Victoria Supreme Court: Lisa Nichols Appointed to Court of Appeal

• Justice Lisa Nichols has been appointed as a judge of appeal to the Victoria Court of Appeal, effective September 29, 2026.
• Meghan O'Sullivan has joined the Supreme Court of Victoria as a judge, taking a position in the Commercial Court.
• Justice Nichols' career spans nearly three decades, including roles in major Royal Commissions and extensive experience in commercial law and class actions.
• Justice O'Sullivan brings two decades of bar experience, specializing in commercial, common, and insurance law, and previously served as vice president of the Commercial Bar Association.
• These appointments are part of broader judicial changes in Victoria, including new judges for the County Court and a new president for the Court of Appeal.

Lawyers practicing in these specialized fields should take note of these judicial changes, as the deep expertise of Justice Nichols and Justice O'Sullivan may influence future judicial approaches and the development of precedents within Victoria's legal landscape.

The Victorian Supreme Court has announced significant judicial appointments, with Justice Lisa Nichols elevated to the Court of Appeal and Meghan O'Sullivan joining the Supreme Court as a judge. Justice Nichols' appointment as a judge of appeal for the Supreme Court of Victoria's Court of Appeal is effective from September 29, 2026. Concurrently, Meghan O'Sullivan has commenced her tenure as a judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria, specifically taking a position within its Commercial Court.

These appointments, which were welcomed by the Victorian Supreme Court in a recent news release, were made by the Executive Council. Notably, Meghan O'Sullivan steps into the role in the Commercial Court previously held by Justice Nichols, who had been a member of that court since 2019. The changes reflect a strategic re-shaping of the state's higher courts.

Justice Lisa Nichols brings nearly three decades of legal experience to her new role on the Court of Appeal. Her extensive career prior to joining the bench included significant involvement in several high-profile inquiries, such as acting in the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation, and Financial Services Industry, the Bushfires Royal Commission, and the Victorian Mental Health Royal Commission. Her expertise was formally recognized in 2017 when she was appointed silk.

Before her initial judicial appointment, Justice Nichols practiced as a barrister at Chancery Chambers and served as a partner at Slater and Gordon. Her legal practice encompassed a broad range of complex areas, including class actions, commercial law, competition and consumer matters, professional liability, and torts causing economic loss. She earned her Bachelor of Laws degree with first-class honours from Monash University.

Justice Meghan O'Sullivan's judicial appointment to the Supreme Court follows two decades of experience at the bar. Her legal practice has spanned diverse fields, including commercial, common, and insurance law, as well as property, equity, trusts, and torts. She has represented clients in various jurisdictions, appearing before the Federal Court of Australia and all of Victoria's state courts and tribunals.

Prior to her appointment, Justice O'Sullivan practiced from Ninian Stephen Chambers 3909 and previously worked as a solicitor at Mallesons Stephen Jaques, now known as Mallesons. She was admitted into legal practice in 2002 and joined the bar in 2005. Her leadership roles within the legal community include serving as vice president of the Commercial Bar Association and as a member of the pro bono committee of the Victorian Bar. Justice O'Sullivan holds Bachelor of Laws and philosophy degrees with honours and achieved international recognition by winning the World University Debating Championships during her time at Monash University.

These appointments are part of a series of recent changes within Victoria's judiciary. The Supreme Court of Victoria also announced the appointment of Justice Rowena Orr as the new president of the Court of Appeal, effective September 29, 2026. She will succeed Justice Karin Emerton, who retired from her position on September 28, 2026.

Further judicial changes have been made at the County Court of Victoria. On July 7, 2026, the County Court announced the appointment of Malcolm Harding as a judge in its Common Law Division, with his tenure also commencing on that date. Additionally, on May 12, 2026, the Victorian County Court welcomed four new judges: Rose Falla, Tara Hartnett, Peter Matthews, and Rebecca Wilson, further strengthening the state's judicial capacity.

The appointments of Justice Lisa Nichols to the Victoria Court of Appeal and Justice Meghan O'Sullivan to the Supreme Court's Commercial Court carry significant implications for legal practitioners in the state. Both judges possess extensive experience in critical areas such as commercial law, class actions, and competition law.

Lawyers practicing in these specialized fields should take note of these judicial changes, as the deep expertise of Justice Nichols and Justice O'Sullivan may influence future judicial approaches and the development of precedents within Victoria's legal landscape.

Lawyers practicing in commercial law, class actions, or competition law in Victoria should note the appointment of Justice Lisa Nichols to the Court of Appeal and Justice Meghan O'Sullivan to the Supreme Court's Commercial Court, as their extensive experience in these areas may influence future judicial approaches and precedents.

Source: Original reporting via Australasian Lawyer