Laying it on thick at swearing-in ceremonies … Facts ignored in the face of too much grovel …  Quick judge spanked for slowing down the works … Anti-rights zealot plonked into the human rights chair … Groper reports from Perth 

There were the usual eye-glazing remarks about her honour’s prowess on the dance floor, her institution of Champagne Tuesdays at the court, while at Mallesons she arranged for members of her team to regularly dress-up according to a nominated “theme”. 

Such hilarity. 

Justice Strk had for five years been the court’s principal registrar and also served as an acting master and an acting judge – so she was already well known by the time she was sworn in as a judge. 

Martin Cuerden, president of the local bar and grill, who has recently been gnawed on the shanks by a foaming Senator Sarah Henderson, remarked to the gathering that HH is “courteous and patient … [and] quick in producing judgments”. 

It was an appeal against Strk’s order requiring the appellants to give supplementary discovery of documents. Leave to appeal was not granted because time had already spun beyond what was reasonable for the “fair and just” determination of issues in contention. 

The respondent made an application for supplementary discovery on April 11, 2019. It was the subject of extensive submissions, and was not determined until February 25, 2020. 

The appeal resulted in an extension of time for discovery to allow the general division of the court to hear a stay application on April 9, 2020. 

It meant that it has taken about a year to resolve the extent of supplementary discovery. The delay would have gone on longer had leave been granted. 

Their Hons Mitchell and Vaughan JJA said: 

“It is to be hoped that a case manager of the proceedings would be in a position to resolve contested questions as to the scope of discovery quickly, ordinarily by ex tempore reasons which need not be elaborate … 

“This court’s approach should not encourage additional delays which are an inevitable product of an interlocutory appeal. It should not discourage the prompt disposition of issues by case managers by demanding overly elaborate reasons or scrutinising the reasons which are given in a narrow or pedantic manner …”

The delay was described by their Hons as an having an “unsatisfactory history”.  

It’s about time that there was less gilding of the lily at judicial swearing-in ceremonies. 

Out of the far west comes Lorraine Finlay, previously Lorraine van der Ende, and her appointment as the new Inhuman Rights Commissioner. 

Only unhinged Madam Cash could find someone so perfect for the role: 

She’s from the uber-conservative fringe of the rock-dry WA Liberals, a former president of the Young Libs and a Liberal parliamentary candidate, plus a former associate to Dicey Heydon. 

Also on her CV is a stint with the WA DPP, like Christian “Blue Balls” Porter. 

It’s a puzzle that the Law Council felt the need to issue a grovelling endorsement: 

“Ms Finlay’s experience and insight will be invaluable to the commission as it continues to strive to uphold the human rights of all Australians.” 

LCA president Jacobs Brasch subsequently told Cardinal Pelly of the Financial Review that the position should have been advertised and determined through an open process. 

The poor old HRC has seen better days. Kate Jenkins, the sex discrimination commissioner, is the only one making waves. 

There’s been nary a squeak from the Porter appointed race discrimination commissioner, Chin Tan, and the age discrimination commissioner, former Liberal Senator Kay Patterson, who fell off the back of a truck. 

The commission has been loosing authority ever since Gorgeous George Brandis plonked aspiring politician Freedom Boy Wilson in the human rights chair. 

Finlay’s appointment does nothing to advance human rights and the Human Rights Commission itself – but that’s why she was chosen. 

While the HRC is based in Sydney, the new commissioner will be working out of Canberra, where Madam Cash can keen an eye on her. 

Following her appointment Finlay mounted a bit of a push back on Twitter against the torrent of criticism: