This month we congratulate Professor Laurence Boulle AM, on his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia; Professor Paul Wilson on his appointment as an expert for the International Criminal Court, and Assistant Professor Tim Jay on his recruitment to the Royal Australian Air Force’s specialist reserve legal panel. Well done to Laurence, Paul and Tim on these prestigious appointments.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Bond community, please email kwelsh@bond.edu.au.
Congratulations to Deputy Dean of Law Professor Laurence Boulle on his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM); "For service to the law, particularly in the fields of mediation, alternative dispute resolution and education, and as a contributor to legal publications."
A seasoned legal practitioner, Professor Boulle AM (pictured above) has worked tirelessly to improve mediation practices within Australia and, as a foundation staff member, has been helping Bond Law students to master the intricacies of the legal profession for 20 years.
Laurence Boulle taught at the Universities of Natal and Adelaide before joining Bond University in 1988. He has taught and worked at universities in Europe, Africa, North America and Australasia and his books on constitutional law, employment law, mediation and dispute resolution have been published in seven countries.
He served as Chair of the Federal Government's National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council from 1999 until 2003 and is currently a part-time member of the National Native Title Tribunal. He is accredited as a mediator of the Supreme Court of Queensland and conducts a private mediation practice.
Despite his success and his contribution to the field of law, Professor Boulle was taken aback when his efforts were recognised with the award.
"I was rather embarrassed actually, I wanted to find the nominator," he said.
"However, it's a great recognition of the place of mediation in Australia's justice system today."
Professor Paul Wilson has just been appointed to the list of experts for the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a consultant in forensic psychology and criminology. The court only appoints experts after a thorough and comprehensive vetting process.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent, permanent court that tries persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The ICC is based on a treaty, joined by 105 countries.
The ICC is a court of last resort. It will not act if a case is investigated or prosecuted by a national judicial system unless the national proceedings are not genuine, for example if formal proceedings were undertaken solely to shield a person from criminal responsibility. In addition, the ICC only tries those accused of the gravest crimes.
Professor Wilson says he is delighted and humbled with his appointment. "I have admired and respected the work of the court for a number of years" he said. "Some of the work I have done in genocide and in miscarriages of justice will serve be useful for any work I do with the ICC in the future".
Professor Wilson, who frequently gives expert evidence in Australian criminal and civil courts, says that the experience with the ICC will be invaluable for teaching students at Bond in forensic psychology and criminology courses.
Assistant Professor of Law Tim Jay has recently been recruited by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to join its specialist reserve legal panel, operating from RAAF Base Amberley, Qld. Panel members provide a wide variety of legal advice and assistance to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) at all levels. Tasks may involve anything from duties on a board of inquiry, accident investigation or court-martial, down to the making of a will or power of attorney for a serving member of the ADF.
Tim is no stranger to military service; before embarking on a legal career, he completed twenty years of service in the RAAF as an aeronautical engineer and pilot. Tim flew operations on C-130E Hercules aircraft with No. 37 SQN, and became a captain on that aircraft type.
Tim rejoins the RAAF at his former rank of Squadron Leader.