‘The still centre of the storm’: Supreme Court of Tasmania celebrates 200 years

Over 200 years, the Supreme Court of Tasmania emerged from its Van Diemen’s Land era, sending hundreds of criminals to the gallows but also operating as a “safe harbour”. View photos from the court’s bicentenary.

From left, Justice Justice Helen Wood, Chief Justice Alan Blow, and Justice Stephen Estcourt at the Supreme Court of Tasmania’s 200-year anniversary. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Two hundred years ago, the Supreme Court of Van Diemen’s Land opened with its first trial – for a William Tibbs who had shot dead an Aboriginal man.

The court’s opening on May 10, 1824 makes what is now the Supreme Court of Tasmania the oldest of its kind in Australia.

While the Hobart court is now located in Salamanca Place – with other Supreme Court buildings also located in Launceston and Burnie – it first opened two centuries ago on the corner of Murray and Macquarie streets.

On Friday, the court celebrated its bicentenary with a ceremonial sitting – and an almost full bench of nine judges.

Attorney-General Guy Barnett addressed the court, describing it as “our ship of state”.

Attorney-General Guy Barnett addressing the Supreme Court of Tasmania on its bicentenary. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“For 200 years it has kept us on an even keel, and it has slowly changed us,” he said.

“As new cases are decided they create change in our lives, some in small ways, and others more significantly.

“By preserving the rule of law, this court creates a safe harbour, and in doing so allows society to progress in a measured manner.

“It is the still centre of the storm, and the rock upon which our society is founded.”

Julia Higgins, the Law Society of Tasmania president, said the workload of the court had been “significant and constant over the years”.

She said the year 1824 was “very busy” with 25 trials, along with hundreds of summons and actions.

Ms Higgins said 203 criminals were ordered to be hanged by the Supreme Court between 1826 and 1842 – with the final hanging ordered in 1946.

Julia Higgins, president of Law Society of Tasmania. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Capital punishment was still very much alive, and the gallows were inside the jail, which faced onto Murray Street opposite the Supreme Court, it was coincidentally the current location of the Law Society,” Ms Higgins said.

“It was in full view of the street outside and crowds often gathered to watch.”

She said the “heavy caseload” continued to this day, compounded by the increased complexity of society and new challenges.

“Over the past 200 years, this court has heard countless cases from deeply stressful events to the deeply curious, which have impacted lives across generations,” she said.

Ms Higgins said since 1824, more than 5000 lawyers had been admitted to the bar in Tasmania, and that it was the second state in Australia to allow female lawyers.

She said Justice Shan Tennent was the first female judge appointed to the court, in 2005.

“Justice in Tasmania would be unattainable without the creation of this court in 1824,” Ms Higgins said.

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Originally published as ‘The still centre of the storm’: Supreme Court of Tasmania celebrates 200 years