The de Jersey Scholarship

This biography has been prepared by UQLA Director Georgina Morgan.

The Honourable Paul de Jersey AC CVO KC’s career is best characterised as a lifetime of distinguished service to the people of Queensland. Given this, the UQLA is proud to announce that a new scholarship will be named in Mr de Jersey’s honour.

Mr de Jersey was born in Brisbane in 1948, the third son of schoolteacher parents Ronald and Moya de Jersey. He spent much of his childhood in regional Queensland, living at Lowood, Coolabunia, Maryborough, Longreach and Ipswich. He then attended Ithaca Creek State School, before attending high school at the Church of England Grammar School.

Mr de Jersey studied at UQ as a recipient of a Commonwealth Scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (with honours) in 1971. 1971 was clearly a momentous year for Mr de Jersey as not only did he graduate from university and join the Bar, but he also married his wife, Kaye, in that same year. Whilst at UQ, Mr de Jersey also served in Queensland University Regiment.

After graduating from UQ, Mr de Jersey practised at the private bar in Queensland. He took silk in 1981, after only a decade in practice. He was known for his leading commercial practice. He appeared before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and appeared in leading constitutional cases before the High Court of Australia including, but certainly not limited to, cases such asKoowarta v Bjelke-Peterson (1982) 153 CLR 168.

In 1985, Mr de Jersey was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland, joining the bench at the very young age of 36 years old. He first served as the Commercial Causes Judge and then sat on the Mental Health Tribunal from 1994 to 1996. He was then appointed the President of the Queensland Industrial Court and was appointed Chief Justice in 1998. Being appointed as Chief Justice at the age of 50, Mr de Jersey was the second youngest person to hold this illustrious position. He served as Chief Justice for 16 years.

The call to serve the people of Queensland came again, and between 2014 and 2021 Mr de Jersey served as the 26th Governor of Queensland. The following year, Mr de Jersey was appointed as a Judge of Appeal of the Kingdom of Tonga.

Since 2000, Mr de Jersey has been a Companion of the Order of Australia and since 2021, a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. In addition to his degrees from UQ, he holds Honorary Doctorates from USQ (2008) and Griffith University as well as UQ (2000).

Mr de Jersey has often remarked on his great affection for UQ, and has often returned to speak to students on occasions such as Orientation Week and celebrations for the Pro Bono Centre. Mr de Jersey often encourages attendees to foster their interests beyond the legal sphere, and encourages participation in pro bono work. Indeed, at an address to students in their first week of law school in February 2002 he told the crowd to ensure they engage in interests outside the law, stating that the best lawyers are never boring! He lives this advice as evidenced in his work in promoting cancer research and support for victims and their loved ones, and his involvement in community organisations. Mr de Jersey was the vice-president and then the president of the Australian Cancer Society between 1995-2001 and the Chairman of the Queensland Cancer Fund. He was also a member of the Churchie School Council from 1990 to 1997, and is a proud alumnus of Churchie, where he attended from 1961 to 1965. In 2023 he returned to the Churchie School Council to serve as Chairman. He was the Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane from 1991 to 2014 and is now Chancellor Emeritus. Mr de Jersey is also the President of the Episcopal Standards Board of the National Church.

Mr de Jersey has contributed significantly to both the legal profession of Queensland and the community more broadly, and the UQLA is proud to celebrate this distinguished career with the naming of a scholarship in Mr de Jersey’s honour.