Deputy Judge Advocate General - Navy

Commodore His Honour Tim Wood RFD

Tim Wood was born in Melbourne in 1947. He was educated at Solway State School, Caulfield Grammar School and graduated LL.B. from the University of Melbourne in 1969. He undertook Articles of Clerkship that year.

In 1970 he was commissioned in the rank of Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy on a short service commission of four years. During this time, he held appointments as Command Legal Officer, Fleet Legal Officer and Assistant Director of Naval Legal Services. He served at sea in HMAS Stalwart, HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Sydney and acted as both prosecutor and defence counsel in various courts martial.

In 1974 Commodore Wood commenced practice at the Victorian Bar. He was admitted to practice in Victoria, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania. Initially, he had a general practice but later specialised in building law, insurance, trade practices and commercial law in both courts and before arbitrators. Commodore Wood was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1994 and a County Court Judge in 1997. The following year, he was appointed President of the Victorian Administrative Appeals Tribunal and, later, Vice President of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. His Honour returned to general County Court duties in 2001.

Commodore Wood has served continuously with the RANR since 1974. Since that time he has officiated as prosecutor, defence counsel and Judge Advocate in courts martial and in his capacity as a S154 Reviewing Officer. He has reviewed numerous defence disciplinary proceedings. In 1996 he visited, at the request of the then JAG, the United States where he visited the army and air force law schools, had discussions with various personnel and reported to the JAG on the legal education of lawyers within the US Services.

He was appointed a Lieutenant Commander in 1976, a Commander in 1985, a Captain in 2002 and Commodore in August 2006.

Commodore Wood is married to Margaret and has three adult children. His interests include sailing, travel and his dogs.