Ethan Walker
Chief Judge Peter Barrington Kidd SC, who has served as Chief Judge of the County Court of Victoria since 2015, is not known to be a Catholic. However, he has been involved in a high-profile case involving a Catholic cleric, Cardinal George Pell, whom he sentenced to six years in jail for the sexual abuse of two choirboys in the 1990s. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Kidd explicitly stated that he was not sitting in judgment of the Catholic religion or the Catholic Church and that Cardinal Pell was being punished only for his specific crimes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Barrington Kidd |
| Occupation | Judge |
| Court | County Court of Victoria |
| Sentencing | Cardinal George Pell |
| Sentence | Six years' imprisonment |
| Charge | Sexual abuse of two choirboys |
| Affiliation | Not Catholic |
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What You'll Learn
Judge Peter Kidd's separation of the Catholic Church from the rule of law
Chief Judge Peter Kidd of the County Court of Victoria, Australia, gained prominence for his role in the trial and sentencing of Cardinal George Pell, a senior figure in the Catholic Church. In 2019, Kidd sentenced Pell to six years in jail for the sexual abuse of two choirboys in the 1990s.
In his preliminary observations, Kidd outlined the unique context of sentencing a high-profile Catholic cleric. He acknowledged the widespread publicity and criticism surrounding Pell, as well as the exposure of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Despite these external factors, Kidd emphasised the importance of adhering to the rule of law.
Judge Kidd explicitly stated that the court was not sitting in judgment of the Catholic religion or the Catholic Church. He clarified that Cardinal Pell was being sentenced as a member of the community, like any other, and that he would receive a balanced and steady hand of justice. Kidd asserted that Pell was not a scapegoat for the failings of the Catholic Church and that the sentence was based solely on the charges and evidence presented in court.
Judge Kidd's separation of the Catholic Church from the rule of law demonstrated his commitment to impartiality and the principle of sentencing without outside influences. He recognised the sensitivity and complexities of the case but ultimately prioritised the legal principles and the pursuit of justice within the framework of the law.
Judge Kidd's handling of the Pell case showcased his adherence to the rule of law, ensuring that the sentencing was based on the established legal principles and the specific charges against Cardinal Pell, rather than external factors or criticisms involving the Catholic Church as an institution.
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Kidd's sentencing of Cardinal George Pell
In 2019, Chief Judge Peter Kidd of the County Court of Victoria, Australia, sentenced Cardinal George Pell to six years in prison for sexually assaulting two choirboys in the late 1990s. Pell was convicted of one count of sexual penetration of a child and four counts of committing an indecent act with a child. The jury unanimously found him guilty of exposing himself to the two boys, fondling them, and forcing one to perform oral sex on him. The first victim provided taped evidence against Pell, which was only seen by the jury.
Prior to sentencing, Chief Judge Kidd outlined the unique context of sentencing a senior figure within the Catholic Church. He acknowledged the widespread publicity and criticism surrounding Cardinal Pell, stating that the cardinal was a "publicly vilified figure." Kidd emphasized that the court was not sitting in judgment of the Catholic religion or the Catholic Church but was imposing a sentence on Cardinal Pell for his actions. He addressed the current climate of anger towards the Catholic Church, stating that the Church was not on trial and that he was sentencing Pell as a member of the community, entitled to justice.
During the sentencing, Judge Kidd recounted the details of Pell's crimes, including the cardinal's position as Archbishop of Melbourne and his revered status within the Catholic Church at the time. Judge Kidd described Pell's actions as "callous, brazen offending," characterized by "arrogance, aggression, and impunity." He also acknowledged Pell's advanced age and the possibility that he might not live to be released from prison.
The sentencing of Cardinal George Pell by Chief Judge Peter Kidd drew international attention and was broadcast live worldwide. The case highlighted the separation of the Catholic Church from the rule of law, with Kidd emphasizing that Pell was being punished for his individual actions and not for any perceived failings of the Catholic Church.
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Kidd's career as a criminal lawyer
Peter Barrington Kidd SC is an Australian jurist with a background in criminal law. He has served as Chief Judge of the County Court of Victoria since 8 September 2015 and as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria since 24 May 2016.
Kidd later became a Senior Crown Prosecutor, prosecuting major gangland cases, such as Tony Mokbel’s drug trafficking crimes. In the mid-2000s, he worked internationally as an International Prosecutor at the War Crimes Chamber of the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, investigating and prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed during the Bosnian conflict in the 1990s. He prosecuted the commander and guard shift leaders from the Omarska and Keraterm concentration camps as lead counsel.
In 2009, Kidd returned to Australia and joined Victoria's Crown Prosecutors' Chambers. In November 2011, he was appointed Senior Counsel. Throughout his career as a criminal lawyer, Kidd demonstrated a commitment to justice and fairness, earning a reputation for his intense concentration, single-mindedness, and sound understanding of the law.
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Kidd's chairmanship of the County Court's Board of Management
Peter Barrington Kidd SC, born on October 4, 1965, is an Australian jurist. He has served as Chief Judge of the County Court of Victoria since September 8, 2015, and as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria since May 24, 2016.
As chief judge of the County Court, Kidd holds the chairmanship of the County Court's Board of Management. He is also a member of the Courts Council, the governing body of Court Services Victoria. Additionally, he sits on the boards of the Judicial College of Victoria and the Judicial Commission of Victoria.
During his tenure as chairman, Kidd has demonstrated a strong commitment to fairness and justice. One notable example is his handling of the trial of Cardinal George Pell in 2018-2019. In this case, Kidd carefully separated the Catholic Church from the rule of law. He made clear that the sentencing of Cardinal Pell was based solely on the individual's actions and not on any reflection of the Catholic religion or the Catholic Church as a whole. Kidd's preliminary observations acknowledged the unique context of sentencing a high-profile member of the Catholic clergy in the midst of widespread publicity and criticism of the Church. He emphasized that Cardinal Pell was entitled to justice, just like any other member of the community.
Kidd's chairmanship has also been marked by his commitment to upholding the integrity of the legal process. In the Cardinal Pell case, he issued a suppression order to prevent the media from influencing the jury. He took a strong stance against what he deemed "egregious and flagrant" breaches of this order, considering punishment for members of the media who violated it. This decision sparked controversy and discussions about judicial overreach.
Prior to his role as Chief Judge, Kidd had a distinguished career in law. He worked as an International Prosecutor at the War Crimes Chamber of the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2005 to 2008, investigating and prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide related to the Bosnian conflict. He then joined Victoria's Crown Prosecutors' Chambers in 2009 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2011.
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Kidd's appointment as Chief Judge
Peter Barrington Kidd SC, an Australian jurist, was appointed Chief Judge of the County Court of Victoria on 8 September 2015. He has also served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria since 24 May 2016. Kidd's career has been described as stellar, reaching the highest levels of the legal profession.
In the mid-2000s, Kidd took on an international role as an International Prosecutor at the War Crimes Chamber of the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. There, he investigated and prosecuted war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed during the Bosnian conflict in the 1990s. Returning to Australia in 2009, he joined Victoria's Crown Prosecutors' Chambers and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2011.
Upon his appointment as Chief Judge, Kidd outlined his approach to the role, stating, "I will respect tradition, however I will readily embrace new and good ideas". As Chief Judge, he chairs the County Court's Board of Management and is a member of the Courts Council, the governing body of Court Services Victoria. He also sits on the boards of the Judicial College of Victoria and the Judicial Commission of Victoria.
One of Kidd's most notable cases as Chief Judge was the trial of Cardinal George Pell in 2018-2019. Pell, a senior figure in the Catholic Church, was convicted of sexually abusing two choirboys in the 1990s. In his sentencing remarks, Kidd emphasised that Pell was not being judged or punished for any failures of the Catholic Church but solely for his own criminal actions. Kidd's handling of the case was praised for his fairness and commitment to the rule of law, even as he faced significant public scrutiny and pressure.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear whether Judge Peter Kidd is Catholic. However, he has been noted for his ability to separate the Catholic Church from the rule of law.
Judge Peter Kidd is known for his role in sentencing Cardinal George Pell to six years in jail for the sexual abuse of two choirboys.
Judge Peter Kidd stated that the court was not "sitting in judgment of the Catholic religion or the Catholic Church". He also acknowledged that Cardinal Pell was being sentenced at a time of exposure of child sexual abuse within institutional settings, including within the Catholic Church.
