Traffic engineers were among the many people who retiring District Court Judge Everson thanked at his valedictory ceremony in Brisbane this week.
Appointed in April 2008 as a Judge of the Planning and Environment Court and Childrens Court of Queensland, His Honour acknowledged the quiet achievers at Banco Court on Monday, 8 December.
“I’m honoured and humbled by this valedictory ceremony, but I wish to acknowledge those who work tirelessly in the criminal justice system, who do not receive such compliments, and who richly deserve recognition and support,” Judge Everson said.
“They include the police who dedicate themselves to the safety of the community, and the select few of them who investigate the crimes committed against children, the social workers and other professionals who assist the victims and the perpetrators alike.
“I enjoyed my work as a legal practitioner, firstly as a solicitor, then as a barrister.
“I acknowledge the contributions of the extended planning and environment law community, including all the expert witnesses who regularly give evidence in the jurisdiction.
“I wish to expressly thank the traffic engineers because no one else does,” he said to much laughter from the bench.
“As judges, we cannot do our work without a dedicated team of support staff.”
Judge Everson said mentoring had provided him with immense satisfaction.
“Without doubt, the best part of the job has been mentoring my associates,” he said.
“It has been a privilege to mentor so many bright, talented law graduates and watch them grow into outstanding young professionals.
“Those past associates who are able to attend are seated in the second row and others are watching remotely.”
He said also watching remotely were friends from the Coolum Surf Club and my ocean swimming group, the 79ers.
“Thank you for taking the time to watch me in a different context. The judicial robes must be as confronting for you as me and budgie smugglers will be to many of you in this courtroom,” he said to more laughter.
His Honour acknowledged his supportive family.
“My appointment to this court brought with it challenges for our young family,” he said.
“Firstly, there was relocating to Cairns, and then for a while, while Lucinda and Emily were in boarding school, we lived in three separate places during the week.
“It was less than ideal from a parenting perspective, but it appears that it all worked out in the end.”
Queensland Law Society President Genevieve Dee said when His Honour commenced his time in Cairns, he noted the Planning and Environment Court was a busy, but that the local practitioners were to be commended for their hard work and approach.
“We understand there was mutual admiration in this respect,” Genevieve said.
“Over the years, Law Society members have noted the importance your Honour has placed on fast justice.
“Many Queenslanders have benefited from your Honour’s approach and its impact on an efficient and effective justice system.
“Your decisions were reasoned, not rushed; and every judgment reflected a deep respect for the rule of law andthe individuals whose futures depended on it.
“The legal community has also benefited from the manner in which your Honour dealt with advocates appearing before you – it is said your Honour frequently brought out the best in them.
“You expected preparation, precision, and respect, and in return, you gave the same. Many practitioners noted they left your courtroom better lawyers than when they walked in.”
She said that during His Honour’s 18 years on the Bench, his reputation had been built on three enduring qualities: fairness, clarity, and civility.
“Practitioners knew that in your courtroom the law would be applied with rigor and with humanity; that each party would be heard; and that reasons would be expressed with a plain‑spoken precision that illuminated rather than obscured,” the Society President said.
“It is no small achievement that Your Honour wrote reasons that endure. Your Honour has been known to reference classic Australian INXS lyrics in your judgments.”
His Honour Chief Judge Devereaux SC said the court was celebrating Judge Everson’s great contribution to the District Court and the Planning and Environment Court of Queensland, while also mourning his honour’s imminent departure.
“Given the importance of a Judge’s Associate, I acknowledge, or should I say give a shout-out to, a significant number of Judge Everson’s associates,” he said.
“Young people who are no doubt living out the lessons of the time with their judge.”
Chief Judge Devereaux recalled his own experience when appearing before Judge Everson in 2008, not long after his appointment, on an appeal regarding an animal cruelty matter.
“It was heard on a Monday. On the Friday of that week, His Honour delivered judgment,” the Chief Judge said.
“Now, this case did not have the great complexity of many of the planning appeals His Honour would come to hear and decide, but there were steps to go through, and it was an area of law surely unfamiliar to the new judge.
“The judgment was a model of clarity and brevity, a complete set of reasons in just over seven pages, double spaced, counting the cover page.
“His Honour has served busily the District Court and the P&E Court in that way for more than 17 years.”
The Chief Judge said like other P&E Court judges, Judge Everson had contributed to the development of the profession, particularly through the Queensland Environmental Law Association’s activities.
“Judges’ papers delivered to such seminars show the same elegance and clarity as the appeal judgment I’ve mentioned,” he said. “But also an appropriate willingness to challenge and question the way things are done.
“Fortunately, despite retirement from the court, all is not lost.
“Judge Everson will back up his recent years’ performances as master of ceremonies and moderator of the annual QELA trivia competition.
“In the meantime, Judge will no doubt continue to swim for kilometres in the ocean off Coolum Beach or from the Noosa Surf Club around to Tea Tree Bay.”
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