On 7 February 2017, the Federal Court of Australia celebrates the 40th Anniversary of its first sitting on 7 February 1977.

As well as holding a ceremonial sitting to mark the day, the Federal Court of Australia has gathered a specially curated collection of court and parliamentary documents from archives, as well as commentary and analysis including articles from our very own Australian Law Journal, to be displayed on its website.

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The Archivist’s picks include:

  •  MH Byers QC and PB Toose QC, “The Necessity for a New Federal Court (A Survey of the Federal Court System in Australia)” (1963) 36 ALJ 308
  • NH Bowen, “Some Aspects of the Commonwealth Superior Court Proposal” (1967) 41 ALJ 336

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These seminal articles provide unique and fascinating insights into the context and dialogue around the need for a federal court, and the mission and purpose of such a court, under the Australian Constitution and in the administration of Australian law and justice.