Michael McHugh
Encyclopedia
Michael Hudson McHugh, AC
, QC
(born 1 November 1935) is a former justice of the High Court of Australia
; the highest court in the Australian court hierarchy
.
. He was appointed Queen's Counsel
(QC) in 1973 and was Vice President of the New South Wales Bar Association 1978 - 1981 and then President 1981 - 1983. In 1980, he was counsel for Wyong Shire Council in the landmark negligence case on breach of duty, Wyong Shire Council v Shirt. He was President of the Australian Bar Association 1983-84. He was appointed as a Justice of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
in 1984.
He was appointed as a judge of the High Court in February 1989, a position he held until his retirement in November 2005 in accordance with Section 72 of the Australian Constitution, which states that Justices of the High Court must retire from office upon turning 70. After his retirement from the High Court, Justice McHugh was appointed as one of the Non-permanent Justices of the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong. Another Australian judge on the Court of Final Appeal is Sir Anthony Mason. On 20 September 2005 it was announced that Justice Susan Crennan
, then of the Federal Court of Australia
, would take his vacated position on the High Court.
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 1 November 1935) is a former justice of the High Court of Australia
High Court of Australia
The High Court of Australia is the supreme court in the Australian court hierarchy and the final court of appeal in Australia. It has both original and appellate jurisdiction, has the power of judicial review over laws passed by the Parliament of Australia and the parliaments of the States, and...
; the highest court in the Australian court hierarchy
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...
.
Judicial Activity
McHugh was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1961 after taking the Barristers Admission Board ExaminationsLegal Profession Admission Board (NSW)
The Legal Profession Admission Board is the statutory authority responsible for the admission of lawyers in New South Wales. It was formerly two separate boards; the Barristers Admission Board and the Solicitors Admission Board...
. He was appointed Queen's Counsel
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...
(QC) in 1973 and was Vice President of the New South Wales Bar Association 1978 - 1981 and then President 1981 - 1983. In 1980, he was counsel for Wyong Shire Council in the landmark negligence case on breach of duty, Wyong Shire Council v Shirt. He was President of the Australian Bar Association 1983-84. He was appointed as a Justice of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
Supreme Court of New South Wales
The Supreme Court of New South Wales is the highest state court of the Australian State of New South Wales...
in 1984.
He was appointed as a judge of the High Court in February 1989, a position he held until his retirement in November 2005 in accordance with Section 72 of the Australian Constitution, which states that Justices of the High Court must retire from office upon turning 70. After his retirement from the High Court, Justice McHugh was appointed as one of the Non-permanent Justices of the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong. Another Australian judge on the Court of Final Appeal is Sir Anthony Mason. On 20 September 2005 it was announced that Justice Susan Crennan
Susan Crennan
Susan Maree Crennan AC , is an Australian judge, a Justice of the High Court of Australia, the highest court in the Australian court hierarchy.-Biography:...
, then of the Federal Court of Australia
Federal Court of Australia
The Federal Court of Australia is an Australian superior court of record which has jurisdiction to deal with most civil disputes governed by federal law , along with some summary criminal matters. Cases are heard at first instance by single Judges...
, would take his vacated position on the High Court.
Honours
- He received Australia's highest civil honour when he was made a Companion of the Order of AustraliaOrder of AustraliaThe 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"...
(AC) in 1989.