Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA ACT 1979 - SECT 9

    Whenever:

  (a)   the Chief Justice is absent from Australia or is unable or unavailable to perform the duties of his or her office; or

  (b)   there is a vacancy in the office of Chief Justice;

the next senior Justice who is in Australia and is able and willing to do so shall perform the duties, and may exercise the powers, of the Chief Justice, and shall, during any period of absence of the Chief Justice from Australia or during a vacancy in the office of Chief Justice, be designated Acting Chief Justice.