Selden Society 2026 lecture two: The last appeal from Queensland to the Privy Council

Supreme Court Library Queensland, on behalf of the Selden Society (Australian Chapter), invites you to the second lecture in the 2026 Selden Society lecture series. 

The last appeal from Queensland to the Privy Council 
Presented by Sandy Thompson KC 
Thursday 18 June 2026, 5.15 for 5.30pm 
Banco Court, level 3, Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law  

This lecture is free to attend. Light refreshments will be served in the Portrait Gallery afterwards. 

If you are unable to attend in person, the lecture will also be livestreamed. Register via Zoom. 

About the lecture 

Prior to the enactment of the Australia Act 1986 (Cth) and the Australia Act 1986 (UK), some Queensland court matters were appealed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for final determination. What were hearings like in this forum before this avenue of appeal was abolished? 

In this lecture, Sandy Thompson KC will share his experiences appearing as counsel in 1985 and 1986, the latter (Coast Securities No. 9 Pty Ltd v Bondoukou Pty Ltd) being the last Queensland appeal to Her Majesty in Council. He will also trace the legislative history of appeals to the Privy Council and their eventual abolition in 1986.  

About the speaker 

Gavin Alexander (Sandy) Thompson KC is a commercial barrister who practices in Queensland and interstate. He is a former president of the Bar Association of Queensland and a former Solicitor-General for the State of Queensland.  

Sandy was called to the Bar in 1983 and took silk in 1998. He appeared as junior counsel in two appeals to the Privy Council. 

Enquiries

• 1300 SCLQLD (1300 725 753)

• www.sclqld.org.au/contact