Ceremonial Sitting in Memory of The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen Kg Ak GCMG GCVO KBE Privy Councillor QC

This ceremonial sitting of the High Court of Australia was convened to mark the death of The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen KG AK GCMG GCVO KBE Privy Councillor QC, a former Justice of the Court and Governor-General of Australia. The proceedings were attended by members of Sir Ninian's family, including his daughter Ms Mary Stephen, and various legal dignitaries, such as the Solicitor-General for the Commonwealth and the Solicitors-General for several Australian states. The Chief Justice, Kiefel CJ, presided over the sitting.

The purpose of this sitting was to pay tribute to Sir Ninian Stephen and to acknowledge his significant contributions to the law and public service in Australia and internationally. The court was not required to determine any specific legal dispute or issue. Instead, the occasion served as an opportunity to reflect on Sir Ninian's distinguished career, his judicial philosophy, and his personal qualities.

The proceedings involved addresses and reflections on Sir Ninian's life and career, commencing with his birth in England, his education, and his service in the Australian Military Forces during World War II. His legal education at the University of Melbourne and his subsequent career as a solicitor and then Queen's Counsel were detailed. His appointment to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1970 and then to the High Court in 1972 was highlighted, with references to his reputation for patience, kindness, and a willingness to listen. The court noted his view that legal questions could have multiple valid answers and his commitment to maintaining correct legal principles, even if it meant departing from precedent, as demonstrated in his dissent in *Henry v Boehm*. His influential judgments in cases such as *Actors and Announcers Equity Association v Fontana Films Pty Ltd* and *Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd v The Dredge “Willemstad”* were also mentioned. The sitting concluded with expressions of sympathy to Lady Stephen and the family, acknowledging Sir Ninian's great service to the Court and his country.