The Attorney General today announced the appointment of Lloyd Babb SC as a Deputy President of the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW and Judge of the Industrial Court of NSW.
Mr Babb brings more than 30 years’ experience to the role—mainly in criminal law—covering both defence and prosecutions. He has dedicated his career to public service and legal leadership.
After attaining his law degree from Macquarie University in 1989, he completed a master’s degree at the University of Illinois in 1991. He worked as a solicitor, including at the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, before commencing at the NSW Bar in 1995.
Mr Babb was appointed Senior Counsel in 2007. He is widely recognised as one of Australia’s top criminal silks.
In addition to being NSW Director of Public Prosecutions for a decade from 2011 to 2021, Mr Babb was NSW’s Crown Advocate from 2007 to 2011, a statutory officer appointed under the Crown Advocate Act 1979 (NSW) to advise the Attorney General on criminal law, conduct proceedings on behalf of the Crown, and assist the Solicitor General.
Mr Babb had earlier worked as both a Crown Prosecutor and Public Defender in NSW. Most recently, he was the Northern Territory’s Director of Public Prosecutions for three and a half years, finishing that role in September 2025.
Mr Babb has conducted numerous criminal trials across the full range of offences, and for a considerable period mainly focused on complex homicide matters.
His considerable appellate experience involves appearing in several significant High Court cases.
Mr Babb will be formally sworn in and ceremonially welcomed on Tuesday, 28 July 2026 at 9am in Court 4.1, 47 Bridge Street, Sydney.
President of the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW, the Hon. Justice Taylor, welcomed the appointment, stating: “I am delighted by this appointment. Mr Babb is one of this country’s foremost criminal barristers. His appointment will significantly add to the criminal expertise of the Industrial Court and its capacity to exercise its critically important work health and safety jurisdiction.”
Click here to read the Attorney’s official media release.
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