasing demand. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Experienced lawyer and tribunal member Heidi Robinson has been appointed as the ACT’s 10th magistrate in an expanded bench.
Funding for an extra magistrate was announced in the 2025-26 Budget to address increasing demand and improve court processing times for civil and criminal matters.
Attorney-General Tara Cheyne said Ms Robinson’s extensive experience across the ACT’s legal system, which included serving as a Presidential Member of the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, would be beneficial in her new role.
“I am pleased to be able to appoint Heidi Robinson as a magistrate to strengthen the capacity of the ACT Magistrates Court,” Ms Cheyne said.
“The expansion of the ACT Magistrates court to include a 10th magistrate reflects the ACT Government’s commitment to enabling the timely and efficient delivery of justice in the ACT.”
Ms Cheyne said Ms Robinson had experience in diverse parts of the ACT legal system, from public and private legal practice to nearly a decade as an ACAT member.
“She brings significant experience in a broad range of areas relevant to the Magistrates Court including employment and industrial law, civil claims, commercial disputes, child welfare law, mental health, building disputes, nuisance and negligence,” she said.
Ms Robinson has served as an ACAT member since 2016 and has been a Presidential Member since 2021.
New magistrate Heidi Robinson: “deeply honoured”. Photo: ACT Government.
Prior to this she was a barrister at Blackburn Chambers, a special counsel at the ACT Government Solicitor and a senior executive in the ACT Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate.
In her nearly 10 years as an ACAT member, she has presided over matters across all the Tribunal’s jurisdictions, including mental health, guardianship, civil disputes, contract disputes, negligence claims, consumer law claims, unit titles and retirement village disputes, discrimination, occupational discipline and administrative review of government decisions.
Ms Robinson said she was deeply honoured to be offered the appointment.
“I welcome the opportunity to continue serving the people of Canberra in this new role,” she said
The Attorney-General also announced that Marcus Hassall has been offered an appointment as an ACAT Presidential Member to fill a position created by the resignation of Dr Juliet Lucy as a full-time Presidential Member.
Dr Lucy will continue to serve the ACAT in a part-time capacity.
Mr Hassall is currently a Special Magistrate in the ACT Magistrates Court and a barrister at Blackburn Chambers. He is a former ACT Legal Aid Commissioner, president of the ACT Bar Association and federal prosecutor.
“Throughout his career Marcus Hassall has proven to have strong legal skills, careful judgment and a firm commitment to fairness and proper procedure,” Ms Cheyne said.
“I have no doubt that Mr Hassall’s skills and experience will contribute to the ongoing success of ACAT and the administration of justice in the ACT.”
Mr Hassall said: “I am thrilled to accept the offer of appointment as a Presidential Member of ACAT and look forward to continuing my contribution to the administration of justice in the ACT in this new capacity.”