Ceremonial - Heydon J - Welcome to Hobart

This matter concerns a ceremonial welcome to Justice Heydon of the High Court of Australia upon his first visit to Hobart as a member of the Court. The welcome was extended by Mr David John Gunson, SC, President of the Law Society of Tasmania, and Mr Stephen Peter Estcourt, QC, representing the Tasmanian Bar Association. The proceedings involved addresses of congratulation and welcome to Justice Heydon, acknowledging his distinguished career as a barrister, academic, author, and judge, and his significant contributions to Australian jurisprudence.

The legal issues, while not forming the core of a contentious dispute, revolved around the significance of the High Court's sittings in Tasmania. The speakers highlighted the importance of these sittings as a symbol of the Court's territorial jurisdiction and its integral role within Tasmania's judicial hierarchy. They also implicitly raised the issue of the legal profession's responsibility to provide sufficient work to justify the Court's regular attendance in the state.

The addresses lauded Justice Heydon's extensive scholarship, prolific writing on various legal subjects, and his editorial roles in significant legal publications. His appointment to the High Court was universally regarded as a deserved recognition of his outstanding achievements. Justice Heydon, in his response, expressed his affection for Tasmania and acknowledged the historical and architectural significance of Hobart. He also paid tribute to prominent Tasmanian lawyers, past and present, including Andrew Inglis Clark, Sir Stanley Burbury, Mr Justice Neasey, Mr Justice Zeeman, and Sir Guy Green, recognising their substantial contributions to the law and public service. Justice Heydon expressed his anticipation of future dealings with the Tasmanian legal profession and his desire for frequent visits to the state.