Former NT Justices John Nader and Brian Martin die aged 91 and 86

The daughter of a former Chief Justice has shared her memories of the man behind the bench.

Justice Brian F Martin and Justice John Nader at the swearing-in of Justice Brian Martin on October 12, 1987. Picture: Supplied

The complex behind-the-scenes life of one of the Territory’s top legal minds has been fondly remembered by his grieving loved ones.

The Territory farewelled two revered “legal eagles” in April, with former NT Supreme Court Justice John Nader passing away in NSW on April 22, aged 91, and former Chief Justice Brian Martin dying just two days later in Darwin, aged 86.

Mr Martin’s daughter Janelle Scutt shared her memories of her father, who she described as a “complex man, tough and loving, formidable, and revered”.

“He was incredibly intelligent and had impressive wit and a very dry sense of humour,” she said.

Ms Scutt said her parents were a team, right until his final day.

“Mum and Dad were a remarkable team, committed to each other from the moment they started dating until the day he died,” she said.

Brian Martin and wife Lorraine on their wedding day. Picture: Supplied

Nineteen days after celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary with wife Lorraine, the former Chief Justice passed away in the Royal Darwin Hospital hospice surrounded by loved ones.

Ms Scutt said 60 years ago, the newlyweds moved to Alice Springs, thinking they would return to NSW in just five years.

Former Chief Justice Brian Frank Martin has died aged 86. Picture: Supplied

“They left Alice Spring for Darwin 17 years later, and Brian remained in Darwin for the rest of his life,” she said.

She said when her father arrived in Alice Springs in 1963 it was a two-solicitor town, with her father joining the only other practitioner, Ian Barker.

Far away from the eucalyptus forests of his home town in the Blue Mountains, Ms Scutt said her father fell in love with the red desert bush.

“He loved the ranges surrounding Alice Springs, saying ‘They’re always there, if I ever feel a bit down, let’s go for a walk in the hills and go prowling round the Larapinta Trail, out to Glen Helen’,” she said.

Brian Martin and wife Lorraine on their wedding day. Picture: Supplied

She said after opening his own practice in Alice Springs, Mr Martin took on a stint as the town’s Mayor.

Ms Scutt said the couple moved to Darwin in 1981, after her father became the Territory’s Solicitor-General.

He was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of the NT six years later, and served a ten-year term as Chief Justice from 1993 to 2003 before then serving as an acting judge from 2004 to 2009.

Former NT Chief Justice and Alice Springs mayor Brian Martin passed away on April 24, at Royal Darwin Hospital while surrounded by loved ones.

Ms Scutt said even away from the drama of court, her father had a love for theatrics.

She remembered seeing her parents dressed up to host their own murder-mystery dinners, and taking the children to charade nights at Justice William Kearney’s house.

“He and Gordon Ewin decided to have a community celebration by putting on the production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury,” she said.

“This led on to further productions and the establishment of the Alice Springs Musical Society.”

Ms Scutt said his passion for the arts led to his advocacy for an Alice Springs community arts centre, leading a group to establish the Araluen Arts Centre.

Former NT Chief Justice Brian Martin passed away on April 24, at Royal Darwin Hospital while surrounded by loved ones.

She said her father was also known in the home as a master chef on the barbecue and in the kitchen.

“He regularly baked and won prizes in the Alice Springs Show, beating many CWA ladies,” Ms Scutt said.

She said the Martin Sunday family lunches were a revered tradition, with friends always welcome to join the table.

Former NT Chief Justice Brian Martin had a love for theatrics even away from the drama of court.

“(But) these occasions also saw potential suiters for his children being vetted and often found wanting,” Ms Scutt said.

She said as their family grew, so too did the family lunches with ‘Grumps’ cooking for his four children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His death came just two days after the Territory legal community mourned the loss of 91-year-old former NT Supreme Court Justice John Nader.

During his years distributing justice, Nader was a member of the NT Court of Criminal Appeal that quashed convictions against Lindy and Michael Chamberlain after their daughter Azaria was taken by a dingo.

Former Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, Justice John Anthony Nader KC has died aged 91. Picture: Supplied

He was the chairman of the Criminal Code Review Committee from 1990 to 1992, and ranked as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Australia Army Legal Corps Reserve, served as a Judge Advocate at Courts Martial and was an honorary Colonel of the NT Cadet Corps.

Attorney-General Chansey Paech said the pair were two of the “Territory’s notable legal eagles”.

“My sincere condolences to the families and friends of these two men who served the Northern Territory community well throughout their careers,” he said.

Originally published as Former NT Justices John Nader and Brian Martin die aged 91 and 86