Judge’s death ‘reminder of extraordinary pressure’ Searchers ‘gave hope’

THE devastated family of Federal Circuit Court judge Guy Andrew has thanked search crews who gave them “strength and hope” as they spent five days scouring Brisbane’s bushland to find him.

The body of the missing judge was found in Brisbane’s D’aguilar National Park on Thursday afternoon, after he went missing on Sunday.

His death has prompted legal figures to call for greater awareness of the extraordinary pressures placed on the profession and the associated mental health impacts.

Close friend and solicitor Nick Dore issued a statement on Friday on behalf of Judge Andrew’s wife, Nicole, and daughters.

“On behalf of Nicole, Morgan and Bridget, they have asked me to express their thanks and gratitude to all the friends, family and volunteers who took the time and travelled far to look for Guy,” Mr Dore said.

“Knowing there was so many people helping to look for him gave them strength and hope.”

Judge Andrew was found on the southern side of the Link Track, which begins about 3km from the street where his Toyota Hilux was found on Sunday. Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Judge Andrew was appointed as Townsville’s FCC judge last year but was relocated to Brisbane recently after criticism in relation to his treatment of a Queen’s Counsel and solicitor.

Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and Chief Justice of the Family Court Will Alstergren said Judge Andrew would be remembered as a “fine, highly respected barrister and a diligent and determined judge who lived a life of service to others and to the law”.

His death was a reminder of the “extraordinary pressure on all who practise in the often highly emotive family law jurisdiction”, Justice Alstergren said.

Australian Lawyers Alliance spokesman Greg Barns SC said “Judge Andrew’s death was another reminder that we still had a long way to go in the legal profession when it came to comprehensively dealing with mental illness among lawyers”.

“There has been some improvement and greater awareness in recent years but we need to recognise the rates of mental illness among lawyers are far too high,” he said.

Judge Guy Andrew, whose body was found on Thursday.