Criminal law experts appointed as Western Australian Magistrates

• Two new Magistrates appointed to the Magistrates Court of Western Australia
• Clare Stanyer and Daniel Johnson have strong criminal law backgrounds

Experienced legal practitioners Clare Stanyer and Daniel Johnson have been appointed as Magistrates of the Magistrates Court of Western Australia.

They join the judiciary after lengthy careers practising primarily in the field of criminal law – most recently as a Senior State Prosecutor and a barrister, respectively.

Ms Stanyer holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Murdoch University and a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Behavioural Science from Swinburne University. She served as a State Prosecutor and a Senior State Prosecutor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for WA (ODPP) from 2010 to 2026, having earlier completed her articles with the ODPP in 2008-2009.

Her period at the ODPP was punctuated by a 12-month term in 2019-2020 when she worked as a senior lawyer with the Corruption and Crime Commission.

As a prosecutor, Ms Stanyer regularly appeared in all State courts as counsel in cases involving criminal matters including property and drug offences, serious assaults, and homicides.

Ms Stanyer was promoted to the position of Senior State Prosecutor and Practice Manager of one of the ODPP’s trial teams in April 2023, which involved her exercising functions on behalf of the DPP and managing a large team of State Prosecutors.

Mr Johnson holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from The University of Western Australia and became a seasoned trial advocate as a State Prosecutor at the ODPP for more than nine years across two periods beginning in 2007.

He gained further experience as a litigator working in private practice in London during 2013-2014.

In 2019, he joined the independent bar specialising in criminal law and since then has appeared as lead trial counsel in a number of courts.

Mr Johnson also appeared as lead counsel in the Court of Appeal and Coroner’s Court, has been recognised in the Doyle’s Guide as a recommended criminal law barrister, and has coached newly admitted barristers as part of the Essential Trial Advocacy Course.

Ms Stanyer and Mr Johnson will commence in their new roles on 27 July.

As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:

“I congratulate Clare Stanyer and Daniel Johnson on their appointments as Magistrates of the Magistrates Court of Western Australia.

“Both bring extensive advocacy expertise to the judicial role after having appeared as counsel in numerous complex criminal matters over many years.

“Ms Stanyer served with distinction at the ODPP where she became a Senior State Prosecutor and practice manager of one of its three trial teams that oversaw hundreds of prosecutions at a time.

“Mr Johnson’s distinguished legal career saw him advance to the independent bar specialising in criminal law which was preceded by almost a decade as a State Prosecutor.

“Their strong familiarity with courtroom and trial processes and procedures make them both highly suitable to presiding in the Court. I wish them well.”