Sir Charles Lilley (1827–97) was a towering figure in politics and law in colonial Queensland, but his final years were dogged by controversy.   In October 1892, Sir Charles announced his intention to resign as second Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland (1879–93). The catalyst was his behaviour throughout the 57-day civil trial of Queensland Investment and Land Mortgage Co Ltd v Grimley. Leading up to his resignation, Sir Charles increasingly eschewed norms of judicial detachment. Grimley was the final straw.   This lecture examines the Grimley affair and considers the e ..read more

Many consider Lord Denning (1899–1999) to be the most important English judge of the 20th century. His witty and trenchant judgments are read by law students and cited by legal texts and lawyers in the United Kingdom as well as Australia, Canada and beyond. The Honourable James Douglas uses this lecture to examine Lord Denning’s life and judicial philosophy, as well as Denning’s willingness to reconsider precedent and reform legal principles. About the speakerThe Honourable James Douglas QC was educated at The University of Queensland, graduating Bachelor of Arts (1971) and Bachelor of Laws ..read more

Sir Ross Cranston will draw on themes in his recent book, Making commercial law through practice 1830–1970 (Cambridge UP, 2021), emphasising the Australian dimension.  He will examine three areas: markets, agency and sales, to show that although the common law provided the backdrop to commercial activity, it was in practice a flexible tool to achieve what the parties wanted.    About the speaker   Sir Ross Cranston is professor of law at the London School of Economics, where he was previously Cassel professor of commercial law. After graduating from the University of Queensland with ..read more

TJ Ryan, as leader of Queensland’s first Labor government to have a majority in the lower house of state parliament, implemented wide‑ranging political, economic and social reforms in the face of opposition from the upper house and resistance from the Supreme Court of Queensland.   After his untimely death in 1922, Ryan’s successors launched sustained attacks on the Legislative Council and the Supreme Court of Queensland. In this lecture, Justice Keane AC considers the extent to which the attacks on these institutions of government should be regarded as part of Ryan’s legacy. About the s ..read more

During John Marshall’s long tenure as Chief Justice (1801-1835) a decision of particular importance was Marbury v Madison 5 US 137 (1803), in which Marshall CJ delivered the opinion of the court. The judgment established the key role of the Supreme Court in determining the constitutional validity of federal legislation. The decision would become highly influential in the development of the doctrine of judicial review in Australian constitutional law. We hope you enjoy listening to speaker the Hon Justice John Bond explore the life, career and legacy of Chief Justice John Marshall (1755-1835 ..read more

Sir Samuel Griffith’s Brisbane home was a grand riverfront estate in the Brisbane suburb of New Farm. It was lavishly furnished with Chippendale furniture and Italian objets d’art and even included a high-ceilinged ballroom at its centre in which Sir Samuel and Lady Julia Griffith held their many official and social engagements.  Brisbane architect Richard Kirk explores Griffith’s life through the lens of his New Farm home, and tells Merthyr House’s story—emblematic of the evolution of Brisbane, from colonial outpost to its emergence today as a future Olympic city.   Richard Kirk is ..read more

After her ‘brilliant boy’ drowned in an unfenced trench in 1937, Mrs Chester took legal action against the local council. Although her claim would ultimately be unsuccessful, the dissenting and empathic judgment of Justice Evatt would mark a critical moment in Australian law and its approach to psychological trauma. In our latest podcast author Gideon Haigh and Associate Professor Kylie Burns examine Justice Evatt’s judgment and discuss how inconsolable psychological trauma is viewed by our legal system today.  Gideon Haigh is a well know Australian author and journalist, who has written ..read more

Listen to a panel discussion between the Hon Justice Peter Applegarth AM, author Gideon Haigh and Associate Professor Kylie Burns that took place after the lecture 'Mrs Chester’s lost child: inconsolable psychological injury and Justice Evatt’s finest judgment'. This lecture was brought to you by Australian Academy of Law (academyoflaw.org.au/) and the Selden Society (Australia) (legalheritage.sclqld.org.au/selden-society).  Support the show (https://legalheritage.sclqld.org.au/membership-information ..read more

Many leading equity texts and lawyers continue to quote Lord Eldon’s judgments. He is seen by many to be one of the most famous of the Chancery judges in equity law, as he systematised and bought certainty to its principles. Listen to Queensland barrister Andrew Stumer capture the interrelationship between Lord Eldon’s personal life, character and judgments.    Andrew Stumer was admitted to the Bar in 2010, practicing in commercial law. He served as an Associate to the Hon Justice Atkinson, Supreme Court of Queensland, undertaking articles of clerkship with Allens before commencing e ..read more

Sir Samuel Griffith was undoubtedly the instigator of some of the greatest law reform moments in Queensland history. This lecture attempts to capture the most significant pieces of law reform for which he was singularly responsible for more than a quarter of a century.   The range of subjects include both civil and criminal law, substantive law and procedural law with a view to identifying what was innovative and, at times, audacious.  About the speaker: The Hon Justice David Jackson began his career in law when he was admitted as a barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 197 ..read more