Supreme Court Judge Geoff Bellew has been appointed as the new chairman of the NRL judiciary.

Better-known to rugby league fans as a defence representative of star players at the judiciary, Bellew takes over from long-serving Paul Conlon.

Conlon quit his post in October in protest at the $50,000 fine handed out by the NRL to Paul Gallen for swearing on social media.

Bellew has previously been linked to a role on the independent ARL Commission.

He has represented some of the rugby league’s biggest names including Wally Lewis, Johnathan Thurston, Jarryd Hayne, Billy Slater, Andrew Johns, Paul Harragon and Gorden Tallis – enjoying a success rate of 75 per cent.

“There could be no one more qualified and suitable for the role of Judiciary Chairman,” said NRL head of football Todd Greenberg.

“Justice Bellew has a unique set of skills and experience.

“He understands the rules and judiciary code of procedure intimately and has a great affection for rugby league.”

When Bellew was appointed as a Supreme Court judge in December 2011, he ended his days as a defence counsel.

Earlier that year he had represented Melbourne forward Adam Blair at the NRL judiciary after the infamous Battle of Brookvale.