UQ hosts visit by senior British judge

One of Britain’s most senior judges, the Rt Hon Lord Peter Millett, is visiting Australia to give a series of three free public lectures in the Banco Court in Brisbane, on March 6, 7 and 9, 2006.

Lord Millett is a former Lord of Appeal in Ordinary who continues to sit on the Hong Kong Court of Appeal. His visit is being hosted by the TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland.

He is experienced in travelling the world to deliver lectures which encompass his expertise in law and personal anecdotes of his time as one of the most powerful lawmakers in Britain.

Lord Millett will deliver lectures entitled Theft of Identity (March 6), Villainy in Venice (March 7) and Circular Money Movements (March 9).

He is an expert in restitution and commercial law and has delivered leading judgments in cases including Foskett v McKeown and Twinsectra Ltd v Yardley. Throughout his time as a senior judge in Britain, Lord Millett has presided over some headline-making cases.

He was one of the seven law lords who deliberated on the Pinochet extradition case, where he ruled against the Chilean dictator, who was held to have committed human rights abuses. Lord Millett’s judgment was considered to be one of the most progressive in the case, particularly for a judge whose acknowledged expertise lies in commercial law rather than in international law.

Lord Millett will be delivering the lecture as part of the TC Beirne School of Law’s Inaugural Annual McPherson Lecture Series, a new initiative which hosts a high profile guest speaker on a private law theme each year. It is named in honour of University of Queensland alumnus and Queensland Court of Appeal judge, the Hon. Justice Bruce H McPherson CBE.

The Head of UQ`s TC Beirne School of Law, Professor Charles Rickett, is enthusiastic about the series’ inaugural speaker.

“Lord Millett has had a profound effect on the development of the private law and it is both exciting and fitting that he should be the one to deliver the inaugural McPherson Lectures,” he said.

The lectures are part of a new approach to research at the TC Beirne School of Law, which has seen the School commandeer several new seminar and conference programs.

For details on Lord Millett’s series of lectures and corporate breakfast, contact Professor Ross Grantham or Ms Trisha Barbour at the Research Office, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland. Registrations must be received by March 2, 2006.

TC Beirne School of Law Research Office: telephone (07) 3365 8597; email t.barbour@law.uq.edu.au

Details and Registration: www.law.uq.edu.au/mcpherson