Cedric Hampson Chambers

Cedric Hampson Chambers (the official naming function is awaiting completion of renovations) is on Level 17 of the Inns of Court. They are comprised of the following members: Sally Armitage, Brett Codd, James Crowley QC, Joseph Crowley, Stephen Fynes-Clinton, Geoff Gunn, Peter Lane, Stephen Lumb, Pamela McGhee, John Meredith, Douglas Murphy S.C., Andrew Rich and Ken Watson. 

The original group was formed in 1986 when the present Inns of Court opened. The first settlers were:  Cedric Hampson QC (ret), Pat Connor (ret), Dan Ryan, Ann Kaye (ret), John McGhee (ret), Douglas Murphy, (now) Federal Magistrate Keith Wilson S.C., Stephen Lumb, Judith Wilson, Tom Somers and Robert Holmes (not ‘à Court’; just “caught ”, but that’s another story.)

Over the last 21 years, others have come and gone, as owners, or tenants, including former state Minister for Survey and Valuation, John Greenwood QC, John Batch QC, Federal Magistrate Michael Jarrett, former Building Tribunal chairman, Barry Cotterell, Richard Morgan, Geoff Diehm, Adrian Duffy and the polo playing, Bill Somerville, to name some.  All have learnt well in one way or another.

One of the greatest achievements of these chambers (apart from upholding the Rule of Law) has been the stoic reticence and resilience against renovating the floor. It is the only floor in the Inns that has not been fully renovated since the opening of the building.   Although the fake black leather lounges from the Softies bit the dust early in favour of more tasteful furniture, designed by Alice Morris (mother of Violet), the carpet is still the one installed in 1986. In the interests of maintaining some semblance of professional respectability and dignity, it was necessary to cunningly conceal permanent evidence of frivolous functions by strategically placed Persian rugs that have successfully tripped many but which have been loved by Crowley QC since he arrived on the floor in 2005.  A beautiful and artistic stained glass divider panel has escaped the stones, glasses and coffee cups of jealous neighbours and the ceiling is beginning to sag in places under the weight of rising hot air.  All that will change, however.  The new carpet has been woven, paid for and is now in storage awaiting completion of the renovations which will commence sometime in the future.  This could be our motto:  “RENOVANDUM IN FUTURO”.

Doug Murphy S.C.