Deakin to award former Justice of the High Court Michael Kirby honorary doctorate

Influential former Justice of the High Court, the Honourable Michael Kirby AC, CMG will be awarded an honorary doctorate by Deakin University at its graduation ceremoniesin October.

The degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) will be awarded in recognition of distinguished services to the Australian community.

Professor Kirby was Australia's longest serving judge, before his retirement from the High Court of Australia in 2009. He was appointed as an Adjunct Professor to Deakin's Law School in 2009.

Among his many achievements, Professor Kirby was the inaugural chairman of the Australian Law Reform Commission and has served in many international and United Nations positions.

In 2010, he was awarded the Gruber Justice Prize. He is also presently a member of the Eminent Persons Group which is investigating the future of the Commonwealth of Nations; and has been appointed to the UNDP Global Commission of HIV and the Law.

In 2010, he was appointed to the Arbitration Panel of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (World Bank).

"I am honoured to accept the invitation from your Chancellor for an honorary doctorate," Professor Kirby said.

"My appointment as Adjunct Professor has allowed me to develop close links with the School of Law, its Faculty and students.

"I look forward as a member of the university to expanding and deepening these connections."

Deakin University's Acting Head of the School of Law, Dr Julie Clarke, said Michael Kirby has long been supporter of the School of Law and an inspiration to its students and staff.

"He has delivered a Deakin Law School Oration and several occasional addresses to staff and students and has worked collaboratively with researchers within the School," she said.

Dr Clarke said a feature of Professor Kirby's association with Deakin has been the exceptional generosity and commitment he has shown when communicating to future generations of lawyers lessons from his experience and insights from the High Court bench and the other positions he has occupied.

"As a result, his visits to the Law School are always enthusiastically received by staff and students," she said.

"The Law School looks forward to continuing our relationship with him in the future and are very proud that he will be joining the Deakin family as an Honorary alumnus."