Statement

Wednesday, 25 February 2026

Vale Sir Anthony Mason

On behalf of the Law Society of NSW, I offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the late Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE GBM KC who passed away last night.  

Sir Anthony’s remarkable achievements in the law are well known, most notably in his service as Chief Justice of Australia capping his 23 years as a judge of the High Court of Australia.

These include the recognition of native title and abandonment of the doctrine of terra nullius in Mabo v Queensland (No2); and the recognition of a constitutionally implied freedom of political communication in Australian Capital Television v Commonwealth.  

We are immensely proud that the Law Society will continue to play an important role in continuing Sir Anthony’s legacy through our administration of the NSW Young Lawyers’ Sir Anthony Mason Constitutional Law Essay Competition.

Media contact
Damien Smith | Director, Media and Public Relations
The Law Society of New South Wales
M: +61 417 788 947
E: [email protected]