Friday 10 May 2024 marks the bicentenary of Tasmania’s Supreme Court, which is the oldest Supreme Court in Australia.
A range of events are being held to celebrate this important anniversary, several of which are open to the public.
Highlights of the program of events include:
- A ceremonial sitting of the Court will be held at 11.00am on the day to mark the occasion, a livestream of this special event will be available through the Supreme Court website.
- On Sunday 12 May, members of the public can participate in tours of the Supreme Court’s Civil building in Salamanca Place, accompanied by the original architect, Mr Peter Partridge and the Chief Justice who will share their unique insights.
- Walking tours from the penitentiary in Campbell Street to the current Supreme Court building in Salamanca Place presented by the National Trust on 11, 12 and 18 May will provide an opportunity to learn about the history of the Court and the locations it has been based over its 200-year history.
- The State Library of Tasmania is also offering tours to view significant Supreme Court documents held in its collection at 91 Murray Street at various times on Friday 10 May.
All these tours are free of charge but do require bookings.
Other items of historical significance will be on display in the Supreme Court civil building in Hobart, and in the Andrew Inglis Clark Law Library which can viewed at any time during the Court’s regular opening hours.
The full program of events, including links to register, is available on the Supreme Court website - https://www.supremecourt.tas.gov.au/supreme-court-bicentenary-events-may-2024/
To coincide with the bicentenary, From Convicts to Computers: Two Hundred Years of the Tasmanian Supreme Court by Justice Stephen Estcourt AM will also be launched on 10 May. Copies of the book will be available to purchase online from that date.