His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC QC

His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC QC has demonstrated a lifetime of achievement and community leadership at the very highest level, culminating in his appointment as the 26th Governor of Queensland in 2014.

Described as one of the state’s top legal minds, His Excellency has had an illustrious career in law, becoming a barrister at 23, a Queen’s Council at 33 and a Supreme Court judge at 36. He became Chief Justice of Queensland in 1988 at the age of 40, making him the second-youngest Chief Justice of Queensland.

During his career, His Excellency chaired the Queensland Law Reform Commission, was President of the Industrial Court of Queensland, was the first Chief Justice to conduct a murder trial in Longreach and to exercise the criminal jurisdiction of the District Court on Thursday Island, and undertook sittings throughout Queensland as a Supreme Court Judge.

Beyond the courtroom, His Excellency has devoted considerable time to charitable and community initiatives, including as President of the Australian Cancer Society, Chairman of the Queensland Cancer Fund, and Chancellor of the Brisbane Diocese of the Anglican Church. This extensive community involvement was recognised in 2000 when he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia.