An Honorary Member is an Admitted Member on whom Council bestows the special honour of life membership to the Society.
The criteria which may be considered when determining whether to bestow upon a person honorary membership of the Society, which were adopted by the Executive in February 1993, are as follows:
- Persons who, irrespective of length of membership, have made an exceptional contribution to the Society or the legal profession in this State.
- Members who have served actively on Council or any Committee of the Society for a substantial period of years.
- Persons who may not hold or have held membership of the Society but who have made an exceptional contribution to the Society.
- Any Member who may have obtained State or National eminence, such that the wellbeing of the Society would be enhanced by that person being accorded honorary membership.
In 2002, the Executive amended the criteria to add that any past President of the Society who was appointed to the bench would be made an Honorary Member at the time of their retirement.
The below is a list of Honorary Members of the Society.