Ceremonial - Remarks on Final Sitting of Gleeson CJ - Melbourne

[2008] HCATrans 290

[2008] HCATrans 290

HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA

REMARKS ON THE FINAL SITTING

IN MELBOURNE OF

THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUSTICE MURRAY GLEESON

ON

FRIDAY, 1 AUGUST 2008, AT 9.31 AM

MR J.H. KENNAN, SC:   Your Honour, before I commence my argument in the matters, I would like the opportunity to briefly address your Honour the Chief Justice on the occasion of, effectively, your Honour’s retirement.

I do understand that it is not your Honour’s wish to have a formal farewell, but on behalf of the Victorian legal profession, we did not want to let the occasion pass without some very brief remarks recording our appreciation for your Honour’s service as Chief Justice of the High Court.

Your Honour had an outstanding and distinguished career and was respected Australia wide as a barrister.  Your Honour then had an outstanding career as Chief Justice of New South Wales and we all read and follow, with respect indeed, many of your Honour’s judgments as Chief Justice of New South Wales.  Your Honour has filled the office of Chief Justice of the High Court with great distinction and it has been your Honour’s sharpness of mind, your Honour’s incisive judgments and your Honour’s unfailing courtesy in court that has been so very much appreciated by the legal profession.  We would be confident that your Honour’s judgments as Chief Justice of the High Court will stand the test of time, just as your Honour’s judgments as Chief Justice of the Court of New South Wales have done.

If your Honour pleases.

GLEESON CJ:   Thank you, Mr Kennan.

It is very kind of you to make those remarks.  I am most grateful to you and to the Victorian legal profession for your expressions of goodwill.  I always used to enjoy appearing in Victoria when I came down here, as I often did as a barrister, and I also get a lot of pleasure out of sitting here with my colleagues.  I greatly value the goodwill of the profession.

AT 9.33 AM THE COURT COMMENCED THE
HEARING OF SPECIAL LEAVE APPLICATIONS