It is fitting that the longest chapter in the longish biography of Sir Gerard Brennan, a former chief justice, is devoted to the cases that established a system of native title for Indigenous Australians.
Brennan, who died in 2022, wrote the leading judgment in Mabo (No 2) v Queensland, and it remains his principal legacy from 17 years on the High Court (1981-1998),
Michael PellyLegal editorMichael Pelly is the legal editor, based in our Sydney newsroom. He has been a senior adviser to federal and state attorneys-general and written two books, one a biography of former High Court Chief Justice Murray Gleeson. Email Michael at michael.pelly@afr.com
