Litigation specialist’s promotion signals continuity in regulator’s enforcement‑driven approach to financial services oversight
Sarah Court (pictured top) will become the next chair of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), succeeding Joe Longo and becoming the first woman to hold the role.
Court, whose five‑year term is scheduled to begin on June 1, has served as ASIC deputy chair for almost five years.
Before joining the corporate regulator, she was a commissioner at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and a senior lawyer at the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS), building a career as a specialist litigator in competition and consumer law.
“Ms Court has been an excellent deputy and she’ll be an outstanding chair,” said Treasurer Jim Chalmers. “Over the past five years, Sarah has substantially strengthened ASIC’s enforcement and investigation capabilities.
“Under her leadership, ASIC has delivered some of its strongest enforcement results on record — reflecting a sharper focus on protecting consumers, lifting standards across the financial system and reinforcing the integrity of Australia’s markets.”
Longo (pictured right), ASIC’s outgoing chair, has strongly endorsed his successor, highlighting her role in reshaping the regulator’s approach to enforcement. “Sarah is an exceptional regulator with a strong record in enforcement that demonstrates her integrity and impact,” he said.
“Her work as ASIC’s Deputy Chair has been instrumental to the success of the agency’s structural transformation that has strengthened our enforcement posture and work, leading to better outcomes for consumers and a fairer financial system. ASIC will be in very capable hands under her leadership. Over the coming months, I will support Sarah, the Commission and all our staff to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.”
Court’s promotion comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of how regulators balance strong enforcement with concerns about regulatory burden. ASIC has been criticised by some stakeholders for pursuing aggressive litigation in certain cases, while others have argued it did not act quickly enough to prevent the collapse of the First Guardian and Shield managed investment funds.
Her appointment adds to the growing presence of women leading Australia’s key economic institutions. Alongside Court at ASIC, Michele Bullock is governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Gina Cass‑Gottlieb chairs the ACCC, Jenny Wilkinson is Treasury secretary, and Danielle Wood heads the Productivity Commission.
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