NSW barrister Lindsay Ellison sacked as head of major legal committee after pronoun blunder
- Mr Ellison questioned use of 'Mx' pronoun
- He was stood down as committee chair this month
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A senior barrister has been stood down from his role as the chair of a NSW Bar Association 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 by the association's president Ruth Higgins this month he would be replaced as chair of the Succession and Protective Law committee.
Complaints had been made about Mr Ellison's conduct while he chaired a meeting of the committee in April, The Australian reported.
NSW Supreme Court Chief Justice Andrew Bell had written a note advising lawyers on how to properly address people in court using pronouns like Ms, Mr, Mrs, Mx, Dr and Prof.
Mr Ellison then questioned the 'Mx' pronoun in a committee meeting he was chairing. 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 by the NSW Bar Association's president Ruth Higgins this month he would be replaced as chair of the Succession and Protective Law committee
Ms Higgins phoned Mr Ellison after the meeting to discuss his 'tone and content' after complaints were made.
During the call, Mr Ellison was reminded of the Bar's LGBTQI 'Principles of Inclusiveness' and it was agreed he would step down as committee chair as he plans to retire in the next two months.
But shortly after their discussion, Mr Ellison changed his mind and emailed Ms Higgins saying he'd like to stay on.
'Firstly, I would like to chair the final two 'Judges Talks' in late June. These have been a hallmark for the three years of the committee and have been spectacularly successful,' he wrote in the email, the publication reported.
'Secondly, the Supreme Court Practice Note Equity 7 (Succession and Probate List) is being rewritten by the Chief Judge. Over the next two months I believe I can provide guidance and leadership in any contribution the committee may make.
'In those circumstances, the next two months provide an important opportunity to stay rather than go.'
His attempt to stay on was rejected, with Ms Higgins saying he had already indicated he would send in his resignation.
'In light of your email below, it is necessary for me to exercise my discretion under rule 4 of the Committee Tenure Guidelines to remove you as chair of the committee,' she wrote back.
'I regret that it has been necessary for me to take this step, instead of proceeding as discussed on our call.'
Mr 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 practises principally in Equity and Probate and has appeared in many leading NSW Wills and Estates cases,' his profile reads.
Mr Ellison lists his preferred pronouns as 'HeHaw' and 'Ha Ha' on his profile on the website of law firm Wardell Chambers
'He frequently lectures barristers and solicitors, and occasionally Judges, on aspects of law and practice.'
He also jokes about his interests outside of law on his profile, while his 'preferred pronouns' of 'HeHaw' and 'Ha Ha' remain on the website.
'He does not wish to achieve a work/life balance. Lindsay doesn’t smoke. Nor does he drink tea, coffee or alcohol. He eats too much chocolate,' it reads.
'He knows nothing about cars or sport. He is one of the least interesting persons you might ever meet.'
Mr Ellison was appointed to chair of the Succession and Protective Law committee in 2021.
He has been replaced by Ian Davidson SC.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Wardell Chambers for further comment.
