17 Facts About Peter Underwood

Peter Underwood was the Chief Justice of Tasmania from 2004 to 2008, having been a judge of the Supreme Court of Tasmania from 1984.

Peter Underwood served in the Royal Australian Navy first as a National Serviceman and then in the Reserve as a sub-lieutenant.

Peter Underwood graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1960, and practised law in Hobart for the law firm Murdoch, Clarke, Cosgrove and Drake.

Peter Underwood was a distinguished trial advocate for over twenty years.

Peter Underwood was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court in August 1984.

Peter Underwood managed and taught postgraduate courses in advocacy and Supreme Court practice through the University of Tasmania's Centre for Legal Practice, and continued to teach advocacy in all states of Australia with the Advocacy Institute of Australia.

Peter Underwood taught for The College of Law in Hong Kong and London.

Peter Underwood had a special interest in the reform of civil procedure.

Peter Underwood pioneered case management in Tasmania in 1989 and was instrumental in the development and use of technology as an aid to judicial work.

Peter Underwood served as chairman of the executive committee of the board of governors of the Friends' School from 1989 to 1994, and was chairman of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Board from 1997 to 2006.

In 2001, Peter Underwood was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of his services to legal education, the arts and the administration of justice.

In June 2002 Peter Underwood was made an Officer of the Order of Australia.

Peter Underwood was appointed to the office of Chief Justice of Tasmania on 2 December 2004.

Peter Underwood was a deputy president of the Australian Defence Force Disciplinary Appeal Tribunal and was the President of the Australian Institute of Judicial Administration from 2002 to September 2004.

Peter Underwood concluded that Bartlett's promise to give up power was not relevant, since the decision to invite a person to form government was solely within the governor's prerogative.

Since Bartlett still held his commission as premier, Peter Underwood was of the view that Bartlett was obliged to test the support for his government on the floor of the House of Assembly.

On 24 September 2012, Peter Underwood's term was extended to 1 April 2016.