Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock paid tribute to the judge, who practised at the Sydney Bar between 1960 and 1978. “On behalf of the Australian Government I extend deepest sympathy to John Lockhart’s family in particular his wife Juliet and his three children,” Ruddock said.

“I have known [Lockhart] for more than 30 years. He was one of the outstanding jurists Australia has produced. His work in trade practices and intellectual property brought lustre to the Federal Court and the Australian Competition Tribunal of which he was president from 1982-1999,” said Ruddock.

The Attorney praised his willingness to contribute even after he had retired from the bench. As well, he noted that Lockhart accepted the position of Deputy Chairman of the International Legal Services Advisory Council in 2004.

Lockhart was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1973 and retired from the Federal Court in 1999. Following his retirement from the Federal Court, he became Executive Director of the Asian Development Bank between 1999 and 2002, and a Member of the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organisation from 2002.