Archive
Category: Judicial Quotations
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Not one to be looked to in an emergency
“I suppose the wife communicated the proposition and her misery in some way to her husband (what passed was not and could not be given in evidence); but at all events, the effect on the man was simply stupefying. He is, I judge, a slow-witted man: if not exactly stupid, certainly not one to be… Read more →
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Selfless dedication
Lord Grabiner advances this argument with some force. He says that any other view is heresy and that he is incontrovertibly correct. Indeed he goes as far as to say that he is prepared to go to the stake on this point. One cannot but be impressed by this level of selfless dedication to his… Read more →
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Swiftly dismissed
A recent copyright claim brought by an American composer against Taylor Swift was dismissed in terms that might be recognisable to the defendant. The claim alleged that Ms Swift had incorporated a 22-word phrase into the lyrics for “Shake It Off”. Dismissing the claim, the judge commented: “At present, the Court is not saying that… Read more →
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A wayward Chevy struck a tree
Aspiring poet-judges take note, for this is possibly the best (or worst) example of judicial prose in the brief history of the genre. A wayward Chevy struck a tree Whose owner sued defendants three. He sued car’s owner, driver, too, And insurer for what was due For his oak tree that now may bear A… Read more →
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Order me a pizza, mate
Daubney J shows considerable fortitude and patience in dealing with this self-represented criminal accused on the first day of a trial for attempted murder. The transcript contains some very strong language and is not for the faint of heart. At one point the accused sarcastically suggests that the judge order him a pizza. Some redacted… Read more →
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Free choice and compulsion
The Chief Justice starts to speculate about philosophy with characteristic dry wit. Then comes a classic dodge, if ever there was one, from Mr Tehan QC. GLEESON CJ: What do you mean by “free choice”? TEHAN QC: What we mean by “free choice”, your Honour, is a choice unconstrained by any pressure, hope of advantage… Read more →
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The Lesson
Two High Court justices give a self-represented litigant a lesson in constitutional interpretation. GAUDRON J: Now, would you like to read section 80 of the Constitution, Mr Wilson? MR WILSON: Read section 80? GAUDRON J: Yes, that is what – and see exactly what it relates to. MR WILSON: I will read section 80 of… Read more →
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The Dictator
When the self-represented litigant accuses Gummow J of being a dictator, you know the special leave application is not going well. With thanks to Duncan for the reference. MR WILSON: Down in Canberra they have erect the Magna Carta monument. Have you been to see it? You will not answer? Mr Callinan, have you seen… Read more →
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A Rock and an Island
When in doubt, refer to pop music lyrics: semantically illuminating and it demonstrates judicial hipness: The Government argued that the Notty was in international waters or on the “high seas” because “Saint Vincent Rock is a rock. If it was an island, it would be called Saint Vincent Island, not Saint Vincent Rock.” Ultimately, we… Read more →
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Physical activity
His Honour is not a sportsman, evidently: “Whilst all reasonable people know that any form of physical activity is both unpleasant and dangerous, and probably unhealthy as well; and whilst sport, which is communal physical activity, suffers the added feature of exposing its participants to the perils of tribal barbarism; nonetheless the law has never… Read more →