Bruce Lander

Bruce Thomas Lander QC (born 13 November 1946) was the first Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) in South Australia. He was replaced by Ann Vanstone QC on 2 September 2020. He was formerly a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia.

Bruce Lander QC
First Independent Commissioner Against Corruption
In office 2 September 2013 – 2 September 2020
Succeeded by	Ann Vanstone QC
Judge of the Federal Court of Australia
In office 14 July 2003 – 31 August 2013
Judge of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory
In office January 2004 – 31 August 2013
Judge of Supreme Court of Norfolk Island
In office December 2008 – 31 August 2013
Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia
In office November 1994 – July 2003
Personal details
Born	Bruce Thomas Lander 13 November 1946
Nationality	Australian
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth ​ (m. 1968)​
Children	Four
Profession	Lawyer

Early life and education

Bruce Lander was born on 13 November 1946, the son of George and Shylie (née Taylor). After completing his secondary education at Unley High School, Lander studied law at the University of Adelaide, graduating in April 1968.[1]

Legal career

Lander began his legal career in 1969 as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia. He became a partner of Baker McEwin & Co in 1971, two years after his admission. He completed his articles with Baker McEwin & Co. (which later became Minter Ellison), and remained there until 1980. Lander then joined the independent bar and became a founder of Jeffcott Chambers.[2]

In 1986 he was appointed Queen's Counsel.[1]

In November 1994, Lander became a Judge of the Supreme Court of South Australia. He continued serving in this position until he was appointed a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia on 14 July 2003. Later judicial appointments include becoming an additional Judge of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory in January 2004, a Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in November 2005 and a Judge of the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island in December 2008.[1]

During 2010 and 2011, he was a part-time member of the Australian Law Reform Commission, as part of the Inquiry into Discovery.[3]

On 19 February 2013 Bruce Lander was appointed to become South Australia’s first Independent Commissioner Against Corruption.[4] He resigned his judicial appointments on 31 August 2013 and took up his role as ICAC on 2 September 2013.[5] His term ended on 1 September 2020 and he was replaced by Ann Vanstone QC.[6]

He has worked closely with the School of Law at Flinders University, from which he received an honorary degree in April 2013.[2]

Personal life

Bruce Lander married Elizabeth in 1968. They have three daughters and one son. Among his interests, he lists reading, watching football and gardening.[7]

References

1. "The Hon Bruce Thomas LANDER". Federal Court of Australia. Archived from the original on 21 February 2012.
2. "Ceremonial sitting of the Full Court to farewell the Honourable Justice Lander". [2013] Federal Judicial Scholarship 29. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
3. "Members of the Commission". Annual Report 2010-2011 (ALRC Report 116). Australian Law Reform Commission. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
4. "Premier Jay Weatherill to Name Independent Commissioner Against Corruption". Adelaidenow.com.au. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
5. "About the Commissioner". ICAC SA. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013.
6. Richardson, Tom (2 September 2020). "Marshall: Parliamentary privilege "not a blanket shield" to delay criminal probe". InDaily. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
7. John Emerson (1 February 2006). History of the Independent Bar of South Australia. Papinian Publishing. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-86396-835-8. Retrieved 21 February 2012.