Appointment of two new Queen's Counsel

22/12/93

Western Australia has two new Queen's Counsel. 

Attorney General Cheryl Edwardes today announced that Michael Buss and Rene Le Miere had been appointed Queen's Counsel by the Governor on advice of Executive Council. 

Mr Buss is a graduate of the Law School at the University of Western Australia and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1977. 

He joined the Independent Bar in 1987 and in 1991-92 served as one of the counsel assisting the Royal Commission into the commercial activities of the State Government. 

Mr Buss is a member of the disciplinary committee of the Western Australian Bar Association. 

Mr Le Miere is a graduate of the Law School at the University of Western Australia and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1978. 

From 1981 to 1988 he was a partner with the law firm Dwyer Durack and joined the Independent Bar in 1988. 

Mr Le Miere was president of the Law Society of WA from 1989-90 and was also a member of the Law Reform Commission. 

Mrs Edwardes said that Queen's Counsel fulfilled a worthwhile role and were a necessary part of the legal profession. 

"Those selected as Queen's Counsel are extremely competent and have shown their independence and ability to handle complex and contentious cases," she said.

"They are also often called upon to perform important public duties, such as acting as special investigators for commissions of inquiry." 

Mrs Edwardes, in congratulating the two new appointees, said Queens Counsel were advocates of ability who had been selected through a rigorous, open and critical process. 

Recommendations for appointment were made by the Chief Justice after extensive consultation with other members of the judiciary, the Solicitor General, the Bar Association and the Law Society. 

Media contact:  Casey Cahill 222 9595