This book contains a selection of papers and speeches by Michael Kirby covering a century – from 1975 to 2025. He reflects on his journey from childhood in 1950s Australia and through law school and legal practice to his work as inaugural President of the Australian Law Reform Commission, President of the Court of Appeal of NSW and Justice of the High Court of Australia along with other posts. He was advanced the equality principle for women and all minority groups, including gays and other sexual minorities.
ADVOCACY IN CRIMINAL APPEALS
Author: Stephen Keim SC This article looks at those aspects of advocacy that are of particular relevance to criminal appeals. There are, of course, skills and abilities that are required in all aspects of advocacy, including the conduct of criminal
Fighting the Death Penalty from Australia
The importance of opposing the death penalty, and its continuing relevance in Australia, a country that abolished this cruel practice many years ago.
Indigenous Equality – The Long Road
This essay identifies some of incremental progress towards substantive racial equality in Australia for First Nations Peoples observed in the course of a legal practice extending over the past 44 years, affected by cases brought before the courts, particularly the case of Mabo v Queensland. It discusses the impact on that progress of legislation, particularly the Native Title Act. It concludes that recognition of the fiduciary duty of the Government towards its First Nations Peoples may be a necessary prerequisite to according them self determination and equality within the Australian nation.