World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Michael Kirby reflects on his High Court career and plain-English judgments
Former High Court justice Michael Kirby is still widely recognised by students and legal practitioners for his judgments.
He served on Australia’s High Court from 1996 to 2009 and retired from the bench that year.
Kirby became known for clear, plain-English writing, often using short sentences to explain the law.
He also frequently wrote separately from his fellow judges and dissented on issues including civil liberties and human rights.
His decisions challenged government policy, including rulings on prisoners’ voting rights and the detention of a stateless migrant.
Kirby says he does not get carried away by his popularity, though a musical based on his life is being developed.
He is in Melbourne to deliver an annual public address for the Brotherhood of St. Laurence.
Michael Kirby served on Australia’s High Court from 1996 to 2009 and is remembered for clear, plain-English judgments.
He says short sentences can make legal writing easier to understand.
Kirby often dissented, particularly on civil liberties and human rights cases.
His rulings drew criticism from then-prime minister John Howard, who opposed what he called judicial activism.
At 87, Kirby remains in demand as an arbitrator and speaker and is in Melbourne to deliver an annual oration.
- Who
- Michael Kirby, a former High Court justice.
- What
- He reflected on his career, his plain-English judgments and his dissenting opinions.
- When
- The article was published on October 28, 2026; the interview took place ahead of an annual oration.
- Where
- Melbourne, at Streat cafe in Collingwood.
- Why
- Kirby was in Melbourne to deliver the Brotherhood of St. Laurence’s annual Sambell Oration.
Michael Kirby
John Howard
Judicial role
Michael Kirby
Kirby defended judges’ right to interpret laws in light of changing social values.
John Howard
Howard criticised what he called judicial activism and urged judges to apply the law rather than address fundamental values.
Kirby served on the High Court.
Kirby retired from the High Court bench.
The SMH published its interview with Kirby, who was in Melbourne ahead of delivering the Brotherhood of St. Laurence’s annual Sambell Oration.
- High Court service
- 1996 to 2009
- Retirement from the bench
- 2009
- Age
- 87
- Interview location
- Streat cafe, Collingwood
- Upcoming event
- Brotherhood of St. Laurence’s annual Sambell Oration
What people are saying
You can make things easier to understand if you write in short sentences
Everywhere I go, they want to go up and tell me they learned their law through my opinions
You’ve got to have some good tunes