Background
Peter Garling was born to Max Frederick Garling and Patricia O"Halloran in British Malaya.
Peter Garling was born to Max Frederick Garling and Patricia O"Halloran in British Malaya.
Garling was educated at Saint Ignatius" College, Riverview and the University of Sydney, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (1975) and Bachelor of Laws (1977).
Garling is noted for his involvement in multiple high-profile public inquiries and royal commissions. Through his contributions, in particular the Garling Report, Garling has made significant recommendations to improve the public health system of New South Wales. He is a descendent of Frederick Garling, one of the first solicitors admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the first appointed Crown Prosecutor in New South Wales.
During his university days, Garling joined the Sydney University Regiment of the Australian Army Reserve.
Early legal career
After graduating from the law school, Garling worked as an articled clerk and solicitor at David Landa, Stewart & Company. Barristerial career
Garling undertook the bar reading programme under Calvin "Cal" R. Callaway, Queen's Counsel and was admitted to the bar in 1979.
He commenced practising as a barrister in Garfield Barwick Chambers, then Wentworth Chambers. On 4 November 1994, Garling took silk.
Judicial career
In 2010, Garling was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Other activity
During this time, he reached the rank of company commander of the Sydney University Regiment. Garling has been involved in multiple public inquiries and royal commissions, including those into the 1997 Thredbo landslide, the Glenbrook and Waterfall railway accidents, the collapse of the HIH Insurance, and the affairs of the Medical Research and Compensation Foundation. He served as the Commissioner conducting the Special Commission of Inquiry into Acute Care Services in NSW Public Hospitals, authoring the Garling Report.
From 1970 to 1996, Garling was a serving member of the Australian Army Reserve.