Michael Kirby receiving an
Honorary Doctorate in 2008

Former High Court Justice Michael Kirby has been appointed as a Distinguished Visiting Professor in UNSW Faculty of Law.

Michael Kirby, who stepped down from the nation's highest court earlier this year after 13 years on the bench, accepted an offer made by Vice-Chancellor Professor Fred Hilmer to take up the position in the Faculty of Law.

"I am thrilled to announce that Michael Kirby, Australia's longest serving judge, has accepted the University's offer of a Visiting Professorial Fellowship," said Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor David Dixon.

"Professor Kirby will contribute to the Faculty in a number of ways, including writing, teaching and mentoring. Students and staff will benefit from his wisdom and experience," Professor Dixon said.

Commenting on his appointment, Michael Kirby said he was delighted to accept the offer: "I have been coming to UNSW since the late 1950s and have watched its law school grow to one of world renown."

On 1 April Professor Kirby will join Professor Theunis Roux and Associate Professor Renata Uitz in a seminar entitled, 'Courts and Constitutional Change: South Africa, Hungary, Australia'. The seminar is hosted by the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Law and the Gilbert + Tobin Centre for Public Law in the Faculty of Law.

Information on the seminar, 'Courts and Constitutional Change: South Africa, Hungary, Australia'