Chief Justice to Retire
NSW Chief Justice James Spigelman has announced his intention to resign.
Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence and NSW Chief Justice Jim Spigelman
The state’s 16th Chief Justice will resign on 31 May 2011, six days after his 13th anniversary in the top job.
Chief Justice Spigelman said he had been honoured to lead the state’s highest court.
“I leave with the same level of commitment and enthusiasm I brought to the job in 1998,” he said.
“However, I believe that any organisation needs refreshing, and after 13 years, it also seems an appropriate time for me to personally and professionally refresh myself.”
Chief Justice Spigelman paid tribute to the highly skilled and qualified bench of judicial officers who currently make up the Supreme Court, 41 of whom were appointed during his tenure
He also acknowledged the contribution of the three NSW Attorney’s General he has worked with, the court’s administrative staff, the officers of the Department of Justice and Attorney General and the state’s legal profession in improving the efficiency of the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Spigelman cited the following administrative highlights of his time in office: a substantial reduction in court delays; innovative case management; additional court lists headed by specialist judges; the increased use of technology; and the government’s large capital investment in refurbishing the Queens Square Law Courts.
Chief Justice Spigelman said he intended to gather a “small portfolio of different roles” upon his retirement from the court.
“In my swearing-in speech, I announced that I was dedicating my life to the law to a degree that I have hitherto managed to avoid,” he recalled. “Now, I look forward to dedicating my life to a more diverse range of tasks.”
Thank you to Chief Justice for your commitment to fairness and equality. You will be forever remembered too for your contribution to changing Australian history by helping lead the 1965 Freedom Ride. What an inspirational action and to think you were only 19 years old at the time. All the very best in your next endeavours.