Peter Buchanan

The Honourable Justice Peter Buchanan is a judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria, the highest court in Victoria, a state of Australia. Buchanan was appointed a judge of the court on 27 October 1997 [http://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/CA256902000FE154/Lookup/AnnualReport/$file/AR0204Appendices.pdf] . Buchanan is currently the longest serving member of the Court of Appeal.

Education and Career

After finishing high school at the Scotch College in Melbourne, Mr. Buchanan studied Arts and Law at the Australian National University. He then obtained a PhD at the University of London in the areas of wills and trusts.

On his return to Melbourne, Buchanan became a QC and participated in a number of high profile cases including the one which concerned Albert Park.

Notable cases

Buchanan has been involved in a number of significant cases in Victoria. In July 2003, Buchanan along with Justice Stephen Charles granted a stay of order made earlier by Justice Phillip Mandie against John Elliott, a prominent Australian businessman. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/15/1065917486271.html?from=storyrhs Elliott appeal on hold till next year - Business - smh.com.au ] ] . The effect was to allow Elliot to continue managing several family-owned companies and a directorship. The order was made there would be "a potentially severe disruption" to the trading activities of the companies if the stay wasn't granted.

In August 2005, Buchanan along with Justice Geoffrey Nettle granted leave to appeal a decision against Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scot, and a Christian organisation called "Catch the Fire Ministries". The decision against those persons was the first decision under Victoria's racial vilification laws (the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act) in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/war-on-terror/pastors-can-appeal-over-vilification-claims/2005/08/19/1124435143824.html Pastors can appeal over vilification claims - War on Terror - Features ] ] .

In December 2006, Buchanan with Justices Chris Maxwell and Frank Vincent upheld an appeal by Jack Thomas (commonly referred to as "Jihad Jack") against his conviction for terroism related offences. Thomas was accused of accept money and a plane ticket from an al-qaida terrorist. The court found that Thomas's interview with the Australian Federal Police was not voluntary, and as a result, ordered a retrial for Thomas [ [http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/new_trial_for_thomas/ New trial for Thomas | Herald Sun Andrew Bolt Blog ] ]

References

ources

*Homepage - Supreme Court of Victoria http://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au
*Who's Who Australia 2005.