In a significant development within Australia's judicial system, one of the nation's most senior judges has publicly confirmed he is in a relationship with a junior colleague, sparking operational changes to maintain impartiality. Federal Circuit and Family Court Chief Justice Will Alstergren, aged 63, revealed this week that he is in a consensual relationship with fellow judge Amanda Mansini, who is 41 years old. This admission follows a 'painful' separation from his wife approximately six months ago, a period the chief justice described as challenging for his family.
Court Confirms Relationship and Implements Safeguards
The Federal Circuit and Family Court issued a formal statement acknowledging the situation, emphasising that senior judges were informed promptly to address any potential conflicts of interest. 'Chief Justice Alstergren confirms that he separated from his wife almost six months ago, and he is in a consensual relationship with another judge,' the courts declared. 'Senior judges of the court were advised at that time, and appropriate steps have been in place since then to avoid any concerns of conflict of interest, such as administrative decisions.'
To ensure judicial integrity, the court has reorganised its operations, including preventing the pair from sitting on each other's appeals or serving on the same appeal benches. 'The chief justice will also not sit on appeals from a decision of the judge,' the statement added, highlighting proactive measures to uphold fairness.
Background and Professional Histories
Chief Justice Alstergren, the second-longest-serving chief justice in Australia, has a distinguished career that includes serving as President of the Australian Bar Association in 2017. Before his judicial appointment, he was a competitive bobsledder who captained Australia and nearly qualified for the Winter Olympics. He now presides over the largest court in Australia following the merger of the Federal Circuit and Family Court in 2021.
Justice Mansini, appointed to the Federal Circuit and Family Court in 2022, previously held the position of deputy president of the Fair Work Commission. She has been instrumental in promoting the court's therapy dog program, inspired by similar initiatives in the United States. 'This program was really born of a belief in the power of a human connection with dogs,' Justice Mansini explained in a past interview, detailing how the labradors provide comfort to individuals during court proceedings.
Public Attention and Privacy Concerns
The relationship became a topic of discussion among attendees at the Family Court's 50th anniversary event at the National Gallery of Victoria last week, where the pair were photographed together. They have also collaborated professionally, including travelling to the United Kingdom for the ninth World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights in Cambridge last July and attending a conference run by the Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioners Association.
In light of the personal nature of this development, Chief Justice Alstergren has appealed for privacy. 'The chief justice sincerely hopes that his family's privacy is respected as they navigate this painful and challenging time,' the court's statement concluded. The Federal Circuit and Family Court has not provided further comment, and the Daily Mail has reached out for additional details.
