Two women sexually harassed by a Victorian Supreme Court judge have been awarded a legal settlement.
The women came forward with allegations against retired justice Peter Vickery earlier in 2022, prompting an investigation.
An independent investigator found the judge kissed the two associates who worked for him and put his hands between one woman's thighs after a dinner.
Mr Vickery maintained his innocence and died from natural causes in April this year, aged 72.
A confidential settlement was reached through mediation with the women after multi-million dollar claims were put to the State of Victoria, their lawyers announced on Monday.
The women were in their 20s at the time, while Mr Vickery was in his 60s.
His actions were a gross abuse of power by one of the state's most senior judges against two women just starting their legal careers, Maurice Blackburn lawyer Josh Bornstein said.
"The conduct of the judge had a profound, damaging impact on both women. One no longer works as a lawyer," he revealed.
The Supreme Court failed to properly investigate the first case of sexual harassment, increasing the judge's risk of reoffending, Mr Bornstein said.
Along with the kissing and touching, Mr Vickery also made "unwelcome sexual advances" and deployed sexualised poetry, he said.
Mr Vickery reportedly claimed he fell in love with one of the women, writing to her in an email at her new workplace that "if falling in love with you was and remains a crime, I am guilty".
He outed himself as the judge involved in the accusations in February, describing himself as having a "heavy heart".
Had he possessed sufficient awareness about his behaviour he would have, without hesitation, altered it, he said.
"I extend my sincere apologies to both (women) for any distress unknowingly caused," he said, adding that they deserved respect for their courage in coming forward.
Mr Vickery was a judge for a decade from 2008.
