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'For more than thirty years, Tom Hughes, a scion of a notable Sydney family of high achievers, was one of Australia’s top barristers, renowned, respected and sometimes feared for his dominating presence in the courtroom. Equally at home in all jurisdictions, his theatrical style, command of language and forensic skills filled public galleries, exposed witnesses, persuaded juries and ensured that judges paid attention. An icon of the Sydney and Australian Bar, he appeared in a raft of celebrated cases, became the subject of many media profiles and was, from the 1970s to the 1990s, the country’s most expensive advocate. In addition to published material, the book draws on a huge trove of personal records, including fee books, intimate diaries, autobiographical jottings and private correspondence, supplemented by interviews with Hughes, his family, friends and colleagues. Using these sources, the book provides insights into a many-sided character – telling the story of how Hughes and his immediate forebears embraced more of their English than their Irish heritage while becoming distinctively Australian. It also offers a personal perspective on several decades of Australian political, social and legal history.' (Publication summary)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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[Review Essay] Tom Hughes QC : A Cab on the Rank
2017
single work
essay
— Appears in: Australian Journal of Politics and History , September vol. 63 no. 3 2017; (p. 475-476)'Tom Hughes is a highly successful barrister, former federal Liberal Attorney-General, and President of the New South Wales Bar Association who has been variously described during his career as “a top silk”, “the leader of the Australian Bar” and “the venerable lion of the Sydney bar” (p.303). Hughes is also notable for being the brother of the late art critic Robert Hughes and the father-in-law of the current Prime Minister.' (Introduction)
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Footwork Magnificent
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , August no. 383 2016; (p. 59)
— Review of Tom Hughes QC : A Cab on the Rank 2016 single work biography -
Most Agreeable Verdict
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 6-7 August 2016; (p. 22)
— Review of Tom Hughes QC : A Cab on the Rank 2016 single work biography -
Politics and the Law : A Life at the Top
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Institute Review , October no. 4 2016;
— Review of Tom Hughes QC : A Cab on the Rank 2016 single work biography -
Contradictory Counsel
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Inside Story , July 2016;
— Review of Tom Hughes QC : A Cab on the Rank 2016 single work biography'A new biography of Sydney lawyer and sometime politician Tom Hughes details a remarkable career, writes Tony Blackshield'
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Most Agreeable Verdict
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 6-7 August 2016; (p. 22)
— Review of Tom Hughes QC : A Cab on the Rank 2016 single work biography -
Footwork Magnificent
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , August no. 383 2016; (p. 59)
— Review of Tom Hughes QC : A Cab on the Rank 2016 single work biography -
Contradictory Counsel
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: Inside Story , July 2016;
— Review of Tom Hughes QC : A Cab on the Rank 2016 single work biography'A new biography of Sydney lawyer and sometime politician Tom Hughes details a remarkable career, writes Tony Blackshield'
-
Politics and the Law : A Life at the Top
2016
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Institute Review , October no. 4 2016;
— Review of Tom Hughes QC : A Cab on the Rank 2016 single work biography -
[Review Essay] Tom Hughes QC : A Cab on the Rank
2017
single work
essay
— Appears in: Australian Journal of Politics and History , September vol. 63 no. 3 2017; (p. 475-476)'Tom Hughes is a highly successful barrister, former federal Liberal Attorney-General, and President of the New South Wales Bar Association who has been variously described during his career as “a top silk”, “the leader of the Australian Bar” and “the venerable lion of the Sydney bar” (p.303). Hughes is also notable for being the brother of the late art critic Robert Hughes and the father-in-law of the current Prime Minister.' (Introduction)