Book launch - Law, Justice and Other Challenges: Selected Speeches and Papers of Michael Kirby

On 29 January 2026, in the Banco Court of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Sydney, Chief Justice Stephen Gageler, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, launched a new book by Michael Kirby. The book is titled Law, Justice and Other Challenges: Selected Speeches and Papers of Michael Kirby. The book comprises of 55 chapters. 

 

The Master of Ceremonies for the launch was the Hon. Chief Justice Andrew Bell AC, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Also present at the launch was Her Excellency, the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia and His Excellency, Mr Simeon Beckett SC.  In 1988, Sam Mostyn was an associate to Michael Kirby, then President of the Court of Appeal of NSW.  Dr Paul Vout KC, editor of the book, was also an associate in 1991. 

 

All of the chapters were speeches or articles earlier delivered by Michael Kirby.  Only one chapter, the last, which is about his partner and spouse, Johan van Vloten, was written specially for the book. Many of the chapters are published elsewhere.  However, the collection gathers together many essays that describe Michael Kirby’s life as a judge, human rights advocate and UN official, academic writer and expert in many sections of society.  Chief Justice Gageler points out, in his launch speech, that an earlier book about the author was launched in 2009, Ian Freckelton and Hugh Selby, Appealing to the Future: Michael Kirby and his Legacy (Thomson Reuters, 2009). 

 

The new book is readable and covers a large part of the life and work of Michael Kirby outside the courts. The book is on sale for the recommended price of $180 (discounts available to students). It is available for purchase online at info@federationpress.com.au; tel: 9552 2200.