[4] The chief justice is first among equals among the Judges of the Supreme Court.

They also act in place of the governor-general if one has not been appointed or if the appointee is unable to perform their duties.

When acting in place of the governor-general, the chief justice is known as the "administrator of the Government".

[5] The chief justice is appointed by the governor-general, on the formal advice of the prime minister.

[6] The current chief justice is the Rt Hon Dame Helen Winkelmann, who was appointed on 14 March 2019 to replace the Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias, who had reached mandatory retirement at age 70.