Brisbane based barrister, Gerard Mullins KC was today presented with the Australian Lawyers Alliance's (ALA) Queensland Civil Justice Award recognising his commitment to using the law to improve the lives of individuals.
The annual ALA Civil Justice Award recognises individuals or organisations who have displayed an outstanding commitment to the pursuit of justice.
"Gerry Mullins is a very deserving winner of our Civil Justice Award," said ALA State President, Ms Sarah Grace. ""For many years, Gerry has effectively applied the law to support and advance social justice and human rights in Australia.
"If advocacy is about the telling of other people's stories when they cannot themselves, Gerry Mullins is the best storyteller around.
"Gerry does not do principled work for the purpose of recognition or remuneration. He does it because it is the right thing to do. Often, he takes on cases at a financial and emotional cost to himself because he can see there is a real need for someone to tell a story and make a difference."
Some of the many cases Mr Mullins KC has taken on include Terry Irving v Pfingst and the State of Queensland, the lead poisoning case of Sanders v Mt Isa Mines Limited and Ors and Thornton v Lessbrook Pty Ltd trading as Transair involving the death of a young police officer in the Lockhart River crash in Cape York and her finance's claim for dependency. Mr Mullins has also represented Bundaberg Hospital victims, families of the youths at the Basil Stafford Centre, victims of the Dubai Air flight 981 which crashed and the family of Cameron Doomagee to obtain compensation for Mr Doomagee's death in custody on Palm Island.
"He has devoted his career to working alongside people who have needed to fight for the restitution and justice they deserve," said Ms Grace.
"Of all the contributions Gerry has made to the law, he is particularly noted for progressive law in the area of civil justice. He has worked to change the way that legal argument can be used to better the lives of the individual."
Previous winners of the Queensland Civil Justice Award include law firm founder Kerry Splatt, Braveheart founder Hetty Johnson AM, patient advocate Beryl Crosby, Sisters Inside CEO Debbie Kilroy and human rights barrister Stephen Keim SC.
Mr Mullins KC was announced as the recipient of this award today at the ALA Queensland Conference on the Gold Coast.
