Leycester Meares

(Charles) Leycester Devenish Meares AC, CMG, QC (16 January 1909 – 5 August 1994) was an Australian judge, patron of the arts and chairman and benefactor of the national child safety organisation Kidsafe.[1]

The Honourable (Charles) Leycester Devenish Meares AC, CMG, QC
Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
In office 2 June 1969 – 4 February 1979
Personal details
Born	(1909-01-16)16 January 1909 Sydney, New South Wales
Died	5 August 1994(1994-08-05) (aged 85) Kirribilli, New South Wales
Nationality	Australian
Parents	Charles Devenish-Meares, Mary Anna Brown
Relatives	Brothers Russell & Lambert, half brothers Alfred & Stan
Education	Newington College University of Sydney
Occupation	Barrister, Queen's Counsel, Judge

Early life

Leycester Meares was born in Sydney and attended Newington College (1924-1926).[2] In 1927 he went up to the University of Sydney and graduated in law in 1932.[3]

Legal career

Meares was admitted to the NSW Bar in 1932 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1954. He appeared in the trial of both The Wagon Mound (No 1),[4] and the Wagon Mound (No 2).[5] In 1967 he was named as an acting judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. The position was made permanent in 1969. Other legal positions held included president of the Martial Appeals Tribunal, president of the New South Wales Medico-Legal Society, president of the Australian Bar Association and chairman of the NSW Law Reform Commission.[6]

War service

Meares served with the Australian Army in World War II, attained the rank of temporary lieutenant colonel and was mentioned in despatches.[7]

Community involvement

He served as chairman of the National Advisory Council for the Handicapped, and was foundation chairman of Kidsafe from 1979.

Honours

• Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George - 1978, for service to the community, especially to the handicapped.
• Companion of the Order of Australia - 1985, for distinguished public service to the Australian honours system and for continued distinguished service in the field of social welfare.[8]

References

1. "Kidsafe". The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
2. Newington College Register of Past Students 1863-1998 (Syd, 1999)pp133
3. "Alumni Sidneienses". University of Sydney. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
4. Overseas Tankship (UK) Ltd v Morts Dock and Engineering Co Ltd (The Wagon Mound) (No 1) (1959) 61 SR (NSW) 688.
5. Miller Steamship Co Pty Ltd v Overseas Tankship (UK) Ltd (The Wagon Mound) (No 2) (1963) SR (NSW) 948.
6. "Law Reform Commission". Lawlink New South Wales. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
7. "Honours and awards (gazetted)". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
8. "It's an Honour". Australian Government. Retrieved 25 June 2008.