Ceremonial - In Memory of the Late the Right Honourable Sir Edward McTiernan KBA BA LLB - Canberra

This matter concerns a ceremonial sitting of the High Court of Australia held on Monday, 5 February 1990, to commemorate the life and service of the late The Right Honourable Sir Edward McTiernan KBE BA LLB. The sitting was addressed by Mason CJ, who delivered a tribute to Sir Edward.

The purpose of the sitting was to acknowledge and honour the significant contributions of Sir Edward McTiernan to the legal and public life of Australia. The court was therefore not required to determine any specific legal dispute between parties, but rather to reflect on the judicial career and personal qualities of a distinguished former Justice.

Mason CJ recounted Sir Edward's distinguished career, commencing with his education at the University of Sydney where he excelled in Arts and Law. His Honour detailed Sir Edward's early legal practice, his service as Attorney-General in New South Wales, his election to both State and Federal parliaments, and his subsequent appointment as a Justice of the High Court on 20 December 1930. Sir Edward served on the High Court for forty-six years, the longest tenure of any Australian judge, and was recognised for his profound legal knowledge, clarity of judgment, and consistent decision-making. His Honour also noted Sir Edward's knighthood, appointment as a Privy Councillor, and his service on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

The sitting concluded with Mason CJ extending the Court's deepest sympathy to Lady McTiernan.