The Honourable Paul Desmond Finn (1946-2023)

13/10/2023

Vale & Memorial Service

A memorial service will be held in Canberra on Friday, 10 November 2023 from 4.30-7.00pm for the Honourable Paul Desmond Finn. Addresses will be given by the Hon Justice Stephen Gageler AC, Professor Tim Bonyhady and Wilfred Finn.

Paul was admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Law (Queensland), Master of Laws (London) and PhD (Cambridge). Like his father, Desmond, and his step-father, the Hon CD Sheahan (later a judge of the Queensland Supreme Court). Paul was admitted to the Bar in Queensland. His brother John Sheahan KC is a member of the Sydney Bar.

By the time he was appointed to the Federal Court of Australia in 1995, Paul was Professor at the Research School for Social Sciences at the Australian National University, and a legal scholar renowned throughout the English-speaking world, in particular for his ground-breaking work on fiduciary obligations. Many whom he taught are practitioners in Sydney.

Paul retired from the Federal Court in 2012.

The Memorial will be held at Drill Hall Gallery, Australian National University, Kingsley Street, Acton, ACT. Addresses will commence at 5.00pm.

Drinks and canapes will follow.

Those wishing to attend should RSVP to wilfredfinn@hotmail.com/0421 359 356.

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