Queensland Law Society has praised the State Government for its appointment of esteemed and highly respected silk David Kent to the Queensland District Court.

Society president Bill Potts and chief executive officer Amelia Hodge said Judge Kent QC was an inspired choice. They said Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath should be congratulated for appointing such a revered lawyer to replace recently retired Judge Nick Samios.

“I think Judge Kent is an exceptional choice and brings more than 25 years of experience to his role on the bench,’’ Ms Hodge said. “The Society welcomes his appointment.’’

Mr Potts said Judge Kent was well known and liked in Queensland legal circles and brought a remarkable blend of fairness and balance to the role as a judge of the District Court.

The comments follow Thursday’s announcement by Mr D’Ath of Judge Kent’s appointment.

“Judge Kent’s career in the law spans more than 25 years, commencing in the Public Trust Office and Public Defender’s office,’’ she said.

“He was called to the bar in 1989 and has considerable experience in criminal law, personal injury matters, industrial hearings, and in the areas of administrative and commercial law.’’

During his stellar career to date, Judge Kent more recently appeared on behalf of the State Government at the Commonwealth Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse,

He also last year served as Queensland’s Acting Commissioner of the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Judge Kent is expected to be sworn in next week.