The Barrister from the North

Photographed:  Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding; Hon Justice Muir; Ms  Ann Meyhew; Hon Justice Cullinane; Ms  Elicia Caligaris; Mr  Sergey Kinchin; Dr  Louise Floyd; Mr  Nicholas Blaker; Ms  Maria Hannemann; Mr  Boyd Johnson; Hon  Justice MA McMurdo AO; and Professor Steve Graw. 

On Tuesday, 27 May 2008, the James Cook Law School hosted a reception for the Justices of the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Queensland. The reception was to mark the northern sittings of the court – which is based in Brisbane – and served as a wonderful opportunity for staff and students of the Law School to share their stories and experiences with the members of the court, all of the north Queensland Judges and some members of the practising Townsville legal community. In his opening remarks, Professor Stephen Graw, Head of the Law School, praised the judges for offering their time to inspire and motivate the student body. He also praised the students, themselves, such as: Mr Sergey Kinchin and Mr Nicholas Blaker, who have reached the finals of the Kirby Cup; and Ms  to Elicia Calligaris, President of the Student’s Law Society. In response, the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Margaret McMurdo AO, expressed the court’s pleasure at returning to the north of the state. She also urged all students to aim high in their careers but always to remember that Law is a profession which honours ethics and serves justice. The function – held at the Balcony of the Halls of Residence at JCU on a “beautiful, balmy night” – was organised by Dr  Louise Floyd,  the Law School’s Director of Research – and former Judge’s Associate to the Hon Justice McMurdo.  In the week following the Court Reception, the staff and students of James Cook Law School met the US Ambassador to Australia, the Right Honourable Robert D. McCallum, Junior at the Business Excellence Series in the Tropics – which was organised by JCU.

THE BARRISTER FROM THE NORTH

by The Prez

With apologies to A B (Banjo) Paterson and “The Man from Ironbark”

Queensland appeal judges came up to northern climes,
They wandered over Castle Hill; they tried to save their dimes.
They loitered here, they loitered there, they did not have a car.
And so, at last, in sheer despair they sought the local Bar!
“Please help us Brisbane judges out, we want to get it right.
And stop our High Court betters from getting so uptight!”

One barrister was tall and suave; Jim Henry was his name.
He wore a lurid, fancy tie; thought judges were fair game.
He was a humorist of note and keen at repartee.
He had a thought, a rare event; he was of course SC.
And when he saw the judges come, he whispered out his mouth,
“Young Greggery, you watch me catch these judges from the south!”

There were some gilded law students along the court room wall,
Their eyes were dull from study and attending the Law Ball;
To them Jim Henry passed the wink, his dexter eyelid shut,
“I’ll make these Brisbane judges think the law is what it’s not!”
The judges were coming into court; Copley and Collins discerned.
Henry waved some copied case: yelled “Woolmington’s o’re turned!”

McMurdo’s face went ghostly white; Mackenzie turned quite red.
Muir’s, Cullinane’s and Jones’ words – best left unsaid!
A gasp was all reply Jim got; and so he said it twice.
That made the judges gasp again – and so he said it thrice!
Jim raised his voice. A pregnant pause. Then stopped a while to gloat.
Repeating his amazing claim which he had learned off rote.

The judges were a tad concerned – it could not be a joke!
There are some things, fun at which, you simply mustn’t poke!
The judges found their voice at last and faced their legal foe:
“Onus of proof is on the Crown, Henry, you know that’s so!”
Trevino then continued on with Henry’s wild claim:
“The law, it’s changed! Gleeson CJ, Crennan, Kiefel and Hayne!”

“Probabilities are here and reasoned doubt has passed.
Kirby was dissentiate – this time his very last!”
And all the while those Brizzie judges squirmed and moved their ground.
And statements ’bout the “golden thread” resounded all around.
Keegan and Cowan tried to calm those angry judges down,
“But rights like these”, the judges said, “were matters for the Crown.”

Pack SC, who heard the din, came in to sort things out.
Baulchie took Jim Henry on, but Henry would but pout!
But then at last Jim Henry spoke and said, “ ’Twas all in fun –
’Twas just a little northern joke, a trifle overdone.”
“A joke”, the judges growled, “We’ll bring you lot to heel!
These northern joking barristers when next they want to appeal!”

And now while round the QCs’ desks the listening juniors gape,
They tell the story o’er and o’er of Henry’s bold escape.
He left the Bar, and very wise: the judges said enough!
He made a fortune selling shares, investment plans and stuff.
In Townsville, Canberra, Brisbane too, there’s one thing that’s for sure –
Reasonable doubt and Woolmington is still the bloody law!