Ceremonial - Welcome to Mr Justice McHugh - Perth

This matter concerns the ceremonial welcome of Mr Justice McHugh to Perth as a Justice of the High Court of Australia. The welcome was extended by Mr R. Le Miere, President of the Law Society of Western Australia, and Mr E. Heenan, QC, on behalf of the Western Australian Bar Association.

The legal issues before the court were not substantive legal determinations but rather the formal acknowledgement of Mr Justice McHugh's appointment to the High Court and his first sitting in Western Australia. The proceedings focused on extending courtesies and expressing the legal profession's respect for his Honour's distinguished career and contributions to the law.

The speakers highlighted Mr Justice McHugh's prior career at the Bar and the Court of Appeal in New South Wales, his appointment to the High Court following the retirement of Sir Ronald Wilson, and his previous engagement with the Western Australian legal community, including his leadership of a Law Summer School. They also referred to his Honour's published remarks on the importance of the Bar in the administration of justice and his scholarly analyses of the judicial law-making function, indicating the profession's anticipation of his Honour's contributions to the High Court.