# Stephen Free

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Australian judge

The Honourable Justice Stephen Free Judge of the New South Wales Court of Appeal Incumbent Assumed office 12 May 2025 Nominated by Michael Daley Appointed by Margaret Beazley Personal details Parent Ross Free (father) Education Springwood High School Alma mater Australian National University (BA, LLB) Magdalen College, Oxford (BCL, MPhil) Occupation Judge, barrister

**Stephen John Free** is a judge of the [New South Wales Court of Appeal](/source/New_South_Wales_Court_of_Appeal), the highest court in the State of [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales), [Australia](/source/Australia), which forms part of the [Australian court hierarchy](/source/Australian_court_hierarchy).

## Early life and education

Free was born in the [Blue Mountains](/source/Blue_Mountains%2C_New_South_Wales) region of [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales) to Ross and Jennifer. Free's father, [Ross](/source/Ross_Free), was a minister in the [Hawke](/source/Bob_Hawke) and [Keating](/source/Paul_Keating) governments and served in the [Parliament of Australia](/source/Parliament_of_Australia) as the Federal [Member of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament_(Australia)) for [Macquarie](/source/Division_of_Macquarie) and [Lindsay](/source/Division_of_Lindsay).[1]

Free attended [Springwood High School](/source/Springwood_High_School_(New_South_Wales)), where he ranked first in the state in the [Higher School Certificate](/source/Higher_School_Certificate_(New_South_Wales)), achieving a perfect score in the [Universities Admission Index](/source/Universities_Admission_Index).[1] He then enrolled at the [Australian National University](/source/Australian_National_University), where he graduated with the [University Medal](/source/University_Medal) in both [arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) and [law](/source/Bachelor_of_Laws). Free was later awarded a [Commonwealth Scholarship](/source/Commonwealth_Scholarship) to attend [Magdalen College](/source/Magdalen_College), [Oxford](/source/University_of_Oxford), where he read for a [Bachelor of Civil Law](/source/Bachelor_of_Civil_Law) and a [Master of Philosophy](/source/Master_of_Philosophy) in law.[2][3] In 2000, Free was awarded the [Vinerian Scholarship](/source/Vinerian_Scholarship) for "best performance in the examination for the degree of [Bachelor of Civil Law](/source/Bachelor_of_Civil_Law)".[2][3]

## Career

Following his return from Oxford, Free was admitted as a [solicitor](/source/Solicitor) and commenced practice at [Mallesons](/source/Mallesons) in [Sydney](/source/Sydney).[4] He later joined the [Crown Solicitor's Office](/source/Crown_Solicitor's_Office_(New_South_Wales)).[5] Free was [called to the bar](/source/Call_to_the_bar) in 2006 and commenced practice as a [barrister](/source/Barrister) at Eleven Wentworth.[4][6] He practised primarily in the areas of [constitutional law](/source/Australian_constitutional_law), [commercial law](/source/Commercial_law) and [administrative law](/source/Australian_administrative_law).[6] He was appointed [senior counsel](/source/Senior_counsel) in 2018.[4][5][7]

During his time as a barrister, Free acted in several [Royal Commissions](/source/Royal_Commissions). He was counsel assisting the [Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse](/source/Royal_Commission_into_Institutional_Responses_to_Child_Sexual_Abuse) and was also instructed in the [Royal Commissions](/source/Royal_Commission) into [Defence and Veterans Suicide](/source/Royal_Commission_into_Defence_and_Veterans_Suicide), and into [Aged Care Quality and Safety](/source/Royal_Commission_into_Aged_Care_Quality_and_Safety).[6][5] He acted for the [Independent Commission Against Corruption](/source/Independent_Commission_Against_Corruption_(New_South_Wales)) in the [Court of Appeal](/source/New_South_Wales_Court_of_Appeal) in proceedings against former [Premier of New South Wales](/source/Premier_of_New_South_Wales), [Gladys Berejiklian](/source/Gladys_Berejiklian).[4][8][9][10] He also acted for Australian [Guantanamo Bay](/source/Guantanamo_Bay) detainee [David Hicks](/source/David_Hicks) in proceedings against the [Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions](/source/Director_of_Public_Prosecutions_(Australia)) concerning the publication of Hicks' memoirs, *[Guantanamo: My Journey](/source/Guantanamo%3A_My_Journey)*.[11] Free also served as a member of [Football Australia's](/source/Football_Australia) appeals, disciplinary and ethics committees.[5]

Free was nominated by [Attorney General of New South Wales](/source/Attorney_General_of_New_South_Wales) [Michael Daley](/source/Michael_Daley) as a judge of the [Supreme Court of New South Wales](/source/Supreme_Court_of_New_South_Wales) and as a [judge of appeal](/source/New_South_Wales_Court_of_Appeal) on 2 April 2025. He was sworn in as a judge on 12 May 2025.[12] In 2025, Free joined with [Chief Justice](/source/Chief_Justice_of_New_South_Wales) [Bell](/source/Andrew_Bell_(judge)) and [President](/source/New_South_Wales_Court_of_Appeal) [Ward](/source/Julie_Ward_(judge)) to reject a challenge brought by [old boys](/source/Old_boys) of [Newington College](/source/Newington_College) concerning the school's move to [co-education](/source/Co-education).[13] Later that year, Free joined with the Chief Justice and Chief Judge at Common Law Ian Harrison to reject an appeal from the Palestine Action Network concerning its application to hold a [protest regarding the Gaza war](/source/Gaza_war_protests_in_Australia) at the [Sydney Opera House](/source/Sydney_Opera_House).[14][15]

## Personal life

Free is married to Kim, who he met while a student at the [University of Oxford](/source/University_of_Oxford). They have two children. Free is a supporter of the [Penrith Panthers](/source/Penrith_Panthers) in the [National Rugby League](/source/National_Rugby_League).[16]

## See also

- [Supreme Court of New South Wales](/source/Supreme_Court_of_New_South_Wales)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BMG_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BMG_1-1) Madigan, Damien (7 April 2025). ["'Wonderful news': From Springwood High School to the NSW Supreme Court"](https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/8933539/stephen-free-appointed-nsw-supreme-court-judge/). *www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bnews_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bnews_2-1) Lloyd, Stephen (2025). "Appointment of Justice Stephen Free". *Bar News*. **86** (Winter): 82.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-oxford_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-oxford_3-1) ["Stephen Free appointed to Supreme Court of NSW and Court of Appeal"](https://www.magd.ox.ac.uk/news/stephen-free-appointed-to-supreme-court-of-nsw-and-court-of-appeal/). *Magdalen College, Oxford*. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-lsj_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-lsj_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-lsj_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-lsj_4-3) Wendy, Yang (2 April 2025). ["Experienced barrister Stephen Free SC appointed to Supreme Court and Court of Appeal"](https://lsj.com.au/articles/experienced-barrister-stephen-free-sc-appointed-to-supreme-court-and-court-of-appeal/). *Law Society Journal*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-al_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-al_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-al_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-al_5-3) Carolino, Bernise (7 April 2025). ["Stephen Free named a judge of appeal at the NSW Supreme Court"](https://www.thelawyermag.com/au/news/general/stephen-free-named-a-judge-of-appeal-at-the-nsw-supreme-court/531180). *Australian Lawyer*. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-lw_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-lw_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-lw_6-2) Doraisamy, Jerome (7 April 2025). ["'Highly respected' barrister appointed to NSW Supreme Court, Court of Appeal"](https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/the-bar/41857-highly-respected-barrister-appointed-to-nsw-supreme-court-court-of-appeal). *Lawyers Weekly*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Whitbourn, Michaela (5 October 2018). ["Hat-trick for prominent Sydney chambers as 2018 silks list revealed"](https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-chambers-2018-silks-sc-counsel-20181005-p507zu.html). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Bolza, Miklos (27 February 2024). ["Gladys Berejiklian influenced by 'serial pest' Maguire, argues lawyer"](https://www.9news.com.au/national/icac-continues-defence-of-berejiklian-corruption-report/18211f53-46e7-4c3e-9a92-e3b48b393d4d). *9 News*. AAP. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Patrick, Aaron (26 July 2024). ["Top barrister slams Berejiklian over corruption denial"](https://www.afr.com/politics/berejiklian-loses-bid-to-overturn-corruption-findings-20240726-p5jwtj). *Australian Financial Review*. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Rose, Tamsin (26 February 2024). ["Icac findings against Gladys Berejiklian based on 'depressing and unrealistic view of life', lawyer says"](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/26/icac-findings-gladys-berejiklian-corruption-appeal-trial-barrister-bret-walker-sc). *The Guardian*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Pollies disagree as Hicks' assets frozen"](https://www.smh.com.au/national/pollies-disagree-as-hicks-assets-frozen-20110803-1iahk.html). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Stephen Free SC appointed to the Supreme Court of NSW and Court of Appeal"](https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/media-releases/2025/stephen-free-sc-appointed-to-the-supreme-court-of-nsw-and-court-.html). *NSW Department of Communities and Justice*. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Harris, Christopher; Carroll, Lucy (14 October 2025). ["The court battle is over. There will be girls at Newington"](https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-court-battle-is-over-there-will-be-girls-at-newington-20251014-p5n2fj.html). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. Retrieved 2 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Farid, Farid; Wong, Kat (8 October 2025). ["Court blocks Opera House rally over 'crowd crush' fears"](https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/court-blocks-opera-house-rally-over-crowd-crush-fears-20251009-p5n1a4). *Australian Financial Review*. Retrieved 2 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Farid, Farid (9 October 2025). ["Court prohibits pro-Palestine protest at Sydney Opera House"](https://www.9news.com.au/national/court-to-rule-on-pro-palestinian-sydney-opera-house-protest/b6015975-2bba-4da0-8455-c0b3af29cefc). *9 News*. AAP. Retrieved 2 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Swearing-in Ceremony of Stephen John Free SC as a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and as a Judge of Appeal"](https://supremecourt.nsw.gov.au/documents/Publications/Speeches/2025-speeches/Free_120525.pdf) (PDF). *Supreme Court of New South Wales*. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Stephen Free](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Free) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Free?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.