Philip Whistler Street
Sir Dudley de Chair | |
|---|---|
| Preceded by | Sir William Cullen |
| Succeeded by | Sir Frederick Jordan |
| Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales | |
| In office 1 October 1930 – 17 October 1938 | |
| Preceded by | Sir William Cullen |
| Succeeded by | Sir Frederick Jordan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 August 1863 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 11 September 1938 (aged 75) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Children | Sir Kenneth Street |
| Parent | John Street |
| Relatives | Street family |
| Alma mater | Sydney Law School |
Sir Philip Whistler Street,
He was the first wholly Australian-trained lawyer to be appointed as Chief Justice of Australia's first Supreme Court, and the second longest serving Chief Justice of that Supreme Court. His son Sir Kenneth's accession to the Supreme Court of New South Wales while he was Chief Justice made the only Australian case of a father and son presiding over the same Supreme Court.
Early years
Street was born in
Street attended
Early career
Street was made a full
"An Australian of the fourth generation, Sir Philip stood for the finest qualities in our national life. His career confirmed that public confidence in the integrity of our judiciary which is so strong a foundation for a stable and civilized society [...] His temperament was splendidly judicial, remarkably free from any possible bias of opinion or emotion, apt to see any issue in board perspective, and quick to penetrate to its essentials. These qualifications, combined with wide experience of various jurisdictions, especially that of Equity, made particularly acceptable his succession to Sir William Cullen as Chief Justice."
John Bennett, The Sydney Morning Herald[4]
In 1918, Street was appointed the Chief Judge in Equity. He was the first wholly Australian-trained lawyer to become Chief Justice of Australia's first Supreme Court. Street was also appointed a
Later career
"Street had the culture, dignity and temperament suitable for his position. He had a wide knowledge of law and the ability to quickly reach the heart of the matter; however complicated a case might seem on the surface, the real issue involved soon became apparent to him. Though he had a keen sense of humour his court never lost its dignity and decorum, and though he would not allow himself to be fettered by mere technicalities, he insisted on the maintenance of the basic principles of law. His courtesy was universal and he never lost the affection and respect of the members of his profession."
Street's elder son Kenneth became a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales while he was himself. According to Percival Serle, this may be the first time a father and son have sat on the same Supreme Court bench together. Street became acting Chief Justice in 1924 and on 28 January 1925, he became Chief Justice proper, succeeding Sir William Cullen. Street served in that office until his 70th birthday in 1933. According to the Supreme Court, he resigned his commission although Serle notes that he actually retired. Whatever is correct, he was the second longest serving judge in New South Wales.[1] He became Lieutenant-Governor in 1930 and administered the government in the absence of the Governor in 1934, 1935 and 1936.[6]
Further details
Street was Chairman of Sydney Grammar School from 1912 to 1929. He was a member of the Senate of the
References
- ^ Melbourne University Press. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Archives Investigator". Government of New South Wales. Archived from the original on 5 September 2007. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
- ^ a b "The Honourable Sir Philip Whistler Street, K.C.M.G., K.St.J". Lawlink NSW. Archived from the original on 27 October 2004. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
- ^ ISBN 0-455-19240-5. P49
- ^ "Ross's monthly of protest, personality and progress. (Melbourne : Robert Samuel Ross, 1916–[1923])". Monash University Library. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
- ^ a b Serle, Percival. "Street, Sir Philip Whistler (1863–1938)". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Project Gutenberg Australia. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
| International | |
|---|---|
| People | |
