Roslyn Atkinson

Roslyn Gay Atkinson (born 30 November 1948 in Brisbane, Queensland) is a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, who served for 20 years from 1998 until her retirement in 2018. In 2002 she also became the Chairperson of the Queensland Law Reform Commission, and served in that role until her retirement in 2013.

As well as being responsible for the Yankee Doodles precedent, Justice Atkinson has also made two notable decisions in her capacity as member of the Queensland Legal Practice Tribunal.

Pre-judicial career

Justice Atkinson began her career as a teacher, from 1970 to 1974. She then became an actor and theatre administrator from 1974 to 1978, before becoming a lecturer of literature, Drama, Film and Australian Studies at the Queensland Institute of Technology.

In 1985 she entered the legal profession by becoming an articled clerk at Feez Ruthning (which later merged with what is now Allens). The following year she was an Associate to the Honourable Justice Brennan, then a Justice of the High Court of Australia. She was admitted to the bar in 1987 and practised there until her appointment to the Supreme Court.

Judicial career

Yankee Doodles

Justice Atkinson is perhaps most famous for her judgment in the case of Yankee Doodles v Blemvale Pty Ltd, an oft-quoted and highly influential case in Queensland which shaped the law relating to when courts will exercise their discretion whether to set aside default judgments against defendants.

The plaintiff had obtained judgment for recovery of possession of land, mesne profits and costs, and the defendant had made application to have the judgment set aside.