NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos announced the appointment yesterday, with Mr North set to be sworn in on July 29.

Currently living in Sydney, Mr North is a long-time partner in a law firm operating out of Dubbo and Sydney.

His career, launched in 1983 after study at Sydney University, has included stints representing his State and national colleagues.

In 2000 Mr North served as president of the NSW Law Society.

He was also president of the Australian Law Council from 2005 to 2006.

Mr North is an executive member of the council’s international law section, with responsibility for human rights.

In his 26-year career, the solicitor has appeared often in the district court and almost all other NSW courts and tribunals.

He has also acted in cases before a range of Commonwealth courts, including the High Court of Australia.

Mr North’s practice of the law has included extensive Legal Aid and pro bono cases, including indigenous and child care matters.

Mr Hatzistergos congratulated Mr North on his appointment and said his broad experience in the law would prove a valuable asset on the bench of the district court.

In recent years Mr North has regularly provided comment to the Daily Liberal on human rights issues.

Among his high-profile clients has been former Guantanamo Bay inmate David Hicks.