Justice Samuel Joshua Jacobs AO QC (1920–2011) was a highly respected lawyer and judge. After being compulsorily retired at age 70 in 1990, he was recalled and appointed as Royal Commissioner into the inquiry into the

State Bank of South Australia The State Bank of South Australia was a bank created in 1896 and owned by the Government of South Australia. The bank became the subject of a two-year South Australian Royal Commission upon collapse in 1991. The surviving part of the bank now ...

debt crisis.Most Worshipful Bro Sam Jacobs AO QC passes away
www.santfreemasons.org.au

Early life

Jacobs was born 6 December 1920 in the Adelaide suburb of Glenelg, the son of Sir Roland Jacobs. He was educated at

Scotch College, Adelaide Scotch College is an Independent school, independent, Uniting Church of Australia, Uniting Church, co-educational, Day school, day and boarding school, located on two adjacent campuses in Torrens Park, South Australia, Torrens Park and Mitcham, ...

(1929–1938) and the

University of Adelaide The University of Adelaide (informally Adelaide University) is a public research university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third-oldest university in Australia. The university's main campus is located on N ...

where he obtained his law degree in 1948 – his studies were interrupted by World War II.Honourable Samuel Joshua Jacobs AO QC
Oral Histories Interview, 23 May 2009, www.lawsocietysa.asn.au He entered private practice after graduation.

Career and achievements

He became a member of the Council of Law Society in 1957, a Queens Council in 1965 and was President of the Law Society of SA from 1970 to 1972. He was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of SA in 1973. He served in a wide range of organisations, including: * member of the Council of Governors of Scotch College from 1966 * member of the State Law Reform committee * member of the Board of Management of the Kindergarten Union of SA * associated with the work of the crippled Children’s Association * from 1966 to 1973 was a Director of the SA Gas Co. * member of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust * Hon. Colonel of the Adelaide University Regiment from 1979 * member of the University of Adelaide Council for 15 years * Deputy Chancellor of the University of Adelaide (1984–1993) Jacobs was named an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 1982 Queen's Birthday Honours List.Officer of the Order of Australia
14 June 1982, www.itsanhonour.gov.au He received the

Centenary Medal The Centenary Medal is an award which was created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the centenary of the Federation of Australia and to recognise "people who made a contribution to Australian society or go ...

in 2001.Centenary Medal
1 January 2001, www.itsanhonour.gov.au He was awarded honorary doctorates by the Universities of Adelaide and South Australia.Presentation for degree of Doctor of the University
25 March 1997, University of South Australia

Death

He died 11 October 2011, survived by four children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.Former Supreme Court justice dies
www.alumni.adelaide.edu.au

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jacobs, Sam 1920 births 2011 deaths People educated at Scotch College, Adelaide Lawyers from Adelaide Adelaide Law School alumni Officers of the Order of Australia Judges of the Supreme Court of South Australia 20th-century Australian judges