Ceremonial Sitting in Memory of the Late the Honourable Sir Francis Gerard Brennan AC KBE QC

This ceremonial sitting of the High Court of Australia was held to mark the death of the Honourable Sir Francis Gerard Brennan AC KBE QC, who served as a Justice of the Court from 1981 to 1995 and as its tenth Chief Justice from 1995 to 1998. The sitting was attended by numerous dignitaries, including the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, former Justices of the High Court, Chief Justices of various Australian courts, Solicitors-General, and members of Sir Gerard's family.

The purpose of the sitting was to honour the life and significant contributions of Sir Gerard Brennan to Australian law and public life. The proceedings involved tributes from various members of the legal profession and judiciary, reflecting on his distinguished career as a barrister, his foundational role in administrative law, and his profound impact as a Justice and Chief Justice of the High Court.

The tributes highlighted Sir Gerard's intellectual prowess, his commitment to the rule of law, and his deep respect for the dignity of the individual. His judgments in landmark cases such as *Mabo (No 2)*, *Waltons Stores v Maher*, and *The Tasmanian Dam Case* were noted for their depth and prescience. His judicial philosophy emphasised egalitarianism, the importance of natural justice, and the need for consistency and predictability in the law, while acknowledging the necessity for incremental development in response to changing social conditions. His conception of the High Court's role was vital to maintaining the law in a coherent and relevant state, ensuring judicial independence, and applying the Constitution and settled law to provide assurance of continuity with necessary change.