The Deputy Chief Judge assists the Chief Judge in the judicial administration of the Federal Circuit and Family Court. Particular responsibilities include case management, complaints about judges, the collection and strategic assessment of statistics, pastoral care and oversight of the Court’s committees.
In the absence of the Chief Judge, the Deputy Chief Judge performs and exercises the powers of the Chief Judge (s 24).
The Honourable Robert McClelland AO
The Deputy Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is the Honourable Justice Robert McClelland.
Deputy Chief Judge McClelland was appointed as a judge of the then Family Court in June 2015. His Honour has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Laws. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales as a solicitor in 1982 and signed the bar roll in 2011.
Deputy Chief Judge McClelland was elected as the Federal Member for Barton in 1996 and served as Commonwealth Attorney-General from 2007 to 2011 and Vice President of the Executive Council from 2010 to 2012.
Deputy Chief Judge McClelland was appointed on 17 September 2021 and presides in Sydney.
The Honourable Patrizia Mercuri
The Deputy Chief Judge (General and Fair Work) of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is the Honourable Judge Patrizia Mercuri.
Deputy Chief Judge Mercuri was appointed to the Melbourne Registry of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia on 25 September 2017. Her Honour graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws from Monash University, and was admitted to practice as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1991. Prior to her appointment to the Court, her Honour was a Partner at Lander & Rogers.
Deputy Chief Judge Mercuri was appointed on 17 September 2021 and presides in Melbourne.
