James Burrows Thomas
Encyclopedia
The Honourable Justice James Burrows Thomas AM
QC
(born 12 March 1935) was a judge on the Supreme Court of Queensland
(1998–2002), which is the highest ranking court
in the Australia
n State
of Queensland
.
He went to school at Windsor State School from 1940 to 1948.
While at high school at age 16 he commenced work as a builder's labourer and continued that work 2 months each year for six years.
After completing high school he continued his education at CEGS (1949–1952), and finally at the University of Queensland
(1953–1958) where he obtained his BA and LLB. He married Joan Martin on 22 February 1963, has one daughter and three sons.
in 1976.
Thomas was appointed as a Puisne Judge on 18 February 1982 and served until 29 July 1998. On 30 July 1998 he was appointed to the Court of Appeal Division where he stayed until his retirement. His work included decisions in Criminal Law. His expertise in that arena would later be relied upon after his retirement. Work as a Supreme Court Judge appealed to his intellect as he enjoys solving puzzles and described his work as a Judge as "being paid to do puzzles that I enjoy doing".
He retired in 2002 citing the fact that he was an outdoor person and the desire to retire early enough to "get a life while he still has one".
Thomas was a member of the Litigation Reform Commission from 1992 until 1997. In 1993 he submitted a paper on jury
reform.
In 2007 the Queensland DPP reportedly relied upon his Criminal Law expertise in seeking his advice before making a decision regarding evidence in the Chris Hurley case.
for his services to music education and legal ethics
.
Thomas wrote Judicial Ethics in Australia in 1988; a 2nd edition was published in 1997 by the Law Book Company.
Thomas also wrote Curious Connections - Master Musicians and the Law, a study on the historical links between two seemingly disconnected professions.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
QC
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(born 12 March 1935) was a judge on the Supreme Court of Queensland
Supreme Court of Queensland
The Supreme Court of Queensland, which is based at the Law Courts Complex, is the superior court for the Australian State of Queensland and sits around the middle of the Australian court hierarchy...
(1998–2002), which is the highest ranking court
Australian court hierarchy
There are two streams within the hierarchy of Australian courts, the federal stream and the state and territory stream. While the federal courts and the court systems in each state and territory are separate, the High Court of Australia remains the ultimate court of appeal for the Australian...
in the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n State
States and territories of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...
of Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
.
Personal
James Burrows Thomas was born on 12 March 1935 to Joseph Thomas and Norma Thomas (née Burrows). Thomas brought an unusually broad knowledge of life into his judicial career commencing his education at a public school and being a former builder's labourer.He went to school at Windsor State School from 1940 to 1948.
While at high school at age 16 he commenced work as a builder's labourer and continued that work 2 months each year for six years.
After completing high school he continued his education at CEGS (1949–1952), and finally at the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
(1953–1958) where he obtained his BA and LLB. He married Joan Martin on 22 February 1963, has one daughter and three sons.
Legal career
Thomas was admitted to Queensland Bar 1958. He began his career in private practice in 1959, and continued until practicing until 1982 when he became a judge. He was the Director of Barristers' Chambers Ltd from 1967 to 1976. He was on the Barristers' Board from 1973 through 1982. He became a QCQueen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
in 1976.
Thomas was appointed as a Puisne Judge on 18 February 1982 and served until 29 July 1998. On 30 July 1998 he was appointed to the Court of Appeal Division where he stayed until his retirement. His work included decisions in Criminal Law. His expertise in that arena would later be relied upon after his retirement. Work as a Supreme Court Judge appealed to his intellect as he enjoys solving puzzles and described his work as a Judge as "being paid to do puzzles that I enjoy doing".
He retired in 2002 citing the fact that he was an outdoor person and the desire to retire early enough to "get a life while he still has one".
Thomas was a member of the Litigation Reform Commission from 1992 until 1997. In 1993 he submitted a paper on jury
Jury
A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...
reform.
In 2007 the Queensland DPP reportedly relied upon his Criminal Law expertise in seeking his advice before making a decision regarding evidence in the Chris Hurley case.
Other professional activities
- President, National Union AUS 1956-1957
- Member Council and Board of Governors International House 1955-1971
- CMF Captain AALC 1965-1972
- Council Chair of Queensland Conservatorium of Music 1982-1991
- Lecturer in Legal Ethics, University of Queensland, 1983–1992
- Member Faculty Board University of Queensland, 1975–1981
Achievements
In 1994 Thomas was made a Member of the Order of AustraliaOrder of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
for his services to music education and legal ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
.
Thomas wrote Judicial Ethics in Australia in 1988; a 2nd edition was published in 1997 by the Law Book Company.
Thomas also wrote Curious Connections - Master Musicians and the Law, a study on the historical links between two seemingly disconnected professions.