Leycester Meares

Charles Leycester Devenish Meares
Born	(1909-01-16)16 January 1909 Sydney, New South Wales
Died	Kirribilli, New South Wales
Nationality	Australian
Education	Newington College University of Sydney
Occupation	Solicitor, Barrister, Queen's Counsel, Judge
Title	The Honourable Leycester Meares AC, CMG, QC

(Charles) Leycester Devenish Meares AC CMG QC (16 January 1909 – 5 August 1994) was an Australian judge, patron of the arts and chairman and benefactor of the national child safety organisation Kidsafe.

Early life

Leycester Meares was born in Sydney and attended Newington College (1924-1926). In 1927 he went up to the University of Sydney and graduated in law in 1932.

Legal career

Meares was admitted to the NSW Bar in 1932 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1954. In 1967 he was named as an acting judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. The position was made permanent in 1969. Other legal positions held included president of the Martial Appeals Tribunal, president of the New South Wales Medico-Legal Society, president of the Australian Bar Association and chairman of the NSW Law Reform Commission.

War service

Meares served with the Australian Army in World War II, attained the rank of temporary lieutenant colonel and was mentioned in despatches.

Community involvement

He served as chairman of the National Advisory Council for the Handicapped, and was foundation chairman of Kidsafe from 1979.

Honours

• Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George - 1978, for service to the community, especially to the handicapped.
• Companion of the Order of Australia - 1985, for distinguished public service to the Australian honours system and for continued distinguished service in the field of social welfare.