Perth barrister Narelle Johnson QC has been named judge of the Supreme Court

Perth barrister Narelle Johnson QC has been named judge of the Supreme Court, to commence the appointment on August 1.

Most recently, she served as a commissioner of the Supreme Court during the absence of Justice Owen at the HIH Royal Commission.

A former president of Women Lawyers of WA, Ms Johnson is currently president of the Equal Opportunity Tribunal – prior to her latest appointment, there were only two female Supreme Court judges, compared with 15 males.

Ms Johnson has appeared regularly in the District, Supreme and Federal Courts and has also appeared in the High Court. She was also counsel assisting in a number of Inquiries and Royal Commissions.

In other changes, Vicki Stewart has been named stipendiary magistrate for the Perth metropolitan area, replacing Peter Thobaven, who retired this month.