Flinders University today awarded a Degree of Laws honoris causa to Justice Bruce Lander (pictured), a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia and recently appointed as South Australia’s first Independent Commissioner Against Corruption.

The honorary degree recognises Justice Lander’s long and distinguished service to the law at both national and state levels. He has also been a strong supporter of Flinders Law School and has made a significant contribution to its continued success.

“Justice Lander has been an exemplar of the values underpinning the legal profession, which the Flinders Law School strives to instil in its students and graduates,” Flinders University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Barber, said.

The honorary degree was presented as part of the April graduation ceremonies, which will see 1620 graduates receive their official parchments from the University’s Chancellor, Mr Stephen Gerlach.

After working as a South Australian solicitor and barrister, Justice Lander was appointed a QC in 1986. His judicial career commenced in 1994 with his appointment to the Supreme Court of South Australia, where he remained until his appointment to the Federal Court of Australia in 2003. He holds a number of other judicial posts.

Justice Lander has played a significant role in the innovative development of modern rules of court and procedures for both courts. He was also a part-time member of the Australian Law Reform Commission in 2010 and 2011.

Justice Lander has for many years been patron of the Flinders Law Students Association (FLSA), in which role he facilitated the use of court premises and acted as a judge for student competitions and organised other judges to contribute.

He has hosted Flinders law alumni events at the Federal Court of Australia and served as a Visiting Judicial Fellow at the Law School, delivering guest lectures on litigation, participating in the Law School’s innovative New in Law transition program and chairing the School’s Advisory Board.