Doyle decision influenced by illness
SUPREME Court Chief Justice John Doyle will retire six months earlier than planned because of concerns he is suffering from the onset of Parkinson's Disease.
SUPREME Court Chief Justice John Doyle will retire six months earlier than planned because of concerns he is suffering from the onset of Parkinson's Disease.
In an interview with The Advertiser yesterday, Chief Justice Doyle said doctors considered it "probable" that he had the condition, which affects a person's body but not their mind or their cognitive skills.
Chief Justice Doyle emphasised that the diagnosis was a "minor factor" in his shock resignation. "I had been planning to retire in the next six months anyway," the retiring judge said.
He added: "This (diagnosis) was no more than a factor that caused me to say `now' rather than in six months' time. After 17 years, I just think it's time for change ... a new per- son with new ideas and fresh energy will benefit the organisation."
Chief Justice Doyle, 67, was appointed to the top judge's role in 1995. His resignation - tendered on April 30 - will take effect on June 22, three years be- fore his 70th birthday, and the mandatory retirement age.
In a wide-ranging interview yesterday, His Honour discussed:
HIS fear the civil jurisdiction will "strangle itself " if the length of court cases is not curbed.
THE need for judges, lawyers and government to work together to keep justice affordable.
THE challenges of taking evidence from disabled witnesses.
HIS desire to work with law students who, he says, will bring technological savvy to the courts.
THE importance of judges undertaking professional development and further education.
"We have yet to succeed in satisfying the State Government that providing funding for judicial professional development is a sound investment. That remains a challenge," he said.
Chief Justice Doyle is widely respected as a tireless campaigner for increased justice funding.
On Monday, Attorney-General John Rau used a special Supreme Court sitting to announce a $300,000 "scoping study" looking at redeveloping the courts precinct.
Yesterday, Chief Justice Doyle said the announcement was encouraging.
"Obviously I was very pleased to hear it, and I'm pleased that the Government is undertaking a scoping study," he said.
"I will remain pleased only if that does lead to a decision to commit to redevelopment, because that has been needed for at least 10 years."
He said the existing Supreme Court building, on Victoria Square, could not be rehabilitated.
"New buildings are what we're really talking about, not fixing up this building," he said. "It cannot be changed enough so it would provide facilities of contemporary stature.
"What we need is a new building on this site."
Though the potential for redevelopment has come at the end of his tenure, Chief Justice Doyle said the news was not bittersweet.
"I've known all along that, from a decision to undertake a study to completion of a building, redevelopment would likely take four to five years," he said. "I've realised redevelopment would not be in my time - and apart from that, it remains to be seen if this announcement will lead to change.
"If it does, I will simply be pleased that it has happened ... it doesn't make any difference to me whether it's while I'm Chief Justice, or while someone else is."