The Honourable Sir John Robert Kerr (PC) AK KCMG CVO

John Kerr served as an additional Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory from 1970 - 1972.

Justice Kerr graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree with First Class Honours from Sydney University in 1936. He was also awarded the University Medal.

Justice Kerr was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1938 and served in the 2nd Australian Imperial Forces from 1942 - 1946. Justice Kerr was the first Principal of the Australian School of Pacific Administration from 1946 - 1948 and was an Organising Secretary of the South Pacific Commission in 1948.

Justice Kerr was appointed as a Queen's Counsel in 1953.

Justice Kerr was a Member of the New South Wales Bar Council from 1960 - 1964 and Vice President of the New South Wales Bar Association from 1962 - 1963 and President in 1963. Justice Kerr was also Vice President of the Law Council of Australia from 1962 - 1964 and President from 1965 - 1966. Justice Kerr was also President of the Law Association for Asia and the Western Pacific from 1966 - 1970.

Justice Kerr was President of the Australian Industrial Relations Society from 1960 - 1963, President of the New South Wales Marriage Guidance Council from 1961 - 1962 and a Member of the Medical Board of New South Wales from 1963 - 1965. Justice Ker was also a Member of the Board and Council on New Guinea Affairs from 1964 - 1971.

Justice Kerr was appointed as a Justice of the Commonwealth Industrial Court and Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory from 1966 - 1972. During this time Justice Kerr was Deputy President of the Trade Practices Tribunal, Deputy President of the Copyright Tribunal and a Member of the Courts of Marine Enquiry.

Justice Kerr was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales from 1972 - 1974, Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales from 1973 - 1974 and Governor-General of Australia from 1974 - 1977.

Justice Kerr was awarded a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1966 and was promoted to a Knight of that Order in 1974. He was awarded a Knight of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in 1974. He was also made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1975 and in 1976 was made a Knight of the Order of Australia. Justice Kerr was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1976 and a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 1977. He was also appointed as a Privy Councillor in 1977.