The Kiefel Scholarship - The Hon Susan Mary Kiefel AC KC

This biography has been prepared by Jane Menzies, one of Chief Justice Kiefel’s former associates.

The career of the Honourable Susan Mary Kiefel AC KC, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, is a triumphant example of the heights that may be reached through a combination of sharp intellect, a fierce work ethic, grace under pressure, and gritty determination. All the while, her Honour nurtured the careers of legal practitioners, with an emphasis on supporting women and those from diverse backgrounds. The Kiefel Scholarship continues her Honour’s legacy into her retirement from the bench.

During the ceremonial sitting to mark her Honour’s retirement in 2023, the Chief Justice noted descriptions by others of her journey to a life in the law as being of interest because it was ‘unusual’. While she described it rather more plainly as her simply making the way as best she could, her Honour nonetheless said the ceremonial sitting to mark her retirement that she was pleased if her experience had encouraged others to aspire to being a lawyer. As one of her Honour’s former Associates, I can attest to being one of many so encouraged and inspired.

Aside from being unorthodox, her Honour’s story is of interest because of its relatability. It is one of humble origin; her Honour’s birth in Cairns in 1954 and an education in the Queensland public school system. The story culminates much later in her appointment as the 13th Chief Justice of the highest court in Australia; the first woman to hold the position. That call came after more than 23 years of service to the judiciary initially on the bench of the Supreme Court of Queensland. That had been followed by 13 years as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia (during which time she was also appointed to the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island), and then over nine years as a High Court Justice.

Chief Justice Kiefel’s appointment on 30 January 2017 was roundly celebrated, though one might be forgiven for failing to predict it 50 years earlier when her Honour left Sandgate State High School at the tender age of 15.

In the years after leaving school, her Honour obtained work as a legal secretary. In that role, she observed Queensland barristers in practice and decided to try her hand at the profession. While continuing to work fulltime, she studied for the Barrister’s Admission Board at night.

She was called to the Queensland Bar in 1975 at just 21, the then minimum age. She became one of only three female barristers at the time. Little effort is required to imagine institutional barriers to success. Some of the colourful anecdotes about overcoming those barriers have entertained during her Honour’s speeches over the years. Never one to wilt in the face of a challenge, her Honour thrived and in 1987 became the first woman to take silk in Queensland. She was appointed to the Supreme Court of Queensland six years later.

By her retirement in 2023, Chief Justice Kiefel had been a judge for more than 30 years – a remarkable period of service. She found time along the way to also serve as a Commissioner of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, and on the Australian Law Reform Commission.

Plaudits naturally follow such a distinguished career. In 2011, Chief Justice Kiefel was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the law and to the judiciary, law reform and legal education in the areas of ethics, justice and governance. Her Honour was elected a titular member of the International Academy of Comparative Law in 2013, and the following year was elected an Honorary Bencher of the Honourable Society of Gray's Inn. Several honorary doctorates have also been conferred, including by The University of Queensland (2009).

Her Honour’s appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court was an important moment in Australian legal history. The ceremony on the occasion of her swearing-in was a moving experience, with the Honourable Virginia Bell AC – as the most senior puisne Justice – inviting Chief Justice Kiefel to take the Oath of Allegiance and of Office. Never before had two female Justices prevailed over such an occasion. The historic moment was one to cause a lump in the throat.

During her Honour’s tenure as Chief Justice, women continued to be appointed and there was a period, albeit brief, on the Court where the majority of its members were women. At the ceremonial sitting to mark her Honour’s retirement, the Attorney‑General for the Commonwealth aptly described her Honour as having, with every step, paved the way forward for other individuals with diverse experiences and backgrounds to follow in her footsteps in establishing a career in law.

Throughout her time as a judge, her Honour nurtured the careers of numerous legal practitioners, with an emphasis on supporting women, culturally and linguistically diverse colleagues, and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. In particular, the Chief Justice made an invaluable contribution to the careers of the 45 Associates and five Legal Research Officers who worked alongside her, nearly all of whom travelled to Canberra to celebrate her Honour’s retirement. Such a turnout bore testament to the loyalty our Judge has always shown us, to the huge impact she has had on us all, and to the highest esteem in which we hold her.

To thank her Honour and to honour her service to us and Australian society, the community of former Associates together established the UQLA Kiefel Scholarship. Inspiration for the retirement gift was her Honour’s own legal education, which first included university studies only after ten years as a barrister and was self-funded. Her Honour took a sabbatical year from her practice to study for a Master of Laws at the University of Cambridge. Her Honour embraced university life, rowing in a crew for her college and distinguishing herself academically. She was awarded the Jennings Prize and the CJ Hamson Prize for outstanding performance in Comparative Law. As anyone who knows her Honour will appreciate, the year at Cambridge was formative. It is full of treasured memories and a source of pride.

To give others from similar humble beginnings an opportunity to access outstanding tertiary legal education, the Kiefel Scholarship was established in 2024. The Scholarship is a fitting way to continue her Honour’s rich legacy of encouraging those of diverse backgrounds to make their own way in the law.