Elizabeth Evatt facts for kids

Elizabeth Andreas Evatt (born 11 November 1933) is a very important Australian lawyer and judge. She has worked on many national and international groups. She was the first ever Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia. This means she was the main judge in charge of that court.

She was also the first woman judge in an Australian federal court. A federal court deals with laws for the whole country. On top of that, she was the first Australian chosen to be part of the United Nations Human Rights Committee. This group works to protect human rights around the world.

Early Life and Education

Elizabeth Evatt was born in 1933. Her father, Clive Evatt, was a barrister. A barrister is a type of lawyer who speaks in court. Her uncle, H. V. Evatt, was also a very famous person in Australian law and politics.

Elizabeth went to the Presbyterian Ladies' College in Pymble, Sydney. She then studied law at the University of Sydney. She was the youngest student ever accepted into their law program. She also became the first female student to win the University's Medal for Law. This was a big achievement! She finished her degree in March 1955.

In 1955, she became a barrister in New South Wales. She then won a special scholarship to Harvard University in the United States. There, she earned another law degree called an LLM in 1956. She also became a barrister in London, United Kingdom. From 1968 to 1973, Elizabeth worked at the England and Wales Law Commission. This group helps to update and improve laws.

Important Judicial Roles

Working in Australia

In December 1972, Elizabeth Evatt made history again. She was appointed as the first female Deputy President of the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission. This group helped to solve problems between workers and employers. She stayed in this role until 1989.

From 1974 to 1977, Elizabeth led a special group called the Royal Commission on Human Relationships. This group looked into how people relate to each other. They made suggestions that led to a new law called the Family Law Act 1975. This law changed how divorces worked in Australia. It introduced "no-fault divorce," meaning couples could divorce without blaming each other. They just needed to show they had been separated for 12 months.

The Family Law Act also created the Family Court of Australia. Elizabeth Evatt was chosen to be its very first Chief Justice. She held this important position from 1976 to 1988.

After that, in 1988, Elizabeth became the President of the Australian Law Reform Commission. This group works to improve and update Australia's laws. She held this job until 1993. Later, from 1995 to 1998, she also worked part-time for the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. This group helps protect people's rights and ensures fair treatment.

Working Internationally

Elizabeth Evatt also worked on important international groups. In 1984, she became a member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. This committee works to stop unfair treatment against women worldwide. She even led this committee from 1989 to 1991.

In 1992, she was the first Australian to be chosen for the United Nations Human Rights Committee. She was a member of this group from 1993 to 2000. This committee helps make sure countries follow international human rights laws.

From 1998 to 2007, Elizabeth worked as a judge for a special tribunal at the World Bank. This tribunal helps solve disagreements about staff issues at the World Bank. In 2003, she was also chosen as a Commissioner of the International Committee of Jurists. This is a group of legal experts who promote human rights and the rule of law.

Other Important Roles

In 1988, Elizabeth Evatt became the Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, Australia. The Chancellor is like the head of the university. She held this role until 1994.

In 1995, she was asked by Senator John Herron to review a law about protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. Her detailed report, known as the "Evatt Review," was given in 1996. It helped to improve laws that protect important cultural places and items for Indigenous Australians.

A Champion for Human Rights

Elizabeth Evatt has always been a strong supporter of human rights in Australia. She especially champions women's rights. In 2004, she gave a speech about the Sex Discrimination Act 1984. She talked about how this law and others could be even better at protecting women's rights in Australia.

She also spoke out about some anti-terrorism laws in 2005. She felt these laws might take away important freedoms in Australia. She believed they were very strict and could harm basic democratic rights.

In 2006, Elizabeth Evatt signed the Yogyakarta Principles. These principles are a set of international rules about human rights for all people, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Awards and Special Honours

Elizabeth Evatt has received many awards for her amazing work. On 14 June 1982, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. This award recognized her services to the law.

Then, on 12 June 1995, she received an even higher award: Companion of the Order of Australia. This was given to her for her "service to the law, social justice and to the promotion of human rights worldwide." It especially recognized her work in equal opportunity and anti-discrimination laws.

In 1985, the University of Sydney gave her an honorary degree called a Doctor of Laws (LL.D). This was a special award to celebrate her achievements. The Flinders University of South Australia also gave her the same award in 1994.

In 2007, a legal centre in the Blue Mountains changed its name to the Elizabeth Evatt Community Legal Centre. This centre gives free legal advice to people in the area. Elizabeth Evatt is now the patron of this centre, which means she supports it.

Elizabeth is also a Life Member of the Evatt Foundation. This organization was created to honor her uncle, Dr H. V. Evatt. It works to promote ideas like equality, fairness, and human rights. Elizabeth was the Vice-President of this Foundation from 1982 to 1987.

In 2001, she was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. This list celebrates the achievements of important women in Victoria, Australia.

See also

• Evatt House