Anastasis (Tass) Liveris has been given the immense honour of being appointed as a Judge in Darwin registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA).

The Darwin barrister’s new post was announced on Monday by the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Mark Dreyfus KC MP, with him commencing the role immediately.

The Chief Justice and Chief Judge of the FCFCOA, William Alstergren, spoke highly of Mr Liveris’ appointment into the position, believing him to be a worthy representative for the area.

“Not only is Judge Liveris a highly qualified lawyer, but he is also a third-generation Territorian. He has demonstrated a commitment to the Northern Territory and provides a deep understanding and knowledge of its people,” Mr Alstergren said.

Justice Liveris had applied for the role following an open call for expressions of interest and was put forward by a panel which included Mr Alstergren, a former Chief Justice of the then Family Court of Australia, and a senior officer from the Attorney-General’s Department.

The Chief Justice and Chief Judge of the FCFCOA noted Mr Liveris’ wealth of experience since graduating from Northern Territory University (Now Charles Darwin University) with both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law in 2001.

He was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 2002 and worked for a number of years at the Perth Office of the Commonwealth DPP and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Western Australia.

He then returned to the Northern Territory in 2008 when he joined the litigation and dispute resolution division of Clayton Utz before joining the Northern Territory Bar two years later in 2010.

In addition to this, he also acted as president of the Law Society of the Northern Territory during 2015-2017, was appointed as a Director of the Law Council of Australia in 2015 before joining its Executive in 2018 and then finally becoming its President in 2022 (the third Territorian to hold that office).

“Judge Liveris comes to the Court with diverse experience,” Mr Alstergren remarked on Judge Liveris, who was a member of William Forster Chambers in Darwin, practising in a diverse range of areas in Northern Territory and federal courts and tribunals prior to this appointment.

Mr Liveris replaces The Hon Judge Anthony Young, who served the Court with distinction between July 31 2015 and August 16 2023.

“His Honour will play a critical part in the Court’s commitment to providing access to justice to the people of Australia, and importantly, to the communities living across the Northern Territory,” the Chief Justice said.