This issue marks the sad passing of yet another giant of the Queensland Bar and Bench, the Hon. Cecil (Bill) William Pincus QC. A special tribute is included in this edition.
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS
On 18 December 2014 the following appointments were announced:
The Hon Justice Anthe Philippides was appointed as a judge of the Court of Appeal. Her Honour needs no introduction to readers of Hearsay, having served on the Trial division since 14 December 2000.
Mr Martin Burns QC was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland in the Trial Division. His Honour was called to the bar on 15 July 1991 after a successful career as a solicitor including as a partner in the firm Lyons Solicitors. He took silk on 10 November 2008 and has enjoyed a wide-ranging practice. Notably his Honour was Editor of Hearsay and helped build the publication to what it is today.
Magistrate Terry Gardiner was appointed as a Deputy Chief Magistrate (to serve alongside Deputy Chief Magistrate Leanne O’Shea).
Mr Jeffrey Clarke, Ms Cathy McLennan and Mr Peter Hasted appointed as Magistrates.
Appointments announced earlier included his Honour Judge Paul Smith as Judge Administrator and Federal Circuit Court Judge Michael Burnett, Dean Morzone QC, Helen Bowskill QC and Suzanne Sheridan as judges of the District Court of Queensland. Mr Salvatore Vasta was appointed a judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia.
Congratulations to each on their appointments and best wishes for the challenges that lie ahead.
RETIREMENT OF MUIR JA
A Farewell Ceremony to mark the retirement of the Honourable Justice John Muir was held on Friday, 19 December 2014. His Honour had served as a Justice of Appeal since 2007 having earlier served as a member of the Trial Division since 1997.
His Honour was called to the Bar in 1976 having earlier practiced as a solicitor since 1969. He served as Chairman of the Law Reform Commission from 1998 to 2001.
Best wishes to his Honour in retirement.
APPOINTMENT OF LEGAL SERVICES COMMISSIONER
Since the last edition, the Government also announced the appointment of Mr Paul Clauson as Queensland’s new Legal Services Commissioner.
Mr Clauson practiced as a solicitor and later was admitted to the Bar in 1987. He served as Queensland Attorney General from 1986 to 1989.
BAR COUNCIL ELECTIONS
At the Annual General Meeting held on 26 November 2014 the following members were elected:
President: Shane Lawrence Doyle QC
Vice President: Geoffrey Warren Diehm QC
Council:
Susan Elizabeth Brown QC
James Philip Benjamin (Employed Member)
Jacoba Brasch
Liam Matthew Dollar
Wayne Frederick Sidney Elliott
Tracy Lee Fantin
Domenico Vittorio Ferraro
Kenneth Charles Fleming QC
Christopher Laurence Hughes QC
Stephen Joseph Keim S.C.
Daniel Paul O’Gorman S.C.
Ruth Madeline O’Gorman
Mark Oliver Plunkett
Andrew Harold Sinclair
Thomas Philip Sullivan QC
NEW SILKS
Congratulations to the following barristers recently appointed as Queens Counsel:
John Joseph Allen
Jacoba Brasch
Michael Cowen
Peter Robert Franco
Catherine Claire Heyworth-Smith
Jonathan Mark Horton
David Murray Logan
Phillip Paul McQuade
Dominic Bernard O’Sullivan
VALE 2014
This edition is the last for Hearsay for the year. It has been a year of many challenges for the profession and many changes. Throughout, the Bar has continued in its best traditions to continue to provide the high level of service and integrity that the courts and the people we serve, are entitled to and do expect.
Recent events in Sydney serve to remind us that we are not immune from the realities of the world around us. Those events have deeply touched the New South Wales Bar as well as the wider community and our thoughts are with them at this time.
On a brighter note, many will be either now commencing or about to embark upon a well-deserved break to recharge, reinvigorate and prepare for the year ahead. Best wishes to all for a safe and joyous holiday season.
I would like to record my thanks to those who have contributed to the success of Hearsay this year. First, to Greg and the team at Getset for their hard work, usually done under pressure with no hint of complaint. To our Book Review Editor Stephen Keim SC and his coterie of reviewers and all who have contributed reviews. They always make for interesting and informative reading. To Jennifer Hewson for her invaluable assistance and to the Supreme Court Library (and the Library Committee) and Federal Court Library for their assistance and contributions. Thanks to Justice Applegarth, Martin Burns QC and Geoff Diehm QC who have provided valuable advice and assistance from time to time. Thanks also to Robyn Martin, Helene Breene and the staff of the Bar Association for all their help. To all those who have contributed articles and items for inclusion, many thanks and keep them coming. Finally to the readers — members of the Bar and Bench and others — many thanks for your support – keep reading and enjoying.
Adrian Duffy
Editor
