Peter McClellan
Encyclopedia
Peter David McClellan, AM
, is the Chief Judge at Common Law of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
, the highest court in the State of New South Wales
, Australia
, which forms part of the Australian court hierarchy
. He was appointed to the position in 2005.
McClellan received his secondary school education at Normanhurst Boys' High School. Fellow Supreme Court Justice Ian Harrison (who also attended the school) said that "that school was instrumental in assisting your Honour to overcome adolescent difficulties you had with low esteem, lack of confidence and self doubt". McClellan later studied Arts and Law at the University of Sydney
.
McClellan was admitted to practise law in 1975, and was later called to the Bar
. In 1984-1985 he held the role of Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into British nuclear tests in Australia
. Also that year, he was appointed Queen's Counsel
.
In 1998, McClellan was the Chairman of the Sydney Water Inquiry
.
On 29 January 2001, McClellan was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
.
From 25 August 2003, McClellan was the Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales
, leaving this role on 1 September 2005 due to his re-appointment to the Supreme Court.
McClellan has also worked as an Assistant Commissioner at the Independent Commission Against Corruption and as an Acting Judge of the District Court of New South Wales
. In addition, he has held the position of New South Wales President of the National Environmental Law Association.
In the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours List
, McClellan was made a Member of the Order of Australia
, "for service to the judiciary through the Supreme Court of New South Wales, to environmental law, and to legal education".
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, is the Chief Judge at Common Law of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
Supreme Court of New South Wales
The Supreme Court of New South Wales is the highest state court of the Australian State of New South Wales...
, the highest court in the State of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, which forms part of the Australian court hierarchy
Australian court hierarchy
There are two streams within the hierarchy of Australian courts, the federal stream and the state and territory stream. While the federal courts and the court systems in each state and territory are separate, the High Court of Australia remains the ultimate court of appeal for the Australian...
. He was appointed to the position in 2005.
McClellan received his secondary school education at Normanhurst Boys' High School. Fellow Supreme Court Justice Ian Harrison (who also attended the school) said that "that school was instrumental in assisting your Honour to overcome adolescent difficulties you had with low esteem, lack of confidence and self doubt". McClellan later studied Arts and Law at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
.
McClellan was admitted to practise law in 1975, and was later called to the Bar
Call to the bar
The Call to the Bar is a legal term of art in most common law jurisdictions where persons must be qualified to be allowed to argue in court on behalf of another party, and are then said to have been "called to the bar" or to have received a "call to the bar"...
. In 1984-1985 he held the role of Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into British nuclear tests in Australia
McClelland Royal Commission
The McClelland Royal Commission or Royal Commission into British nuclear tests in Australia was an inquiry by the Australian government in 1984-1985 to investigate the conduct of the British in its use, with the then Australian government's permission, of Australian territory and soldiers for...
. Also that year, he was appointed Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
.
In 1998, McClellan was the Chairman of the Sydney Water Inquiry
1998 Sydney water crisis
The 1998 Sydney water crisis involved the supposed contamination of Sydney's main water supply, the Warragamba Dam, by the microscopic pathogens cryptosporidium and giardia between July and September 1998....
.
On 29 January 2001, McClellan was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
Supreme Court of New South Wales
The Supreme Court of New South Wales is the highest state court of the Australian State of New South Wales...
.
From 25 August 2003, McClellan was the Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales
Land and Environment Court of New South Wales
The Land and Environment Court of New South Wales is a Court established by legislation giving it exclusive jurisdiction to determine environmental, development, building and planning disputes...
, leaving this role on 1 September 2005 due to his re-appointment to the Supreme Court.
McClellan has also worked as an Assistant Commissioner at the Independent Commission Against Corruption and as an Acting Judge of the District Court of New South Wales
District Court of New South Wales
The District Court of New South Wales has jurisdiction to hear most indictable offences . It hears appeals from the Local Court and civil claims up to A$750 000. In some circumstances the amount may be higher, e.g. with the consent of the parties or in motor accident claims etc...
. In addition, he has held the position of New South Wales President of the National Environmental Law Association.
In the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours List
Queen's Birthday Honours
The Queen's Birthday Honours is a part of the British honours system, being a civic occasion on the celebration of the Queen's Official Birthday in which new members of most Commonwealth Realms honours are named. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch or head of state, currently Queen...
, McClellan was made a Member of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, "for service to the judiciary through the Supreme Court of New South Wales, to environmental law, and to legal education".