When did Edmund Barton become a political judge?

Edmund Barton became a political judge when he was appointed as the first Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia on October 6, 1903. Prior to this role, he was a prominent politician and played a key role in the Federation of Australia, serving as the country's first Prime Minister from 1901 to 1903. His transition from politics to the judiciary marked a significant shift in his career following his contributions to the establishment of the Australian Constitution.