17 September 2021
Media Release: Appointment of Deputy Chief Judges of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
The Commonwealth Attorney-General, the Hon Michaela Cash, has today announced the appointment of two Deputy Chief Judges of Division 2 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court).  
The Honourable Deputy Chief Justice Robert McClelland has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Judge (Family Law) in Division 2 of the Court. This is in addition to his Honour’s existing appointment as Deputy Chief Justice of Division 1 of the Court. 
Her Honour Deputy Chief Judge Patrizia Mercuri has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Judge (General and Fair Work). 
The Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Hon Will Alstergren, said that he is delighted with the appointments. 
“Both Deputy Chief Justice McClelland and Deputy Chief Judge Mercuri have made outstanding contributions to the Courts, and have already demonstrated their leadership skills. Both Deputy Chief Judges will provide invaluable assistance to me with the management of the business of the Court across all jurisdictions.” 
Deputy Chief Justice McClelland was appointed as a judge of the Family Court in June 2015. Justice McClelland has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Laws. His Honour was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales as a solicitor in 1982 and signed the bar roll in 2011. Deputy Chief Justice 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 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 Landers & Rogers.
Denise Healy, Director - Media and Public Affairs
p: 03 8638 6436  m: 0409 743 695  e: denise.healy@fcfcoa.gov.au