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] 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] From 2021 Besanko presided over Ben Roberts-Smith's defamation proceedings against several major newspapers, dismissing the case on 1 June 2023.