A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Ashfield on 28 June 1952 because of the resignation of Athol Richardson () who had accepted an appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
The retiring member <includeonly>Athol Richardson (Liberal) had been appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court, and </includeonly><noinclude>Athol Richardson (Liberal)</noinclude> was not related to Jack Richardson (Labor) who capitalised on their surnames, campaigning on the slogan âÂÂJudge Richardson on his meritsâÂÂ.