In the early hours of 1 September 1968, as the building’s caretaker was doing his rounds, an unemployed alcoholic named David Brooks, slipped through the doors of Queensland’s historic law courts, designed by colonial architect F D G Stanley in the 1870s. Resentful of the police and the justice system for his habitual arrests, Brooks made his way to the judges’ chambers, drove a knife into an associate’s desk and scribbled the note ‘judge not lest you be judged, sinner.’ He then set the building alight.

By the time the fire was brought under control, much of the building was in ruins. The Supreme Court Library’s books were seriously damaged by fire, smoke and water—as were the portraits hanging in the Judges’ Hall. The arsonist was apprehended within three days of the fire, and convicted within three months of the crime.

However, the building’s fate took longer to resolve. It was not until 1978 that F D G Stanley’s gracious law courts were finally demolished to make way for their modern, but relatively short-lived, successor.

About the Speaker

The Hon Richard Chesterman AO RFD QC was a final year law student and associate to Justice Wanstall (later Chief Justice) when news of the fire broke and brings his personal reminiscences to this lecture.

The Hon Richard Chesterman AO RFD QC graduated Bachelor of Arts (1965) and Bachelor of Laws (1968) from the University of Queensland. He served as associate to the Hon Justice Wanstall from 1966 to 1968. In 1968 he was admitted as a barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland. He commenced practice at the Bar in Brisbane in 1970 and took silk in December 1983.

On 12 March 1998 he was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland. He also served on the Mental Health Tribunal (1998–2002) and as a Commercial List Judge (2002–08). He was appointed a Judge of Appeal on 11 December 2008.

Justice Chesterman was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2011. He resigned from judicial office in April 2012. In May 2012 he was appointed by the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission to head an inquiry into claims of doctor malpractice leading to death and injury in Queensland.

For more information

RSVP by 17th November 2016 to events@sclqld.org.au

Further Details: CPD points - Bar Association of Queensland = 1 point per hour, self-assessed; Queensland Law Society = 1 point per hour, self-assessed.

 

About Selden Society 2016 Lecture Series

In the 2016 Lecture Series, we will be seeking to pursue six new themes. Each of these themes was chosen for their appeal to contemporary Australian audiences and their suitability as a framework for future lecture programs.

In 2016, our six new themes, with their topics and speakers will be:

In 2016, the Supreme Court Library is also honoured to welcome the Deputy Chief Justice, Republic of South Africa, the Hon Dikgang Moseneke, to present this year’s Supreme Court Oration.

In presenting these lectures, we are very grateful again this year for the generous participation of very fine speakers—and for the ongoing support of the Supreme Court of Queensland.

John McKenna QC
Chair, SCLQ History and Publications Committee

If you have any enquiries about the lecture series, please contact us or 07 3006 5130.

Venue

Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law
Level 3, 415 George Street, Brisbane
Room: 
The Banco Court