Mr Sinclair, who died aged 89, was born in Brisbane and most recently lived in Mosman, according to a notice in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Mr Cripps was appointed as one of the foundation judges of the Land and Environment Court in 1980.

In 1985 he was appointed chief judge, a position he held until his appointment to the NSW Court of Appeal.

According to a release by the Land and Environment Court, Mr Cripps was instrumental in shaping the court as a specialist environmental court and in developing a body of environmental jurisprudence.

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Mr Cripps was also influential in securing legal aid for environmental matters and funding for the Environmental Defenders Office, the first such aid for a community legal centre in NSW.

“His decisions upheld the public's right of access to environmental information, right to participate in decision-making, and access to the courts,” the court said. “He has left an important legacy for present and future generations.”