Ian Callinan

Justice Ian David Francis Callinan (1937- ) QC AC is a Justice of the High Court of Australia; the highest court in the Australian court hierarchy.

Education

Born in Casino, New South Wales, he recieved an LLB from the University of Queensland.

Judicial Activity

Callinan was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1960 and a barrister in 1965. He was appointed as a Queen's Counsel (QC) in 1978. He was President of the Queensland Bar Association 1984 - 1987 and President of the Australian Bar Association 1984 - 1985.

He has been involved in a number of prominent cases such as the prosecution of High Court justice Lionel Murphy.

Widely regarded for his legal abilities, he is also regarded as somewhat of a political and judicial conservative.

He was appointed as a justice of the High Court in February 1998, a position he still holds. Under the Australian Constitution he must retire from the High Court by 2007 when he will be 70.

Other activities

Callinan is well know for having written numerous novels and plays. He was Chairman of trustees of the Queenslan Art Gallery.

Honours

• He received Australia's highest civil honour when he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2003.