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Canberra, Wednesday 20 March 2002
Do the courts take account of public opinion?
The Honourable Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE, former Chief Justice of the High
Court of Australia, will present an informative lecture on the Courts and
Public Opinion for The Australian National University's (ANU) National Institute
of Government and Law at Parliament House tomorrow.
Sir Anthony has been a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at ANU since 2000.
During the lecture he will consider the increasing attention the courts
are now giving to the importance of maintaining public confidence in the
administration of justice.
"It is important to address such questions as, do the courts take account
of public opinion in the making of decisions and, if so, to what extent
and in what manner?" Sir Anthony said.
Judges are well aware that the rule of law rests on public confidence in
the courts, and are therefore conscious of public opinion as well as criticism
of their judgements.
“But judges must also have regard for legal tradition and their own
detailed access to the facts of any case before them.
“This is particularly so in matters of sentencing of persons convicted
of offences and in other contentious areas of the law,” Sir Anthony
maintains.
Sir Anthony's lecture will also touch on criticism of the courts, particularly
if used for political advantage.
When: 11am to 12pm, Wednesday 20 March
Where: Representatives' Alcove, Parliament House, Canberra
For more information contact Christine Debono on (02) 6125 2214 (christine.debono@anu.edu.au)
or Genevieve Turville on (02) 6125 5575 or 0416 249 245.
36/2002
© 2000 Marketing & Communications Division,
The Australian National University.
Questions or Comments?
Last Modified Tue, July 16, 2002
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