Media Release
7 March 2025
The following statement is to be attributed to Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia, Debra Mortimer:
I am pleased to announce the re-appointment of Sia Lagos as Chief Executive Officer & Principal Registrar of the Federal Court of the Australia for a period of two years, commencing from 15 May 2025. Under s 18C of the Federal Court of Australia Act1976 (Cth), the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar is appointed by the Governor-General, by written instrument and on the nomination of the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia.
My nomination for Ms Lagos’s re-appointment was supported by both Chief Justice Alstergren, Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court Of Australia (Division 1) and Chief Judge of the FCFCOA (Division 2) and President Smith, the President of the National Native Title Tribunal. They were consulted because the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar holds the office responsible for the provision of corporate services to the FCFCOA (Divisions 1 and 2) and to the NNTT through the Federal Court listed entity, and the office is also responsible for the management and supervision of all APS employees in the Federal Court, the FCFCOA (Divisions 1 and 2) and the NNTT.
Ms Lagos’s re-appointment as CEO & Principal Registrar will continue until 14 May 2027, after which time she has advised of her intention to retire from the role.
I had previously communicated that an open and transparent process would be undertaken to fill this position. I remain committed to such a process to secure a new CEO & Principal Registrar for a five-year term, following Ms Lagos’s retirement from the role. However, my considered view is that this open and competitive process is best undertaken after the completion of some vital work that will take a little longer to complete.
I have worked closely with Ms Lagos over the last two years on the operations of the Federal Court listed entity and in her role as CEO & Principal Registrar of the Federal Court. While much has been achieved in a short period of time, there are a number of important ongoing reforms yet to be fully implemented, such as the full implementation across the FCA and the FCFCOA (Divisions 1 and 2) of the digital court management system, CourtPath, and organisational realignment reforms within the Federal Court listed entity to ensure more comprehensive and streamlined provision of corporate services across the three Courts and the NNTT. I determined it was important to prioritise the completion of these projects, which will be best achieved through the continuity of Ms Lagos’s leadership.
