Retiring Justice Glenn Martin AM displayed his renowned wit during his valedictory ceremony as the Banco Court rang with laughter to tales of his first appearance in Toowoomba Magistrates Court and requests for more flattering comments.
The Senior Judge Administrator, who will retire at the end of this month from the Supreme Court, served the Court for more than 18 years, including seven years as the President of the Industrial Court of Queensland.
The Honourable Chief Justice Bowskill joined the chorus of compliments at the 10 December sitting, thanking His Honour for the support he had given her from her first day in the role.
“Preparing my words today involved some procrastination because it is extremely hard to put into words the enormous contribution that Justice Martin has made to the Court, to the judiciary, locally, nationally and internationally to the profession and in all of those ways to the community,” Her Honour said.
“It is equally hard to find adequate words to convey our gratitude.
“He was the first person to walk into my chambers to congratulate me and has been a constant and steady source of wisdom, advice, support, collegiality and good humour.
“Every day since I am eternally grateful to have had the benefit of working with Justice Martin as the Senior Judge Administrator.
“Since we both took on our respective roles in March 2022, Justice Martin has also been a source of wise counsel for previous chief justices, a mentor to countless judges.
“A trusted colleague and friend, the judges shop steward. This institution’s greatest champion, an invaluable source of knowledge and understanding about the inner workings of courts. Not just here, but around the country. And of course, a ready source of sharp and witty, sometimes even wicked quips just when they are needed most.”
Chief Justice Bowskill said his significant service to the law and to the community of Queensland was recognised in 2013 when he was appointed a member of the Order of Australia.
“That was 12 years ago. He has only gained momentum since then,” Her Honour said.
“What all of that means is that we, the judges of this court and our registry, our colleagues on the other courts and tribunals in Queensland, the profession and the Queensland community have all been the beneficiaries of someone with unparalleled knowledge, experience, expertise, energy, dedication and enthusiasm.
“It is seriously hard to imagine anyone who could have given more in that regard than Justice Glenn Martin.
“Trust and confidence in the institution of the courts is imperative to our legitimacy. Justice Martin has committed himself for the entirety of his legal and judicial career to the maintenance, support and development of that trust and confidence. We are all eternally grateful to him for that.”
Queensland Law Society President Genevieve Dee also referenced His Honour’s sense of humour during her final presidential speech.
“When courts run smoothly, the legal profession and the wider public benefit from that efficiency. It is a critical role and one you have undertaken with distinction,” Genevieve said.
“Beyond the law, those who know you speak of your generosity of spirit, your sharp wit, and your ability to bring people together.
“I am reliably informed Your Honour’s Chambers were always a warm and lively place. One of your recent Associates shared a story of being tasked to determine what role, if any, an Associate might play when contempt is committed in the face of the Court.
“Could an Associate arrest the contemptor? If they could, did that power derive from the historical practice of Associates also being appointed Deputy Sheriffs?
“I’m told that sadly, the answer was disappointingly clear: there was very little modern use for an Associate to hold the title Deputy Sheriff.
“Your Honour has apparently, ever since, jokingly blamed that Associate for destroying the hopes and dreams of young Queenslanders who might otherwise have enjoyed the thrill of being appointed as Deputy Sheriffs upon becoming Associates.”
Justice Martin thanked his 18 Associates of which most were in the court, three online from England and one in Europe.
“He’s looking after the Germans for me,” His Honour joked.
“Without clever and industrious Associates, the job of a judge would be intolerable. All of mine have fallen comfortably into that category,” he said.
“I mean clever and industrious, not intolerable. They were all of great assistance and made sure my judgments obeyed most of the rules of grammar and very importantly, and some of them know this, they knew which lift to take to which courtroom.
“That’s a skill I have not yet mastered, having only been in this building 13 years.”
He also thanked the Chief Justice for her kind remarks along with the speakers including Bar Association of Queensland President Catherine Heyworth-Smith KC.
“Retiring judges sometimes say that they are embarrassed by these encomiums,” he said. “I disagree. There should be more of these pre-death eulogies.
“In fact, if I have a complaint to make, it is this. As people have become aware that I was retiring, I’ve had many conversations with members of the profession, other judges, people in the courthouse and so on.
“And there has not been one occasion when any of them have said ‘You’re retiring, but you don’t look 70’.
“That reminds me, Miss Heyworth Smith, of another enduring responsibility of the Bar that is to flatter judges without restraint and without compunction. It is a duty which continues at least until midnight on the day of retirement, and today of all days is a day.
“And too much flattery is barely enough.”
Along with the light-hearted banter, His Honour decided to offer some advice as part of his commitment to follow the formula of valedictory speeches.
“The second usual aspect of these speeches is some message to the barbs, some kind, perhaps advice,” he said.
“I have one for those who have recently joined the profession. Pay close attention to the person you are appearing before.”
He then described his first case in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court where his client was charged with possession of six cannabis seeds.
“I know what you’re thinking. Yes, I was getting the big briefs early on,” His Honour said.
“Things did not start well that day. My client arrived very late. He rushed into the courtroom and upended a bundle of folders onto the bar table. Each of them was covered with stickers demanding the legalisation of marijuana.
“My poorly developed forensic antenna did tell me that was probably not wise. That was cleaned up.
“He was also the sort of person who was incapable of whispering or even speaking softly. He also unfortunately, had an ill-fitting dental plate during the hearing when he talked to me, he would get close to my ear. His instructions were both loud and moist.”
His Honour realised the facts were not on their side and decided the law was their only hope, and he went on to espouse the concept of possession in Roman law before realising that debate was perhaps not worthy of the occasion.
“Perhaps not, but I knew that I’d lost him. It was a subtle sign. He stood up, walked off the bench, opened a window at the back wall of the courtroom and started a conversation with the gardener,” he said.
“I took that as a hint. I wrapped things up quickly at that moment and conviction followed just as quickly. Always watch the judge.”
His Honour said although retirement was a statutory requirement, there were sometimes signs to call it a day.
“Sometimes things happen, which suggests that it is the right time to go,” he said. “And for me it was when I discovered that the Court’s most recent and welcome appointee was born in the same year I was admitted to practice, it’s time to go.”
Christmas Greetings were also exchanged by the speakers at the sitting along with the presentation of King’s Counsel. The Crown Law Choir performed in the Banco Court foyer, with funds raised going to the Salvation Army.
The following barristers were appointed King’s Counsel this year: Gregory McGuire, Carla Klease, Laura Reece, Michael Alexander, Benjamin McMillan, James O’Regan, Michael Trim, Jane FitzGerald, Philippa Ahern, Patrick Wilson, Andrew O’Brien and Claire Grant.
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