Yesterday (31 May), the legal profession turned out to farewell the outgoing chief justice James Spigelman. Today (1 June), the tributes flowed to his replacement, Tom Bathurst QC.

NSW Law Society president Stuart Westgarth described Bathurst as a "superb technician with commercial judgment second to none".

"Colleagues have referred to your ability to sum up facts and legal principles very quickly churning through large volumes of complex work easily and efficiently," Westgarth said.

Westgarth also went through some of the high-profile cases that Bathurst has been involved in as a barrister, including the C7 case, Sons of Gwalia and his recent matter before being announced as the new chief justice, advising former James Hardies directors in a legal stoush with ASIC.

The tennis prowess of Bathurst and his mother, Joan Hartigan, a three time winner of the Australian Open singles title and twice a Wimbledon semi-finalist, was also referenced.

NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith also spoke at the ceremony.