Dual Appointment to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and the Family Court of Western Australia

Attorney-General
Cabinet Secretary
Member for Isaacs
The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP

Attorney-General Western Australia
Member for Butler
Minister for Electoral Affairs
The Hon John Quigley LLB JP MLA

Joint media release

On behalf of the Australian Government and the Government of Western Australia, we are pleased to announce that Mr Steven Jones SC has been appointed as a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Division 1) and the Family Court of Western Australia (FCWA).

Mr Jones was admitted as a legal practitioner in the Supreme Court of Western Australia (WA) in 1983.

Mr Jones commenced his legal career as an articled clerk and was then employed as a solicitor in private practice. From 1987, Mr Jones worked as a solicitor at the Legal Aid Commission before commencing as a barrister in 2000.

Since joining the bar, Mr Jones' principal areas of practice have been in family law, child protection and care matters. He regularly acts as the chairperson in family law mediations and conducts lectures for the Family Law Practitioners Association.

Mr Jones was appointed Senior Counsel in 2021.

Mr Jones will replace the Honourable Justice Simon Moncrieff, who retires in May as a Judge of the FCWA and the FCFCOA (Division 1) after 13 years of service.

Comments attributed to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus

"I congratulate Mr Jones on his appointment and thank him for his willingness to serve the people of Australia as a Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and the Family Court of WA."

"I also thank Justice Moncrieff for his service to the Australian legal community."

"The Family Court of WA is unique in Australia as WA is the only state with a Family Court created under the Commonwealth Family Law Act, though for families in the state it plays the same vital role as the Commonwealth court."

Comments attributed to Attorney-General John Quigley

"Mr Jones' extensive practice experience in family law and child protection and care makes him an excellent choice for the Family Court.

"He has frequently appeared as an independent children's lawyer in the Family Court and been briefed in protection matters by the Department of Communities.

"I am confident Mr Jones will serve the court well and congratulate him on his appointment."