3 June 2015
Press Release

The Court notes with sadness the recent passing, in the United Kingdom, of Sir Kenneth Jacobs KBE, who served as a Justice of the Court from 1974 to 1979.  Sir Kenneth, who was born in Sydney in 1917, graduated from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1938, served with the Australian Imperial Forces during the Second World War and on his return to Australia graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours and the University Medal.  He practised as a barrister in New South Wales and was made Queen’s Counsel in 1958.  He served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales form 1960 to 1974, including eight years on the Court of Appeal culminating in his service as its President from 1972 to 1974.  He was appointed to the High Court in 1974 and retired on 6 April 1979.  His judgments in the Court, which are still quoted, made an important and lasting contribution to the development of a number of areas of public and private law.

The Court extends its condolences to his family.