Selden Society 2023 lecture series: lecture four - Sir Charles Lilley and the Grimley Affair

Selden Society 2023 lecture series: lecture four

Sir Charles Lilley and the Grimley Affair

Presented by Dr Sarah McKibbin

Thursday 7 September
5.15 for 5.30pm
Banco Court, Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law

Level 3, 415 George Street, Brisbane
(Or join the livestream via Zoom.)

Sir Charles Lilley (1827–97) was a towering figure in politics and law in colonial Queensland, but his final years were dogged by controversy.

In October 1892, Sir Charles announced his intention to resign as second Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland (1879–93). The catalyst was his behaviour throughout the 57-day civil trial of Queensland Investment and Land Mortgage Co Ltd v Grimley. Leading up to his resignation, Sir Charles increasingly eschewed norms of judicial detachment. Grimley was the final straw.

This lecture examines the Grimley affair and considers the extent to which, along with his behaviour in other proceedings of the time, it brought into question Sir Charles’ ethics as a judge.

Dr Sarah McKibbin is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba, where she teaches, researches and publishes in legal history and private international law. Dr McKibbin is the lead author of A Legal History for Australia (Hart Publishing, 2021).

Join us for refreshments in the Portrait Gallery after the lecture.

Register to attend this free lecture in person—please bring your ticket for quick check-in.

We will also be livestreaming the lecture: register to join this lecture via Zoom.

CPD points: 1 point per hour, self-assessed (BAQ and QLS)

For more information:

• visit sclqld.org.au/selden
• phone 1300 SCLQLD (1300 725 753)