Geoff James

Prominent Darwin lawyer and academic Geoff James died aged 80 this month.

Gravely ill with lung disease, Mr James had decided to move to Broken Hill to spend his remaining time with family, but on the day of his departure, October 7, he died of a heart attack.

"We the family, all feel he was simply unable to leave his beloved Darwin. His home, his love, his life," mourners at his funeral were told.

Tributes since his death have remembered Mr James's inexhaustible enthusiasm for the law: He litigated some of the NT's most famous cases including the Ranger Uranium injunction, the Timor gunrunning case and the Mudginberri abattoirs dispute; and inspired hundreds of university students with his encyclopaedic legal knowledge.

But he also knew how to switch off and the eulogy at his funeral recalled his love of heading out bush and exploring the Territory he so loved.

With his family's permission we publish their heartfelt tribute.

Geoff's life began in Brisbane in 1942, the fourth sibling born to Alan and Pearl James.

In 1948 the family relocated to Darwin where an amazing life was awaiting for any child with imagination - one had arrived in, Athol Geoffrey James.

Geoff attended the old Darwin primary school in Woods Street, followed by Darwin high school.

On deciding his future, Geoff went off to the Australian National University in Canberra, graduating in law as both solicitor and barrister in 1967. He returned to Darwin and maintained a private practice for 40 years.

Geoff was the first university graduate from the NT's post-World War II primary and secondary education system. Geoff's much varied and active professional life can be condensed to these points: In the early years he did jury trials as defence with some prosecution work.

In later years he focused more on the very broad needs of the law abiding public in a small community. The middle decades were spiced with controversial litigation including the Ranger Uranium injunction case, the OenPelli Roads case, The Timor gunrunning case and the Mudginberri abattoirs case (all of which made national headlines).

By Geoff's side throughout this time was his wife Barbara James, whom he met at university. After both attained their degrees they returned to Darwin, married and settled into a very fulfilling life for the next two decades.

Change, being the only permanence in life occurred, with the separation between Barbara and Geoff.

Kathleen Edgar, the mother of Ingra, Madeleine and Jarrod, proceeded to spend the next seven years with Geoff. A family unit that Geoff simply adored. Sadly for all, this too changed form.

Years later, Geoff met Kay Mackrell whom he married. Kay had two sons, Dane and Ryan Mackrell. Geoff's family now extended to five children. They all absolutely revelled in Geoff being such a huge part of their lives. He was an incredible influence, an absolute steadfast and an amazing example of the good that life has on offer. They all adored him, his six grandchildren included.

Geoff joined the school of law in 2007. Experienced teachings in the areas of equity, trusts, successions, legal history, jurisprudence, trade practices, vendor and purchaser, contracts oil and gas law. Geoff's enthusiasm for law and the imparting of his encyclopaedic knowledge to his students, was inexhaustible. His commitment knew no bounds.

At this point you may well ask - did this man ever stop to smell the roses? Rarely, but when he did, the bush beckoned.

His early escapades were with his nephews, camping, hunting, fishing, bushwalking and exploring, all over isolated areas of the Northern Territory. Many of which are now inaccessible to we folk. His later years with his children Ingra, Madeleine and Jarrod, similar bush escapades, interspersed with some very long 'informative' car trips around the Australian coastline.

Geoff had the ability due to his profession, to absolutely "switch off" once on the road heading out of town. On some of his early trips, his only companion was his much loved and spoilt dog "Jeddah". He had a passion for our four-legged friends.

Geoff having slightly more time on his hands later in life, joined Darwin North Rotary club and thoroughly enjoyed being an active member of this wonderful organisation, being honoured with life membership.

Throughout his professional life, when time allowed, Geoff enjoyed swimming and sailing and typical of Geoff James - no half measures - 80 laps at lunchtime and sailing, no less than the Darwin to Ambon yacht race.

Athol Geoffrey James was a man of great empathy with a willingness to help others and with no expectations of anything in return.

He was quite extraordinary in his response to others and their needs. Patience personified was our Geoffrey.

At age 80, Geoff was still actively involved with Kelly and Partners. A liaison, he was so looking forward to continuing whilst in Broken Hill.

We the family, all feel he was simply unable to leave his beloved Darwin. His home, his love, his life.

 Tribute from Charles Darwin University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman

Geoff was a member of the Law School for 15 years. He had a long and distinguished record of law practice as a solicitor and barrister in Darwin for over 40 years. He was an outstanding teacher and was passionate about law and legal history. His lectures were always thorough and insightful, and his students uniformly adored him. His outgoing and charming demeanour will be very much missed by all who knew him.

One of his students drafted the following tribute.

 "Thank you Mr. James for enlightening us with your wealth of knowledge, albeit that we just touched the cornerstones of your journey and experience. Your devotion to all things law, your students, and others that follow was insurmountable. Please know that you have made a difference to so many. Your patience, your knowledge, the perspective you gave us with regard to the law, we being human and so imperfect but perfect enough to follow your footsteps with amazingly subtle but strong guidance. Know that you have made a difference to, not only those that you have befriended but to all current and future practitioners. One leaf from your book can provide a library of resource, knowledge, and true ethics. I for one, am a better person to have known and be privileged to be taught by you. Will think of you throughout all that I do in life and law. Thank you, Mr. James. RIP".

We are deeply saddened by this news and I am sure it will be the same for many of you. Geoff's legacy will live on at CDU and in the wider community.

 Click here to see the latest death and funeral notices in the NT News My Tributes section.

Originally published as Tribute to Darwin lawyer and academic Geoff James