Speeches from the Australian Legal Convention

27/03/2007

I draw to members attention two speeches given last weekend at the 35th Australian Legal Convention. The first is the State of the Judicature address given by the Hon Justice A M Gleeson AC, Chief Justice of Australia.

This address is given biennially by the Chief Justice of Australia. Sir Garfield Barwick gave the first State of Judicature address in 1977. The address always commands our attention. This year’s address is the last to be given by Chief Justice Gleeson, who retires in August next year.

The second address entitled “Access to Justice and Access to Lawyers” was given by the Hon J J Spigelman AC, Chief Justice of New South Wales. The address draws on scenes from classical antiquity and Elizabethan times to give a fresh perspective on the law and lawyers in popular culture.

Members may also access the other speeches at the convention, which include "The State of The Profession" by Tim Bugg, the President of the Law Council of Australia and "Law and Government" by Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.

Michael Slattery QC

President