From 1968 to 1973, Elizabeth Evatt worked at the England and Wales Law Commission under Lord Scarman.
16 Facts About Elizabeth Evatt
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In December 1972, Elizabeth Evatt was appointed as the first female Deputy President of the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission and retained this position until 1989.
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Between 1974 and 1977, Elizabeth Evatt chaired the Royal Commission on Human Relationships, producing recommendations which ultimately led to the enactment of the Family Law Act 1975 where no-fault divorce and the single ground of irreconcilable differences evidenced by twelve months separation were introduced into Australian family law.
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The Act established the Family Court of Australia, and Elizabeth Evatt was appointed as its inaugural Chief Justice holding this position from 1976 until 1988.
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In 1988 Elizabeth Evatt was appointed President of the Australian Law Reform Commission, a position she held until 1993.
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Elizabeth Evatt was the first Australian to be elected to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in 1992, serving as a member from 1993 to 2000.
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Between 1998 and 2007, Elizabeth Evatt served two consecutive, five-year terms as a judge of a tribunal of the World Bank that determines staffing disputes.
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Elizabeth Evatt was elected as a Commissioner of the International Committee of Jurists in April 2003.
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In 1988 Elizabeth Evatt was made Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, holding this post until 1994.
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In 1995 Elizabeth Evatt was commissioned by Senator Herron, the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, to review the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984.
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Elizabeth Evatt has been an outspoken advocate of issues relating to human rights in Australia, particularly women's rights.
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Elizabeth Evatt was a signatory to the Yogyakarta Principles in November 2006.
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Elizabeth Evatt was made an Officer of the Order of Australia on 14 June 1982, in recognition of services to the law, and was granted the status of Companion of the Order of Australia, at the Queen's Birthday honours on 12 June 1995.
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The Centre provides free legal advice to clients in the surrounding region, and Elizabeth Evatt serves as patron of the centre.
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Elizabeth Evatt served as Vice-President of the Foundation between 1982 and 1987.
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Elizabeth Evatt was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2001.