Deputy State Solicitor appointed Solicitor-General

• Craig Bydder SC appointed as Solicitor-General of Western Australia
• Lawyer headed the civil litigation section of the State Solicitor's Office
• Mr Bydder was appointed Deputy State Solicitor in 2017 and a Senior Counsel in 2022

Attorney General John Quigley is pleased to announce the appointment of Senior Counsel Craig Bydder as Solicitor-General of Western Australia.

Mr Bydder has spent more than two decades working for the State Solicitor's Office (SSO) after being admitted to practice in 1999.

During this period he has led and supervised the Office's civil litigation section, culminating in his elevation to the position of Deputy State Solicitor six years ago.

He has practised extensively as counsel in all courts and tribunals, including the High Court and the Court of Appeal, and appeared for the State in a number of high-profile matters.

Mr Bydder has provided advice to successive Governments and their agencies across a wide range of areas.

These have included constitutional, administrative, regulatory prosecution, local government and planning and environment law.

In October 2022 he was appointed a Senior Counsel.

Mr Bydder commenced in his new role this week. He replaces former Solicitor-General Joshua Thomson.

Comments attributed to Attorney General John Quigley:

"I congratulate Craig Bydder on his appointment as the Solicitor-General of WA.

"Mr Bydder has performed with distinction in his previous positions at the State Solicitor's Office over a legal career spanning almost 25 years.

"He also played a key role as part of the team advising the Government on management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"His skill and experience as a litigator and strategic adviser with the SSO make him ideally suited to serving the Government in the years to come."