ANU Law School alumni Helen Roberts SC appointed to NSW Supreme Court

Source: https://law.anu.edu.au/news-and-events/news/alumni-helen-roberts-sc-appointed-nsw-supreme-court Parent: https://law.anu.edu.au/

13 March 2026

Helen Roberts SC has been appointed to the New South Wales Supreme Court. She graduated from ANU Law School with her Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Science in 1997.

She started her legal career as tipstaff to the late Supreme Court of NSW Justice Kim Santow. She later worked as an associate to former High Court of Australia Chief Justice Murray Gleeson AC KC before joining the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in 1999.

Ms Roberts went on to hold senior positions with the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office, the Northern Territory ODPP and as Deputy Coroner for the Northern Territory. Returning to the NSW ODPP, Ms Roberts was appointed a Crown Prosecutor in July 2010 and gained extensive trial experience in the District and Supreme Courts, specialising primarily in appellate work from 2017.

She was appointed as a Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor in February 2019, assuming joint responsibility for the Court of Criminal Appeal Unit. In September 2021, she was appointed senior counsel, and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in 2022.

In announcing her appointment, Attorney General Michael Daley said, “Ms Roberts is an exceptional lawyer who has enjoyed a distinguished career as a crown prosecutor and brings to the bench extensive experience in the administration of justice.

“Her expertise, integrity and dedication will be an asset to the Supreme Court of NSW. This appointment will strengthen the court’s capacity to deliver timely and fair justice to the community.”

She replaces Justice Mark Ierace, who has served on the bench since 2019, and will be sworn in on 16 March.