NewsBite

Susan Kiefel

July 2024

Justice James Edelman

The High Court’s youngest judge is its new contrarian

James Edelman was once mistaken for a drinks waiter by a fellow judge at a cocktail party, now he’s arguably the High Court’s most interesting justice.

November 2023

The new chief justice Stephen Gageler at his chambers in Sydney.

Gageler puts a firm stamp on ‘new’ High Court

The new chief justice wanted to send a message that this would be a different court from that presided over by Susan Kiefel since 2017 – and he succeeded.

Chief Justice Kiefel:

The one question the High Court chief justice asked to hire associates

Susan Kiefel says she only needed 10 minutes to interview prospective associates, and one key question helped her decide.

Terror plotter Abdul Nacer Benbrika has won a High Court bid to retain his Australian citizenship.

Terrorist wins citizenship battle in High Court

Convicted terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika has won a High Court bid to restore his Australian citizenship.

Chief Justice Susan Kiefel.

‘We were looking for a fair go’: Susan Kiefel on her rise to the top

Australia’s first female chief justice says she wanted a chance to prove herself. That’s precisely what she did over her long and distinguished career.

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October 2023

 Justice Robert Beech Jones speak at his farewell to the NSw Supreme Court, with Chief Justice Andrew Bell on his right

That’s a rap: raucous send-off for new High Court judge

Robert Beech-Jones once left fellow judges “awestruck” with a Christmas Party rap, and he admits not being the best writer in the family.

High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel.

Legal profession needs more female leaders: Kiefel

High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel says there is “still much to be done within the profession to advance women”.

August 2023

Stephen Gageler, the new Chief Justice of the High Court.

Changing of the guard: Gageler to shake up legal world

The next chief justice has already caused a stir with a paper on judicial legitimacy.

Miller with and her husband Robert Beech-Jones, a NSW Supreme Court judge: “He understood how hard it was to be in the law and not have connections.”

Playwright on a high over judgment day

Playwright Suzie Miller told a recent Lunch with the AFR how she met High Court judge Robert Beech-Jones after he agreed to work on a case.

High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel.

Cripps or Kiefel? Caught between a ruck and a known face

The AFL superstar and the High Court Chief Justice took part in a lunch in Melbourne. But which one had top billing for guest of honour Ray Finkelstein?

Walter Sofronoff, KC, during the inquiry into the handling of the Lehrmann case.

What were you thinking, Walter Sofronoff?

Why would the former judge provide advance copies of his Lehrmann inquiry report to only two journalists? And a farewell tour, of sorts, for High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel. That’s Hearsay.

High Court sets scene for bigger corporate penalties

The court took a hard line in a foreign bribery case - a decision which could flow on to offences including cartel conduct and insider trading.

July 2023

NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell.

Dark horse emerges in race for High Court chief

Andrew Bell has emerged as an alternative to long-time favourite Stephen Gageler as the government considers who will replace Susan Kiefel as chief justice.

June 2023

On shortlists for the High Court: (Top) Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue, Justice Nye Perram, Justice Mark Leeming.
Bottom: Justice Robert Beech-Jones, Chief Justice Lucy McCallum, Justin Gleeson, SC.

Who will replace Susan Kiefel on the High Court?

The government has started the formal search to replace the chief justice, who will retire in November.

Chief Justice Susan Kiefel as captured in 2018 for the AFR Magazines’ Power issue.

‘Firm and gracious’ Kiefel calls time as chief justice

The first woman to lead the High Court will leave in November, almost three months before she was due to retire.

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October 2022

AFR SYDNEY. Reporter,  Michaela Whitbourn.  Photo shows, Newly appointed High Court judge - Jayne Jagot in her chambers at the Federal Court, Sydney.  Photo by Peter Rae. Thursday 29 September , 2022

Jayne Jagot sworn in to High Court

The nation’s highest court has a majority of female justices on the bench for the first time.

Patrick Keane at his High Court chambers in Brisbane.

Keane laments exit after ‘wonderful’ innings on High Court

Justice Patrick Keane, who will step down on Monday, reflects on a life in the law, and nine years on Australia’s highest court.

September 2022

The new High Court will be (from left): Susan Kiefel, Simon Steward, Michelle Gordon, Jacqui Gleeson, Stephen Gageler, James Edelman, and Jayne Jagot

Jayne Jagot joins the High Court

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has named Federal Court judge Jayne Jagot to the High Court of Australia, in an appointment that secures a female majority on the court for the first time.

A decision to end Russia’s lease of a new diplomatic site could end up in the High Court.

High Court race could be down to three

The names that have emerged from the pack in the search for the 56th justice of the High Court.

Chief Justice Susan Kiefel said she assumed that “a female Chief Justice would have had a greater impact”

Thought the figures would be better: Kiefel on women in the High Court

The High Court Chief Justice isn’t convinced that women are yet on a path to equality in the law, and has the research to prove it.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/person/susan-kiefel-5iw