While a crisis brews at one end of George Street, a storm is continues to build at the other, with the legal community stuck in a standoff over the appointment of Tim Carmody as Chief Justice.
Following retiring Supreme Court Justice Alan Wilson's valedictory address claiming Justice Carmody's appointment was a failure and the Chief Justice's response, the President of the Bar Association of Queensland, Shane Doyle took the step of releasing his own statement.
"Public statements over the last few days have confirmed that there are important matters of concern affecting the functioning of the Supreme Court of this State," he said.
"The issues at the heart of these concerns need to be addressed, not only for the individual members of the judiciary, but more importantly for the people of this State whose respect for and confidence in the court is and must remain a paramount consideration.
"It is important that these issues are addressed very soon to avoid damage to the standing of our court and its members.
"The Bar Association (through the Vice President and me) is attempting to fully understand the circumstances which give rise to the present issues, and will seek to contribute to a mature and constructive resolution of those issues in whatever way is possible.
"I have spoken to the President of the Queensland Law Society who has expressed his willingness to participate with us in this process."
Mr Doyle distributed his comments through a public relations firm. Justice Carmody made his statement that he would not "be bullied out of judicial office" in a letter sent to members of the legal community.
Justice Wilson said he was "driven to say something" about Justice Carmody's leadership style, having "agonised" over the decision before deciding it must be done at his valedictory address last week.
He questioned Justice Carmody's approach to the role, as more of a public relations approach than the undertaking of "judge work" and said he had attempted to approach the judge rostered on to deal with Court of Disputed Returns cases when the Ferny Grove election result looked set to head to the court – and possibly decide the election.
The roster for the Court of Disputed Returns is decided by seniority, Justice Wilson said, to "ensure there can never be any suggestion of political influence or motive in the appointment".
In the most serious of his claims, Justice Wilson said the Chief Justice had made an attempt "to contest the automatic operation of that protocol" and later attempted to speak with the rostered judge about 'unresolved concerns', which the nominated judge "resisted".
In his letter, Justice Carmody said it was a "gross and offensive slur" on his professional integrity and said while the practice of appointing judges to the court 12 months in advance of an election based on seniority was installed in 1995 and was "convenient in most situations in most years", also "must yield to the circumstances of the day".
"A primary purpose of the appointment practice is to ensure the appearance of neutrality," Justice Carmody said.
"It will not always do that, adding that he "felt obliged" to "exercise my independent judgement", as was implied under the legislation, to "ensure that there was no impediment to the appointment of a judge to hear any such disputed return".
Queensland Liberties Council vice-president and lawyer, Terry O'Gorman, said the only way to resolve the situation, was for Justice Carmody to release his correspondence on the issue.
"What Justice Wilson had to say was not a character assessment," he said.
"It was a pointed and very serious allegation against the conduct of the chief Justice to which the Chief Justice must respond and must respond immediately and fully by releasing all correspondence on these issues".
On Monday, Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said she would not release her office's contact with Justice Carmody, as she would not "breach any confidences" in the judiciary, a marked attack at her predecessor.
