Day 4 - the High Court

We went back to the High Court this morning, because we had heard that there was to be a big case, an appeal before the full bench of seven Justices. The case was an appeal by the CFMEU, one of Australia’s most powerful trade unions, against action by the Government to place one of its divisions under administration. We were able to sit in the public gallery and watch and hear all the proceedings. There were dozens of barristers and their associates, all wearing black robes though sadly not wigs.

It was quite extraordinary to watch the proceedings of the highest court in the land at such close quarters.

Not surprisingly, we were not able to take photographs in the court room. Instead, this is a detail of the wonderful architecture of the High Court. The extra possibly shows how some of the barristers get to court. Or perhaps not.