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| The Hon. Justice Michael Kirby with Acting Dean Fernand de Varennes, and MSLS Representatives Eliot Ryan, Danica Goodbody and Kylie Hocek |
On Tuesday October 21, the School of Law had the special privilege of a visit from His Honour Justice Michael Kirby, of the High Court of Australia. This was to be the Judge’s final visit to Perth during his office as a Justice of the Court.
Justice Kirby addressed an enthusiastic capacity crowd in the Kim Beazley Lecture theatre on the topic of “The High Court: The Most Frequently Asked Questions”. In his address, he touched on various matters of interest relating to life in the Court, such as the Court’s most surreal moments, attitudes toward the possible televising of court hearings, humour in the courts, and the role of clerks and associates.
There was time at the conclusion of His Honour’s address for some questions from the floor, which touched on the issues of voluntary euthanasia, and the compulsory retirement age for Justices of the Court; a pertinent issue given Justice Kirby’s own impending retirement.
Justice Kirby has visited the School several times in recent years, most recently in 2005 and 2006. Acting Dean Fernand de Varennes, in closing the address and thanking the Judge, made note of the School’s hope that the Judge will continue his interest and involvement with the School into the future.
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