Anthony Besanko

Anthony Besanko (born 8 May 1954)^[1] is an Australian jurist who served as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia from April 2006 to May 2024^[2] and as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island between February 2015 and May 2024.^[3][4] He has also served as additional judge in the ACT Supreme Court since March 2007.^[5]

The Honourable Justice Anthony Besanko
Judge of the Federal Court of Australia
In office 3 April 2006 – 7 May 2024
Appointed by	Phillip Ruddock
Justice of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory
Incumbent
Assumed office March 2007
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island
In office 26 February 2015 – 7 May 2024
Preceded by	Peter Jacobson
Succeeded by	Robert Bromwich
Judge of the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island
Incumbent
Assumed office 5 August 2013
Judge of the Supreme Court of South Australia
In office 2001–2006
Personal details
Born	(1954-05-08) 8 May 1954 (age 71)
Alma mater	University of Adelaide[citation needed]
Occupation	Jurist

From 1984 to 2001, he practiced as a barrister in South Australia, working in corporation and administration law and native title,^[6] and was president of the South Australian Bar Association from 2000 to 2001.^[6] From 2001 to 2006, he was a judge of the Supreme Court of South Australia.^[6]

In 2025, he joined Atkin Chambers as a door tenant.^[7]

Roberts-Smith defamation proceedings

From 2021, Besanko presided over Ben Roberts-Smith's defamation proceedings against several major newspapers, dismissing the case on 1 June 2023.^[8] The matter is now subject to appeal.^{[citation needed]}