Walter Sofronoff
Walter Sofronoff KC is an Australian jurist and lawyer who served as the President of the Queensland Court of Appeal (2017–2022) and as the Solicitor-General of Queensland from 2005 to 2014.
Walter Sofronoff | |
---|---|
President of the Queensland Court of Appeal | |
In office 3 April 2017 – 20 May 2022 | |
Preceded by | Margaret McMurdo |
Succeeded by | Debra Mullins |
Solicitor-General of Queensland | |
In office 17 February 2005 – 13 March 2014 | |
Preceded by | Patrick Keane KC |
Succeeded by | Peter Dunning KC |
Personal details | |
Nationality | Australian |
Education | Anglican Church Grammar School University of Queensland |
Early life and education
Sofronoff attended the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane,[1] and completed a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of Queensland in 1976.[2]
Career
Sofronoff was called to the Bar in 1977 and took silk in 1988.[2]
He served as a member (1980–82), vice-president (1992–94) and president (1994–96) of the Bar Association of Queensland Committee.[2] He has also been a member of the Queensland Incorporated Council of Law Reporting (1999–2004), president of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal (2001–05), a member of the Royal Australian Navy Reserve (2003–2014) and a member of The University of Queensland Law School Advisory Board (2014–).[2] In 1999, Mr Sofronoff was an adjunct professor of law at The University of Queensland.[2]
Solicitor-General of Queensland
Sofronoff served as the Solicitor-General of Queensland from 2005 to 2014.[2] He was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including those involving surgeon Jayant Patel and the Aurukun Nine, nine men convicted of the gang rape of a 10-year-old girl in far north Queensland.[3] He resigned as solicitor-general in 2014 amid tensions between the Newman government and the legal fraternity that resulted from the appointment of Tim Carmody as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland.[4]
In 2016, Sofronoff was responsible for the successful High Court appeal that overturned the Queensland Court of Appeal's decision to downgrade Gerard Baden-Clay's murder conviction to manslaughter.[4] Although it is normal practice for a sitting solicitor-general to lead High Court appeals, Sofronoff was briefed to appear instead of his successor and solicitor-general at the time, Peter Dunning QC.[4] After the appeal, it was reported by The Guardian Australia that Sofronoff had charged the Queensland government just $327 plus GST to run the appeal, "despite a QC of Sofronoff's standing usually commanding fees of up to $17,000 a day".[4]
President of the Queensland Court of Appeal
He was appointed President of the Queensland Court of Appeal on 3 April 2017,[2] after President Margaret McMurdo resigned after more than 18 years as a judge of the Court of Appeal.[5] Sofronoff retired from the role on 20 May 2022.[6]
Inquiries and reviews
On 11 May 2015, Sofronoff was appointed as Commissioner for the Grantham Floods Commission of Inquiry.[7] In his written report, Sofronoff concluded that the flood "was a natural disaster and that no human agency caused it or could ever have prevented it".[8]
Sofronoff was appointed to lead a review of Queensland's parole system in 2016.[9]
On 6 June 2022, Sofronoff was appointed as Commissioner for the Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland.[10]
Personal life
Sofronoff is married. He has three children and one daughter-in-law.[11]
References
- Mason, James (2011). Churchie: The Centenary Register. Anglican Church Grammar School. ISBN 978-0-646-55807-3.
- "The Honourable Justice Walter Sofronoff". Supreme Court Library of Queensland. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- Caldwell, Felicity (31 March 2017). "Walter Sofronoff becomes new president of the Court of Appeal". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- Robertson, Joshua (9 September 2016). "Queensland government billed just $327 by Baden-Clay appeal barrister". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- Kos, Andrew (31 March 2017). "Walter Sofronoff appointed to head Queensland Court of Appeal". ABC News. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- Keim, Tony (19 May 2022). "Court of Appeal President Walter Sofronoff retires". Proctor. Queensland Law Society. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- "About the Commission". Grantham Floods Commission of Inquiry. Queensland Government. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- Sofronoff QC, Walter. "Report" (PDF). Grantham Floods Commission of Inquiry. Queensland Government. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- "About the Review". Queensland Parole System Review. Queensland Government. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- "Home". Commission of Inquiry into DNA Testing Conducted by Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services. Queensland Government.
- "Welcome ceremony for the Honourable Walter Sofronoff as the President of the Court of Appeal" (PDF). Retrieved 3 February 2018.