Simon Isaacs

Brief description

PER-71

Full description

Simon Isaacs was born on 9 April 1905 at London, England, the son of Herman Isaacs from Amsterdam, Holland. Simon came to Australia with his family before World War I. Simon was educated at Sydney Boys High School and at the University of Sydney (LLB 1st Class Honours 1927). He was awarded a Public Exhibition scholarship to the University based on his results in the Leaving Certificate examination of November 1922. In 1926 he shared with W Lieberman the George and Matilda Harris Scholarship No.II based on his results in Part 1 of the Final Law examination. (1)

Isaacs was admitted as a solicitor for New South Wales on 6 June 1928 and his office was at 82 Pitt Street, Sydney (1929-1930 and 8A Castlereagh Street (1931-1934). On 15 February 1934 he was called to the New South Wales Bar and his chambers were at 170 Phillip Street (1935-1937), 61 Hunter Street (1938) and 167 Phillip Street (1939-1964). Made a King's Counsel on 27 September 1950, he practised in all jurisdictions from equity through nisi prius to crime, including common law, industrial and appellate. He was described as one of the best draftsmen of pleading and was a Council member of the New South Wales Bar in 1962/63. (2)

Isaacs was appointed a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales on 19 October 1964. He retired on 9 April 1975. (3)

Isaacs was active in the community. He was a Board member of the Great Synagogue and a foundation member of the Strathfield Synagogue. He was also treasurer for many years of the Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Home. (4)

Isaacs died on 17 June 1987 at Sydney, survived by his wife Maria (known as Ria) nee Israel whom he married on 9 April 1929, and their three sons and one daughter. (5)

Endnotes
1. Who's Who in Australia, Melbourne, The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd, 1955, p.404; 1959, p.414; 1962, p.443; 1965, p.444; 1968, p.461; 1971, p.511; 1974, p.550; 1977, p.569; Australian Law Journal, Vol.61, p.440 (August 1987); Sydney Morning Herald 19 June 1987, p.11; University of Sydney Calendar, 1923, pp.497, 685; 1924, pp.544, 722; 1925, pp.543, 728; 1926, pp.544, 726; 1927, pp.402, 489, 549, 651; 1928, p.849, http://calendararchive.usyd.edu.au/index.php (cited 12 May 2008).
2. Barrister and Solicitors Admission Boards; NRS 13667, Roll of Solicitors, 17 February 1927 - 20 November 1936; Reel 2147, p.5; Barrister and Solicitors Admission Boards; NRS 13665, Roll of Barristers, 17 February 1927 - 10 June 1955; Reel 2147, p.7; New South Wales Law Almanac, Sydney, NSW Government Printer, 1929, p.95; 1931, p.99; 1935, p.75; 1938, p.76; 1939, p.76; 1951, p.68; 1963, p.73; 1964, p.91; Australian Law Journal, Vol.38, p.428 (30 April 1965); Vol.49, pp.251-2 (May 1975); Attorney General's Department [III]; NRS 333, Letters received - Special Bundles, 1874-1984; [10/42917] Correspondence re appointment of King's Counsels, 1898-1941; Sydney Morning Herald, 29 September 1950.
3. State Reports New South Wales, Sydney, Law Book Company Ltd, Vol.64 (1963-1964), p.iv; New South Wales Law Reports, Sydney, Law Book Company Ltd, 1975, Vol.1, p.viii; Australian Law Journal, op.cit.; New South Wales Law Almanac for 1980, Sydney, NSW Government Printer, 1980, p.64.
4. Sydney Morning Herald, 19 June 1987, p.11.
5. Sydney Morning Herald, 19 June 1987, p.25; Who's Who in Australia, op.cit..

Notes

Judge, Supreme Court of New South Wales, 19/10/1964 - 09/04/1975