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A Symbol of Justice: Former Chief Justice Donates Historic Judicial Wig to ECU

Wednesday, 19 August 2026

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  • Judicial Wig of the Hon Robert Shenton French AC

    Judicial Wig of the Hon Robert Shenton French AC

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The ECU School of Business and Law has added a rare piece of court history to its campus. The Honourable Justice Robert Shenton French AC, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, has donated his judicial wig to the school's Legal History Showcase.

The donation marks a historic full-circle moment for ECU. Long before serving as Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia from 2008 to 2017, Justice French helped lay the university’s very foundations as its inaugural Chancellor. His gift connects his early vision for ECU with decades of public service at the peak of the nation’s legal system.

For centuries, judicial wigs have carried a quiet weight in the courtroom. Worn across generations of legal history, they stand as enduring symbols of court independence, strict impartiality, and equal justice under the law.

Now resting on campus, the artefact gives aspiring lawyers a direct, physical link to the history and evolution of their chosen profession. University leaders say having such an iconic object on display helps bridge the gap between late-night study sessions and the real-world responsibility of wearing the robes.

"His donation represents not only a treasured historical artefact, but also a lasting educational legacy," said Professor Joshua Aston. "It will remind future generations of students of the honor, responsibility, and privilege of serving the law."

Next time you visit the moot court, take a moment to explore the impressive collection of legal artefacts on display.

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