French sworn in as Chief Justice

Robert French replaces Murray Gleeson who retired last week.

Robert French has been sworn in as Chief Justice of the High Court at a special sitting of the court in Canberra.

Justice French is the first Western Australian to head the court and is well known for his work on Aboriginal rights.

He chaired the Native Title Tribunal for four years and helped establish the Aboriginal Legal Service in WA in the 1970s.

Law Council of Australia president Ross Ray paid tribute to Justice French's early career.

"Your law firm practice was extraordinarily diverse and you did a substantial amount of work without fee," he said.

"You found it hard to say no.

"It's said that Your Honour took to a new level the tradition in the Australian legal profession of putting back into the profession and into the administration of justice significant voluntary and informal pro bono work."

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland told the ceremony, Justice French has an outstanding reputation as a jurist.

"You are renown for combining your technical legal excellence with a wide interest in broader social and economic issues," he said.

"As a result of your experience at the National Native Title Tribunal, Your Honour has had first hand exposure to cultural diversity and the particular problems facing Indigenous Australians."