A senior lawyer has been removed from his position as chair of a New South Wales Bar committee after he questioned pronouns used by non-binary people.
Lindsay Ellison SC, who lists his own pronouns as ‘HeHaw HeHaw HeHaw and Ha Ha Ha’, was told this month by association president Ruth Higgins that he would be replaced as chair of the Succession and Protection Law committee.
Complaints had been made about Mr. Ellison’s conduct while he chaired a committee meeting in April, The Australian reported.
NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell had written a note advising lawyers on how to properly address people in court using pronouns such as Ms, Mr, Ms, Mx, Dr and Prof.
Ellison then questioned the pronoun ‘Mx’ in a meeting of the committee he chaired. Mx is used by those who identify as non-binary.
Lindsay Ellison SC, who lists his own pronouns as ‘HeHaw HeHaw HeHaw and Ha Ha Ha’, was told this month by NSW Bar president Ruth Higgins that he would be replaced as chair of the Law committee. Succession and Protection.
Ms Higgins called Mr Ellison after the meeting to discuss his “tone and content” after the complaints were raised.
During the call, Mr Ellison was reminded of the Bar’s LGBTQI “Principles of Inclusion” and it was agreed that he would step down as committee chair as he plans to retire in the next two months.
But shortly after their argument, Ellison changed his mind and emailed Higgins saying he would like to stay.
‘Firstly, I would like to chair the last two ‘Judges’ Conversations’ at the end of June. “These have been a hallmark of the committee’s three years and have been spectacularly successful,” he wrote in the email, the publication reported.
‘Secondly, the Chief Justice is rewriting Supreme Court Equity Practice Note 7 (List of Probate and Estates). Over the next two months I believe I can provide guidance and leadership in any contributions the committee can make.
“In those circumstances, the next two months provide an important opportunity to stay rather than leave.”
His bid to remain was rejected, and Higgins said he had already indicated he would submit his resignation.
“In light of your email below, it is necessary for me to exercise my discretion under Rule 4 of the Committee Term Guidelines to remove you as Committee Chair,” he responded.
“I regret that it was necessary for me to take this step, rather than proceed as discussed on our call.”
Ellison was called to the Bar in 1985 and promoted to senior counsel in 2005, according to his profile on the website of law firm Wardell Chambers.
“He practices primarily in equity and probate and has appeared in many significant New South Wales wills and probate cases,” his profile reads.
Ellison lists his preferred pronouns as ‘HeHaw’ and ‘Ha Ha’ on his profile on law firm Wardell Chambers’ website.
“He frequently lectures to barristers and solicitors, and occasionally judges, on aspects of law and practice.”
He also jokes about his outlaw interests on his profile, while his “preferred pronouns” of “HeHaw” and “Ha Ha” remain on the website.
‘You don’t want to achieve a work-life balance. Lindsay doesn’t smoke. She also doesn’t drink tea, coffee or alcohol. “Eat too much chocolate,” she reads.
“He doesn’t know anything about cars or sports. He’s one of the least interesting people you’ll ever meet.
Ellison was appointed chair of the Succession and Protection Law committee in 2021.
He has been replaced by Ian Davidson SC.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Wardell Chambers for further comment.
