"Two hundred years ago, on the 17th of May 1824, the Supreme Court of New South Wales officially opened. 

At two o’clock in the afternoon, the new Chief Justice took his seat, the Charter of Justice was publicly read out, and the oath of office was taken. 

As the Sydney Gazette reported, it was a day that ‘would be long remembered by the grateful inhabitants of Australasia’. 

That has certainly proved to be the case. 

The Supreme Court began its jurisdiction over a small colony, with 35,000 people and half a million sheep. Before then, powers were heavily concentrated in the Governor, channelling the authority of the British crown. 

Along with the Legislative Council, the Supreme Court was our first real step towards transforming this convict outpost into a modern liberal society, with responsible government and the proper separation of powers. 

Over that journey, the Supreme Court has carefully guarded some of our most precious inheritances. 

Successive courts have preserved the rule of law, administered justice, regulated commerce, and resolved disputes in a peaceful manner. 

As we’ve seen in different parts of the world, democracy and freedom are never guaranteed. The strength of a political system depends on the integrity of its institutions and the people who run them.

Here in New South Wales, we can be confident in those institutions. And that begins with our legal system – flowing down from its highest court – which for two centuries has lived up to its oath: 

‘To do right to all manner of people, according to the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill will’."