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Three law graduates join the bench

6 April 2005

Three Monash Law alumni have been appointed to the Victorian judiciary. Mr Kevin Bell QC has been appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court, Ms Felicity Hampel SC to the bench of the County Court, and the Victorian Solicitor for Public Prosecutions, Ms Kay Robertson, to the bench of the Melbourne Magistrates' Court.

The Honourable Justice Bell (BA 1976, LLB (Honours) 1978) has joined the Supreme Court after 26 years in legal practice including eight years as a Queen's Counsel. His career has been mainly in administrative and industrial relations law.

Following his appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Bell paid tribute to Monash. "My grounding at Monash University was fundamental to the success of my legal career, which has culminated in my recent appointment," he said. "I remain forever grateful for the support and encouragement given to me by my university teachers and student peers." 

Ms Hampel (BA 1977, LLB 1979) is an adjunct professor in the Law faculty. She is also a past president of Liberty Victoria, a Victorian Law Reform commissioner, a former convenor of the Women Barristers Association and a founding member of Australian Women Lawyers.

She described her appointment as an honour. "It is gratifying to be part of an increasingly high representation of Monash graduates achieving judicial office, holding major public offices and participating in public life," Ms Hampel said. "I look forward to continuing my close association with Monash."

Ms Robertson (BSc 1977, LLB 1979) had a long and distinguished career with Victorian LegalAid, where she rose from duty solicitor to become manager, Family and Civil Law, before being appointed Solicitor for the Office of Public Prosecutions in 2001.

She said her latest appointment would be challenging. "The Magistrates' Court has the greatest diversity of cases of any of the courts," Ms Robertson said.