Jane Mathews
Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW & Judge of Appeal | |
---|---|
In office 2001–2018 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Wollongong, NSW, Australia | 19 December 1940
Died | 31 August 2019 | (aged 78)
Alma mater | Frensham School University of Sydney (Women's College) |
Occupation | Judge, Crown Prosecutor, Lawyer |
Jane Hamilton Mathews
Early life and education
Mathews was born in Wollongong, NSW, the daughter of Frank Mathews, the Chief Engineer of the BHP Steel Works at Port Kembla and went to school at Frensham School in Mittagong.[2] Mathews studied law at the University of Sydney, residing at the Women's College in 1958 & 59,[3] graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1961.[4]
Career
At the time admission as a solicitor required both a law degree and a period as an articled clerk. Mathews did her articles with Dawson Waldron Edwards & Nichols, where she was the first female articled clerk and was admitted as a solicitor in 1962. Mathews returned to Wollongong with Beale and Geddes until 1965 when she worked at Allen, Allen & Hemsley.[2]
Mathews became a barrister in 1969, practising in criminal law and was appointed counsel assisting the Royal Commission on Human Relationships which had broad terms of reference to "inquire into and report upon the family, social, educational, legal and sexual aspects of male and female relationships". The Commission covered topics as diverse as abortion, domestic violence, the police and courts’ treatment of rape victims and discrimination faced by gays and lesbians. The Commission ran from 1974 until 1977.[5] Following which Mathews was appointed a Crown Prosecutor in 1977.
In addition to her legal career, Mathews was Deputy Chancellor of the
Supreme Court of NSW
Mathews was the first woman to be appointed a judge of the NSW Supreme Court in 1987 and only the second woman in Australia to be appointed to a Supreme Court after Roma Mitchell in South Australia in 1965.[8] Mathews resigned to become the President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in 1994 however returned to the NSW Supreme Court as an Acting Judge and Acting Judge of Appeal from 2001.[2] Mathews retired as an acting judge in 2018 on reaching the age of 77.[9]
Federal Court of Australia
In 1994 the
In 1996 Mathews was appointed to prepare a report on Aboriginal Heritage issues in relation to the Hindmarsh Island bridge controversy. The High Court held that her appointment, even though conferred on Mathews personally (referred to as persona designata), was incompatible with her role as a federal judge.[10][11] Mathews resigned from the Federal Court in 2001 to return as an acting judge of the Supreme Court of NSW.[2]
Honours
In 1993 Mathews was given an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Wollongong, not only for her ground breaking work as a lawyer and judge, but also for her work in establishing the faculty of law at the University of Wollongong.[4] In 2000 Mathews was given an honorary doctorate of law by the University of Sydney.[12] In 2005 Mathews was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the judiciary, to the legal profession, to the University of NSW, and to music.[13]
Death
Mathews died on 31 August 2019.[14] A State Memorial Service was held at the Playhouse, Sydney Opera House on 18 October 2019.[15]
See also
References
- ^ "Jane Mathews". Australian Women Lawyers as Active Citizens. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f Jowett, T. "An interview with Acting Justice Jane Matthews". (2015 Summer) Bar News: Journal of the NSW Bar Association 54. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ "Jane Hamilton Mathews LLB., Syd., LL. (Hon.) Wollongong Uni". www.thewomenscollege.com.au. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ a b "Citation: Admission of Jane Hamilton Mathews to the Degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa" (PDF). University of Wollongong. 8 October 1993. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ "Royal Commission on Human Relationships". 21 November 1977. Retrieved 2 November 2017 – via Analysis & Policy Observatory.
- ^ Margaret Sleeman was appointed a NSW Magistrate on 27 July 1970,[2] however magistrates were not judicial officers until 1986: "History of New South Wales courts and tribunals". Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ McColl, R. "Celebrating Women in the Judiciary". [2014] New South Wales Judicial Scholarship 2. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ Elizabeth Evatt had been appointed Chief Judge of the Family Court in 1976 and Mary Gaudron was appointed a judge of the High Court earlier in 1987.
- ^ Beazley, Margaret (15 June 2018). "Honouring Justice Jane Mathews AO" (PDF). Supreme Court of NSW. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
- ^ Wilson v Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs [1996] HCA 18, (1996) 189 CLR 1, High Court.
- ISBN 1-86287-586-3.
- ^ "Honorary awards: The Hon Justice Jane Hamilton Mathews". University of Sydney. 27 October 2000. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ "MATHEWS, Jane Hamilton". Australian Honours search facility. 13 June 2005. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ "The Hon Jane Hamilton Mathews AO (1940-2019)". In brief. NSW Bar Association. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
- ^ "Tributes & Celebrations". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 October 2019. p. 30.