Solicitors' the Council Until 27 October 1993

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Solicitors' the Council Until 27 October 1993 I iT rnrivews The journal of the NSWBarAssoc.iation I . Al I ^ ^ I I I I'll fiffifi, ^ ^ ^ IN 15IIGQU!/WAS • ____ (\) I ITI H • I - TE h Tfu [B _ T a r a - t..- W • www.wwffl Current Law family ... / If you can't spend too much time making sure that your information sources are up to date, then you'll love Australian Current Law. With Australian Current Law you can update any publication in your library and keep abreast of the latest developments affecting your practice. Australian Current Law - Reporter - provides you with fortnightly digests of all (not selected) superior court decisions. Legislation keeps you informed of legislative developments. And Yearbooks consolidate all this information into one convenient source. The Reporter, Legislation and Yearbooks. Together (with FastLaw) you get the fastest most extensive coverage of changes in the law. Use it alone, or with other Butterworths research titles. The choice is yours. and friends ... HALSBURY'S LAWS OF AUSTRALIA The most powerful legal research tool you can own. Halsbury's Laws of Australia is Australia's first and only encyclopaedic statement of the law. It includes topics for which there is no other secondary source of reference. A faster, more effective way to conduct legal research because it states what the law is. A must for every practice! • AUSTRALIAN CURRENT LAW ON DISK Now, Australian Current Law subscribers who AUSTRALIAN LEGAL WORDS have a database can access their information at AND PHRASES the touch of a button' Australian Current Law Ever spent hours searching for the on Disk is an even quicker way of keeping track right meaning? With Australian Legal • .. of the latest reports and legislative changes. Words and Phrases you have over It's available now. For more information ring 100,000 words and phrases (defined in Bronwyn Forsyth at Butterworths today on legislation or judicially interpreted) at (02) 335 4552. your fingertips! Butterworths - A Division of Reed International Books Pty Limited ACN om 002 357 Butterworths 0 6379/0993 TO FIND OUT MORE... RING ANN SUTHERLAND ON (02) 221 6673 in this issue Published by: NSW Bar Association 174 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Editor: R S McColl Bar Notes Senior Counsel for 1993 .......................................................... 2 Failure of Counsel to Make Proper • Editorial Committee: R S Angyal, S Bell, Arrangements to Attend at Court ........................................2 G D Mcllwaine, A Monahan Election of Members of the Bar Council for the Year 1994 ...............................2 I Many thanks to Margaret Morgan for her 1993 Silks Gift to the Bar Association .................................2 considerable assistance in the compilation ManyHappy Returns ...........................................................2 of this magazine. From the President .................................................................3 From the Immediate Past President ..................................... 5 Produced by: The Business Link ............................................................... 8 Lettersto the Editor Gunjulla Place, Avalon NSW 2107 Phone (02) 918 9288 "Learned in the Law" - The Transition I from Queen's Counsel to Senior Counsel ..........................9 Why Are Cases Taking Longer Nowadays? ....................... 19 Printedby:Robert Burton Printers Pty Limited 63 Carlingford Street The Spedley Mediation from the Inside ..............................23 Sefton NSW 2162 Individuality ..........................................................................30 Advertising: Of What is Past, or Passing, or To Come ........................... 31 Contact Sally Bennett on (02) 918 9288 Meaghertyrdom ......................................................................36 Cover: John Hubert Plunkett Q.C., More on the American Scene ..............................................37 one of the first members of the New South I Wales Inner Bar (by permission of the The Readers Course-February 1993 Royal Australian Historical Society), - A Reader's Perspective ...................................................38 the 1992 and 1993 Silks (photographs kindly I provided by the President of the Court of Hush or He Might Hear You ...............................................39 Appeal, Mr Justice Kirby A.C., C.M.G.) Report on Special Meeting I on Legal Education and Practical Training ....................40 Mediation and the Courts ....................................................43 Views expressed by contributors to Bar News are not necessarily those of the Bar Advocacy Institute's Workshop on Appellate Advocacy ... 47 Association of New South Wales. Restaurant Reviews ...............................................................49 I Contributions are welcome, and should be addressed to the Editor, R S McColl, Obituaries 7th floor, Wentworth Chambers, The Hon Kenneth Asprey CMG QC ...................................51 180 Philip Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Judge Donald John McCredie .............................................52 I William Wallis Caldwell QC .............................................52 Barristers wishing to join the Editorial Committee are invited to write to the Editor BookReviews .......................................................................53 I indicating the areas in which they would be interested in assisting. Motions and Mentions .........................................................57 I This Sporting Life ...............................................................58 ISSN 0817-0002 Bar Notes Senior Counsel for 1993 Members are reminded that it is essential to ensure that proper arrangements are put in place in such circumstances as On 22 November the President, John Coombs QC, has arise above. D announced the appointment of the following persons as Senior Counsel, effective 1 December 1993. Election of Members 1. Richard Ross TRACEY (Victoria) of the Bar Council for the Year 1994 2. Peter Richard DUTNEY (Queensland) 3. John Victor KAUFMAN (Victoria) The following have been elected as members of the Council 4. Margaret Anne WILSON (Queensland) 5. Henry JOLSON (Victoria) for the New South Wales Bar Association for the year 1994. 6. Anthony John MORRIS (Queensland) INNER BAR 7. Hugh Barron FRASER (Queensland) Tobias QC Donovan QC 8. Thomas Andrew GRAY (South Australia) Burbidge QC Bellanto QC 9. Shane Edward HERBERT (Queensland) Bennett QC Poulos QC 10. Ross Campbell MACAW (Victoria) Barker QC 11. Richard John STANLEY (Victoria) Hely QC 12. Michael John SWEENEY Adams QC 13. Geoffrey Alan FLICK 14. Andrew Stewart MORRISON OUTER BAR 15. Jeffrey Steven HILTON (a) Three members of less than five years standing- 16. Clive STEIRN Loukas Needham Gleeson 17. John Charles KELLY 18. Peter William TAYLOR (b) Members of any length of standing 19. Bret William WALKER Hoeben Toner 20. John Neil GALLAGHER Harrison Street 21. Steven David RARES Walker Bergin Katzmann Gormly Failure of Counsel to Make Proper McColl Arrangements to Attend at Court On 25 November 1993 the Council elected the following Recently the Bar Council dealt with a matter which Office Bearers. involved the failure of counsel to attend at Court or to make proper arrangements with his opponent to adjourn the matter. President: M H Tobias QC In this case, counsel found that he was running late on the Senior Vice President: D M J Bennett QC morning the motion was listed for hearing, he having other Junior Vice President: P G Hely QC commitments elsewhere. The counsel requested his secretary Honorary Treasurer: R J Burbidge QC to inquire who had carriage of the matter on the other side so Honorary Secretary: R S McColl that he could ask for indulgence. The secretary was unable to ascertain that information and at the barrister's request contacted the Judge's Associate to ask that the matter be held in the list for 45 minutes. It is not known whether that message 1993 Silks Gift to the Bar Association reached his Honour. When counsel arrived in court the matter had been It is usual for Silks to give the Bar Association a gift upon disposed of. their appointment. The Bar Council was of the view that it was imprudent The Silks appointed in 1991 and 1992 donated two pulse of the counsel merely to rely upon a telephonic communication oximeters to the Royal Children's Hospital, Camperdown on between third parties as it was likely that some form of failure behalf of the Bar Association as their gift. of communication could result. The Council was furtherof the The Association is extremely grateful. FJ view that in any event it would not be sufficient to rely upon a trial judge, even if that judge had received the message, to act upon it. Many Happy Returns In this particular case, as the barrister's client did not seek an order for compensation the Council took the view that T E F Hughes QC AO turned 70 on 26 November the matter was deserving of reprimand. 1993. He has had anew bar jacket made. D U 2 - Bar News 1993 Edition The journal of the From the President Legal Profession Reform Bill 1993 (No 2) 4. Section 37 was to be amended by reinstating the power which currently exists under the Legal Profession Act of The Legal Profession Reform Bill 1993 (No 2) passed the Bar Council to refuse, suspend or cancel a piactising through both chambers of the Parliament on Friday 19 certificate to any person who does not intend to or is not November last. Its various provisions will become law on practising as a barrister during the period covered by the dates to be proclaimed. certificate; The Legal Profession Bill (No
Recommended publications
  • Turner Freeman Lawyers Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union Amalgamation Anniversary Dinner, Sydney Present at the Creatio
    2661 TURNER FREEMAN LAWYERS AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING WORKERS’ UNION AMALGAMATION ANNIVERSARY DINNER, SYDNEY PRESENT AT THE CREATION – THE STRANGE, EVENTFUL BIRTH OF THE AMWU 8 NOVEMBER 2012 The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG TURNER FREEMAN LAWYERS AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING WORKERS’ UNION AMALGAMATION ANNIVERSARY DINNER, SYDNEY 8 NOVEMBER 2012 PRESENT AT THE CREATION: THE STRANGE EVENTFUL BIRTH OF THE AMWU* THE HON. MICHAEL KIRBY AC CMG** ABSTRACT The author was one of the counsel who assisted in achieving the amalgamation of the three industrial organisations of employees that formed the AMWU in 1972. In this article, based on address to a dinner celebrating the 40th anniversary of this event, he describes the hard fought battles that proceeded amalgamation, including contested proceedings before the High Court of Australia in ex parte Bevan (1972) 172 CLR 1; the Commonwealth Industrial Court in Drinkwater v Amos (1972) 20 FLR 359; and the Arbitration Commission. From these experiences he derives lessons about the role of courts and tribunals in industrial relations; the role of well targeted industrial advocacy; the advantages of the old system of conciliation and arbitration; and the need to simplify the system of amalgamation. He also reflects on the idealistic quality of union leadership in 1972 and contrasts this with some cases today. The history of Australia is intertwined with the history of the labour movement. The great maritime strikes of the 1890s led to co-operation amongst the industrial unions in the several Australian colonies. That co-operation focused attention upon the need to develop a new province of law to supplement the imperfections of the common law and the defects of collective bargaining1.
    [Show full text]
  • Cricket Club
    If you wander around any uni campus and ask about the Whatever your dreams, TOWER can help you future, you'll hear things like turn them into reality: "I have no idea what it'll be like - everything seems up for grabs Superannuation: This is an essential part of a strong self-reliant future. The sooner you start the greater the rewards will be as you will reap the Ask about nfioney and you'll hear benefits of compounding earnings. Income Protection: "What money?", or - "Sure I'd like more money! Who is TOWER? TOWER can help you ensure that your financial dreams don't turn into a nightmare when something goes wrong. Income protection is a safety net in case, for some reason, you can't work. We can help make sure you still receive an income. It's especially relevant for There has never been a time when there have been so those embarking on careers in the legal, medical and accountancy professions. many opportunities and options to carve out your The history of the TOWER Financial Services Croup began over 1 30 future. Tomorrow belongs to those who dare to years ago. TOWER started out as the New Zealand Government Life Office, grew to be New Zealand's largest life insurance office, privatised in the late As everyone's situation is different and will vary over time, prior to making any investment or financial planning decision, you should dream, give it a go, and take control of their seek the advice of a qualified financial adviser. own destiny.
    [Show full text]
  • Of the Barrister Class by the Hon Michael Mchugh AC, Introduction
    THE RISE (AND FALL?) OF THE BARRISTER CLASS BY THE HON MICHAEL McHUGH AC INTRODUCTION* The Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG As barristers go, Michael McHugh's career was unusual. There was little about it that was privileged - except his intellect and drive. Born in Newcastle, he moved with his family to North Queensland at the age of seven because his father was seeking wartime work in the mines. On his return to Newcastle, at the age of thirteen, he attended the Marist Brothers' school. There, and from his father Jim, he learned two Irish Catholic lessons that were to remain with him throughout his life in the law. First, that there are rules to be obeyed. And secondly, that civil liberties matter. To the disappointment of Jim McHugh, the young Michael left school at age fifteen. He took odd jobs, including that of the proverbial telegram boy. But his questioning intellect soon took him back to the * Notes on which were based remarks in the Common Room of the New South Wales Bar Association on 20 August 2007 on the delivery by the Hon Michael McHugh AC of a Lecture in the series on Rhetoric. 2. Hamilton High School at night. He gained his matriculation. In 1958 he commenced studies for the Barristers' Admission Board, working during the day as a clerk for the Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Michael McHugh was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1961. He read with two fine advocates who once frequented this common room: John Wiliams QC, himself from Newcastle, and John Kearney QC.
    [Show full text]
  • Working Paper 17
    SEA POWER CENTRE AUSTRALIA The New South Wales Reserve Naval Legal Panel – 40 Years of Service Working Paper No. 17 © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2004 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the Department of Defence Announcement statement-may be announced to the public. Secondary release-may be released to the public. All Defence information, whether classified or not, is protected from unauthorised disclosure under the Crimes Act 1914. Defence Information may only be released in accordance with the Defence Protective Security Manual (SECMAN 4) and/or Defence Instruction (General) OPS 13-4-Release of Classified Defence Information to Other Countries, as appropriate. Requests and inquiries should be addressed to the Director, Sea Power Centre - Australia, CANBERRA, ACT, 2600. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication Entry Horobin, Judith. The New South Wales Reserve Naval Legal Panel: 40 Years of Service ISBN 0 642 29609 X 1. Australia. New South Wales Reserve Naval Legal Panel. 2. Naval Law - New South Wales - History. I. Renwick, James, 1963- . II. Australia. Royal Australian Navy. Sea Power Centre. III. Title. (Series: Working paper (Australia. Royal Australian Navy. Sea Power Centre ); no.17). 343.94019 i Disclaimer The views expressed are the authors’ and not necessarily those of the Department of Defence. The Commonwealth of Australia will not be legally responsible in contract, tort or otherwise for any statement made in this publication. Sea Power Centre - Australia The Sea Power Centre - Australia (SPC-A - formerly the Maritime Studies Program) was established to undertake activities which would promote the study, discussion and awareness of maritime issues and strategy within the RAN and the defence and civil communities at large.
    [Show full text]
  • The Supreme Court of NSW, Tradition and Diversity - Supreme Court Judges' Dinner
    The Supreme Court of NSW, Tradition and Diversity - Supreme Court Judges' Dinner ... Page 1 of 5 Print Page Close Window The Supreme Court of NSW, Tradition and Diversity - Supreme Court Judges' Dinner SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES SUPREME COURT JUDGES' DINNER THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2004 THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES TRADITION AND DIVERSITY The Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG* A HAPPY ENCOUNTER The last thing that most judges want on an occasion such as this is a scholarly exposition. That does not necessarily stop a lot of speakers. Judges' dinners are mainly occasions for humour or nostalgia, depending on the speaker's skills. Chief Justice Herron had a book of jokes. He would carefully mark the occasions on which his jokes were delivered in order to avoid repetition to the same audience in shorter than intervals of ten years. A commitment to humour, so methodically pursued, tends to cast doubt on the genuine jocularity of the speaker. I have thrown away my own book of humour. Doubtless Sir Leslie's book was passed on with the dowry of the Chief Justices of New South Wales - which explains why they are both always smiling. At least they are always smiling when in Sydney. In the High Court in Canberra, Chief Justice Gleeson goes out onto his balcony every day at the same time for seven minutes. It is not to take in the vista of the national capital. His gaze appears to be fixed in the direction of where he takes Sydney to be. The High Court has a dinner somewhat similar to this, held on the first day of Term each year.
    [Show full text]
  • Working Paper 15/2020 November 2020
    Crawford School of Public Policy TTPI Tax and Transfer Policy Institute Post-war tax reviews and the Asprey Blueprint TTPI - Working Paper 15/2020 November 2020 Paul Tilley Visiting Fellow Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, Crawford School of Public Policy The Australian National University Abstract After World War II, international attention turned to economic reconstruction and the transition back to peace-time. As Australia settled into the 1950s and 1960s ‘golden years’ there wasn’t an obvious imperative to tackle basic economic reform and tax design issues. Underlying structural problems were building, though, that would ultimately call for an economic reform agenda and tax would be part of that. This paper tracks these developments, looking at some limited tax reviews along the way but the main focus will be on the 1975 Asprey review which provided a blueprint for reform of the Australian tax system. Its recommendations for a capital gains tax, a fringe benefits tax, a foreign tax credit system, dividend imputation and a value added tax would take 25 years to implement. Keywords: tax, reform, economic, public finance, government * Sincere thanks to Greg Smith, Robert Carling, Geoff Leeper and Brant Pridmore as referees for the paper and to Professor Robert Breunig and Diane Paul at the TTPI for guiding the work and running the seminar on the paper. Author contact is [email protected] THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY Tax and Transfer Policy Institute Crawford School of Public Policy College of Asia and the Pacific +61 2 6125 9318 [email protected] The Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200 Australia www.anu.edu.au The Tax and Transfer Policy Institute (TTPI) is an independent policy institute that was established in 2013 with an endowment from the federal government.
    [Show full text]
  • Proceedings of the Samuel Griffith Society, Volume 28
    Upholding the Australian Constitution Volume Twenty-eight Proceedings of the Twenty-eighth Conference of The Samuel Griffith Society Stamford Plaza, Adelaide SA — 12–14 August 2016 © Copyright 2018 by The Samuel Griffith Society. All rights reserved. Contents Introduction Eddy Gisonda The Eighth Sir Harry Gibbs Memorial Oration The Honourable Robert French Giving and Taking Offence Chapter One Brendan O’Neill Hatred: A Defence Chapter Two John Roskam and Morgan Begg Prior v QUT & Ors [2016] Chapter Three The Honourable Tony Abbott Cultural Self-Confidence: That is What is Missing Chapter Four The Honourable Chris Kourakis In re Revenue Taxation & the Federation: The States v The Commonwealth Chapter Five Jeffrey Goldsworthy Is Legislative Supremacy Under Threat?: Statutory Interpretation, Legislative Intention, and Common Law Principles Chapter Six Lael K. Weis Originalism in Australia Chapter Seven Simon Steward Taxation of Multinationals: OECD Guidelines and the Rule of Law i Chapter Eight James Allan Australian Universities, Law Schools and Teaching Human Rights Chapter Nine Margaret Cunneen Great Harm to Innocent People: An ICAC story Chapter Ten David Smith The Dismissal: Reflections 40 Years On Chapter Eleven Don Morris Reserve Powers of the Crown: Perils of Definition Chapter Twelve Ken Coghill The Speaker Chapter Thirteen Peter Patmore Clerks of Houses of Parliament Contributors ii Introduction Eddy Gisonda The Samuel Griffith Society held its 28th Conference on the weekend of 12 to 14 August 2016, in the city of Adelaide, South
    [Show full text]
  • Will Tax Havens Survive in the New International Legal Environment? A
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by RMIT Research Repository Will Tax Havens Survive in the New International Legal Environment? A thesis submitted in fulfilment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy John Andrew McLaren LL.B. (Tas), MBA (Mon), LL.M (Mon) Graduate School of Business and Law College of Business RMIT University December 2010 DECLARATION I certify that: Except where due acknowledgement has been made, this thesis is mine alone. The work has not been submitted previously, in whole or part, to qualify for any other academic award. The content of the thesis is the result of work that has been carried out since the official commencement date of the approval of the research programme. John Andrew McLaren ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author wishes to thank Professor Margaret Jackson, the principal supervisor, for her wise counsel, diligence, patience and forbearance. In particular, Professor Jackson has provided encouragement, support and mentoring all needed to complete this thesis. I would also like to acknowledge the support and encouragement provided to me by Dr Tom Rowles, Professor Clive Morley, David Jones and John Passant. I acknowledge the professional assistance provided to me by Barbara Stubbs from Rockhampton for her work in standardizing the headings throughout the thesis, compiling the table of contents, the production of the bibliography, and general editorial support. The following chapters of the thesis have been published as follows: Chapter seven was published as: John McLaren, ‘The Distinction between Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion has become blurred in Australia: Why has it happened? (2008) 3(2) Journal of the Australasian Tax Teachers Association 141 .
    [Show full text]
  • I I Harjvews I
    I I Harjvews The journal of the NSW Bar Association I __ The High Court • with McHugh J. - Where does its future lie? IF £ Autumn 1989 I In this issue Bar Notes Mr. Justice Robert Marsden Hope A.C. C.M.G . ............................. 2 Frederick Jordan Chambers ............................................................2 Masterful......................................................................................... Australian Bar Association ............................................................. Robing in the Family Court of Australia ........................................ 2 Visiting Counsel to the Northern Territory ..................................... 2 Published by: NSW Bar Association From the President ............................................................................... 3 174 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW 2000 The High Court with McHugh J . ........................................................ 5 Obituary - Harold Hyam Glass ........................................................... 8 Editor: R.S. McColl SurrogateMotherhood ........................................................................ 8 A Long Way from 22 Church Street .................................................. 9 Assistant Editor: P.M. Donohoe Journey's End ....................................................................................... 11 Interviewing Witnesses ........................................................................ 12 Produced by: The Business Link Bar News Interviews Ian Temby Q.0 ...............................................
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of the Australasian Tax Teachers Association 2015 Vol. 10 No. 1
    A U S T R A L A S I A N TAX TEACHERS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALASIAN TAX TEACHERS ASSOCIATION 2015 Vol.10 No.1 Edited by Postal Address: JATTA, c/o School of JOHN TRETOLA Taxation and Business Law University of New South Wales NSW 2052 Australia and Kathrin Bain DOMENIC CARBONE Ph: +61 2 9385 9541 E: [email protected] The Journal of the Australasian Tax Teachers Association (‘JATTA’) is a double blind, peer reviewed journal. The Journal is normally published annually, subsequent to the Association’s annual conference. The Australasian Tax Teachers Association (‘ATTA’) is a non-profit organisation established in 1987 with the goal of improving the standard of tax teaching in educational institutions across Australasia. Our members include tax academics, writers, and administrators from Australia and New Zealand. For more information about ATTA refer to our website (hosted by ATAX at the University of New South Wales) at http://www.asb.unsw.edu.au/schools/taxationandbusinesslaw/atta. Please direct your enquiries regarding the Journal to the Editor-in-Chief: Professor Dale Pinto Professor of Taxation Law School of Business Law and Taxation Curtin University GPO BOX U1987 Perth WA 6845 E: [email protected] Editorial Board of the Journal of Australasian Tax Teachers Association: Professor Dale Pinto, Curtin University, Perth, Australia (Editor-in-Chief) Professor Neil Brooks, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Canada Professor Margaret McKerchar, UNSW, Sydney, Australia Professor John Prebble, Victoria University
    [Show full text]
  • COLOUR and MOVEMENT the Hon Justice MJ Beazley AO President
    The Hon Justice M J Beazley AO The Jurisprudence of the Court of Appeal College of Law Specialist Legal Conference, Sydney 19 May 2018 THE JURISPRUDENCE OF THE COURT OF APPEAL: COLOUR AND MOVEMENT The Hon Justice MJ Beazley AO* President, New South Wales Court of Appeal 1 In his 1953 novel The Go-Between, LP Hartley coined the oft-repeated phrase: “The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there”.1 If that is the case, why do we – or should we – take an interest in the history of the law and what can a study of legal history offer contemporary practitioners? The answer that immediately jumps to mind is a simple one. In a common law system based on precedent, previous decisions are of critical importance. But what of the broader history that surrounds those decisions? 2 Legal history matters for the same reason that the history of anything matters. It is always better to understand not only how things are, but how they got to be that way.2 There are, however, more specific reasons that legal history is significant. First, legal history can teach us about the historical contingency of law, that is, the extent to which law is shaped by its historical context. Law is “formed by, and exists within, human societies, and its forms and principles, and changes to them, are rationally connected to those particular societies”.3 3 While the fact that law does not exist in a vacuum may seem self-evident, until the 1970s legal history largely excluded contextual analysis in favour of a * I wish to express my thanks to my Researcher, Brigid McManus, for her research and assistance in the preparation of this paper.
    [Show full text]
  • Australia's Courts - a Quarter Century of Change*
    Australia's Courts - A Quarter Century of Change* The Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG** Silver Servants In 1974,1 was approached by that shrewd and cerebral jurist, the late Jack Sweeney (then a judge of the Australian Industrial Court). He enquired whether I would "entertain" an offer of judicial appointment. The office concerned was that of a Deputy President of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission. It may be difficult for contemporary lawyers, who did not grow up in the thirty years after the Second World War (as I did), to appreciate the importance and power, in those days, of the national industrial tribunal. It fixed the Basic (later National) Wage1. It decided great issues such as equal pay for women doing work of equal value2. It pushed forward the protection of Aboriginal workers under federal awards:i. I con- sidered the invitation a great compliment. I was 35 years of age. Without unseemly haste (but with no great delay either) I accepted appointment. I was welcomed in a Full Bench sitting in Sydney in December 1974.1 am thus one of the silver servants of the judiciary: twenty-five years in the judicial harness. With the retirement in 1995 of Justice Charles Sweeney (appointed 1970) from the Federal Court of Australia, I became the longest serving judge in federal office. * Text for an address at the Third Annual Colloquium of the Judicial Conference of Australia, Gold Coast, Queensland, on 7 November 1998. ** Justice of the High Court of Australia. Formerly Deputy President of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission (1975-83); Judge of the Federal Court of Australia (1983-84); and President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal (1984-96) and of the Court of Appeal of Solo- mon Islands (1995-96).
    [Show full text]