Western Australia's chief justice Wayne Martin is set to step down after 12 years in the role, citing the need for renewal.

Chief Justice Martin, who has held the role since 2006, has announced that he will be retiring in July.

He was selected for the role by former premier Alan Carpenter, with the McGowan Labor Government now to search for a replacement.

The position is one of the most powerful in the state, coming with a salary above $500,000 dollars.

Chief Justice Martin said a highlight of his tenure was visiting communities across WA. ( ABC News: Briana Shepherd )

In a statement, Chief Justice Martin said it had been an honour to serve the state in the role.

"It has been a demanding and challenging role, but also an extremely rewarding one — one that has reinforced my faith in our strong and independent justice system," he said.

"I have always held the view that administration of justice in this state is best served by regular renewal of the occupants of the senior offices within that system, and now is the time for me to put that view into effect."

The statement released to mark his departure pointed to moves led by Chief Justice Martin, such as discontinuing the wearing of wigs and jabots — a decorative cravat-style ruffled neckwear — and publishing sentencing remarks online to improve transparency.

He also overhauled media restrictions inside courtrooms, allowing journalists to use electronic devices to file stories and cover cases on social media.

Chief Justice Martin has also at times been outspoken in the role, including publicly urging the state in recent years to appoint more Supreme Court judges to reduce case backlogs.