Michael Black (judge)

Michael Eric John Black, AC, KC (born 22 March 1940) is a former Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia.

Michael Black
AC, KC
Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia
In office
1 January 1991 – 21 March 2010
Preceded bySir Nigel Bowen
Succeeded byPatrick Keane
Personal details
Born (1940-03-22) 22 March 1940
Kingdom of Egypt
SpouseMargaret
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne
OccupationJudge
ProfessionLawyer

Background and career

Black was born in the Kingdom of Egypt, where his father was serving as an officer in the Royal Air Force. He attended schools in Egypt, England, and Australia (Wesley College, Melbourne). He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne in 1963.

In 1964, Black commenced practice at the Victorian Bar. His practice included civil jury actions as well as commercial and public law cases.

Black was appointed Queen's Counsel for Victoria in 1980 and for Tasmania in 1984. As Queen's Counsel, he specialised in appellate work, including cases in constitutional, commercial and industrial law.[1] One of the constitutional cases was the Tasmanian Dam Case in 1983, where he represented the Tasmanian Wilderness Society.[2] Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II, his title changed to King's Counsel automatically.

Judicial and later career

Black was appointed Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia on 1 January 1991.[3] As Chief Justice, he had, as well as his judicial duties, statutory responsibility for the administration of the Court.

In 1981, he was appointed the Foundation Chairman of the Victorian Bar's Readers Course, the Bar's pioneering course of instruction for new barristers, and later served as the representative of the Victorian Bar on the Board of the Leo Cussen Institute for Continuing Legal Education. As Chief Justice, he actively supported the Federal Court's work in the field of judicial education. He was also Chair of the Advisory Committee for introduction of the Juris Doctor degree at Melbourne Law School. He retired as Chief Justice on 21 March 2010 and was succeeded by Patrick Keane.[4]

Honours

On Australia Day, 1998, Black was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for service to the law, to the legal profession and to the judiciary.

Personal life

Black's interests outside the law include architecture, history, and maritime matters.

References
  1. "Biographical Information". Technology for Justice: Conference 1998. The Australian Institute of Judicial Administration Incorporated. March 1998. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014.
  2. Douglas, Richard (26 February 2010). Ceremonial Farewell for the Hon. Justice Michael Black AC (Speech). Hearsay. Bar Association of Queensland.
  3. Wood, Leonie (24 June 2011). "Judge who set the pace for the law". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  4. "Chief Justice of the Federal Court Michael Black steps down". ABC Radio National. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2022.


 

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