James Henry Muirhead AC QC

Appointed: 1 July 1989 to 1 March 1993

Date of birth: 24 April 1925

Place of birth: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Parents: H M Muirhead (Police Magistrate)

Education

Spouse: Margaret (née Frayne) - married 4 February 1950

Children: 3 sons and 1 daughter

Employment history

1950 to 1969 - Barrister and Solicitor at Thomson, Buttrose, Ross & Lewis
1970 to 1972 - Judge at Local and District Criminal Court of SA
1972 to 1973 - Acting Judge at Supreme Court of PNG
1973 to 1974 - Acting Director responsible for establishing Australian Institute of Criminology in Canberra
1974 to 1985 - Judge at Supreme Court of the Northern Territory
1977 to 1987 - Judge at Federal Court of Australia
1980 to 1981 and 1982 - Appointed to act in absence of Administrator and Chief Justice
1983 - Residential Judge at Supreme Court of Northern Territory and Appointed Acting Administrator with a dormant commission
1983 and 1985 - Acted in the Office of the Administrator
1985 - Acting Chief Justice
1986 to 1987 - Resident Judge at Federal Court of WA
1987 - Acting Judge at Supreme Court of Northern Territory
1987 - Royal Commissioner inquiry into Aboriginal deaths in custody

Qualifications, appointments and admissions

Honours and awards

1939-1945 – Star, Pacific Star and War Medal
1939 to 1945 - Australian Service Medal 1939-1945
1977 - Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal
1989 - Knight of Grace of the Order of St John (KStJ)
1991 - Appointed Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the General Division

Subsequent career

Memorials: Muirhead Chambers Darwin - died on 20 July 1999, state funeral held in Darwin