Prominent judicial figure Geoffrey Nettle has been appointed to the High Court.

He replaces retiring judge Susan Crennan who leaves the court in early February.

• Video: Brandis refuses to answer anti-terror questions

Attorney-General George Brandis, in announcing the appointment on Thursday, said Justice Nettle had enjoyed a brilliant career in law.

He is a judge of the Court of Appeal in Victoria, having previously been a Queen’s Counsel and a solicitor.

In consulting widely, Justice Nettle’s name came up “time and time again as a particularly eminent candidate”, Senator Brandis said.

“He is regarded, by bench and bar alike, as one of Australia’s finest jurists.”

Attorney-General George Brandis said Justice Nettle has had a brilliant legal career.

“I’d like to take this occasion to congratulate his honour on his appointment.”

His judgments have been marked by analytical clarity and deep legal scholarship, the attorney-general said.