History

Murray Chambers was founded in 1984 following a chance conversation at a Christmas drinks function between Brian Hayes KC and Peter Eriksen. Brian was planning to leave Norman Waterhouse and Mutton to go to the Bar at the time, and he shared his vision of establishing a new chambers with Peter, who was then a partner at Reilly Ahern and Kerin. They were standing on the pavement outside Peter’s office on Coglin Street at the time, and they spotted a ‘For Lease’ sign on a nearby bluestone building further up Coglin Street. Intrigued, they arranged a viewing the following Monday, signed the lease, and set about filling the offices with new members. That spontaneous moment laid the foundation for what became one of Adelaide’s most respected chambers. The original seven members of Murray Chambers were: Brian Hayes KC, Anthony Besanko KC, Peter Eriksen, Jack Costello, Rick Halliday, Denys Simpson, and Richard Evans.

Back Row - Peter Eriksen, Jack Costello, Brian Hayes KC, Rick Halliday
Seated - Denys Simpson, Richard Evans, Anthony Besanko KC

Brian Hayes KC, Peter Eriksen and Rick Halliday

Murray Chambers stands proudly at 12 Coglin Street, Adelaide: a site steeped in history and character. The building was constructed in the early 1880s by Joseph Bartholomew Siebert Snr, who migrated to Australia in 1865 from the Kingdom of Hanover, which then formed part of the German Confederation. After a brief stay in Queensland, Joseph settled in Adelaide in 1867, drawn by its milder climate and growing demand for skilled tradespeople.
 
Joseph established a carpentry and building business near Gouger Street, contributing to the construction of several notable structures, including the Supreme Court Hotel, various shopfronts, and the Western Wing of Christian Brothers’ College. His workshop was a versatile space — milling timber, taking on building contracts, and, as was common for carpenters of the time, crafting coffins when work was quiet.
 
By the turn of the decade, Joseph had shifted his focus to undertaking. An advertisement from 1880 in the Express and Telegraph announced his funeral services, complete with hearses and coaches for hire. He became a familiar figure in Adelaide — known for his thick German accent, generous nature, and civic involvement as a long-serving City Councillor.

Joseph’s sudden death in 1892 left behind his wife, Elizabeth Siebert, and three sons: John (24), Francis (15), and Vincent (17). As John had only recently become involved in the family business, it was Elizabeth who stepped forward to lead. In an era when women rarely ran businesses — let alone funeral parlours — she managed operations and conducted funerals herself until her sons were ready to take over. Thanks to Elizabeth’s quiet determination, the Siebert family business endured and evolved.
 
In 1911, Francis Siebert opened a second funeral parlour on Wakefield Street, which remains in operation today. The Coglin Street premises were eventually closed by Vincent around 1914, but the legacy of the original building lives on.

Early Life and Education

Born on 27 September 1863 at Murray Park, Magill, Sir George John Robert Murray was the son of Alexander Borthwick Murray, a prominent sheep breeder and politician, and Margaret Tinline. His early education took him from John L. Young’s Adelaide Educational Institution to the Royal High School in Edinburgh, and then to Saint Peter’s College in Adelaide, where he excelled both academically and in sport—particularly cricket and rowing.
 
Awarded a scholarship for his outstanding matriculation results, Murray enrolled at the University of Adelaide in 1880, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1883 with first-class honours. He then won the prestigious South Australian Scholarship, which enabled him to study law at Trinity College, Cambridge. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1887.

Legal Career

Murray joined the English Bar at the Inner Temple, London in 1888. However he soon returned to Adelaide, where he was admitted to practice in 1889. Murray co-founded the firm Murray Magarey with William Ashley Magarey and quickly built a reputation for his clarity of thought, sharp wit, and mastery of equity law.
 
In 1906, he became the first University of Adelaide graduate to be appointed King’s Counsel. He joined the Supreme Court of South Australia in 1912 and was elevated to Chief Justice in 1916, a position he held until his death in 1942. He also served as Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia, frequently acting as Governor and undertaking a wide range of vice-regal duties.
 
In 1917, Murray was honoured with a knighthood, receiving the title Sir George Murray as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG). Later, in 1933, he was also appointed a Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, recognising his significant contributions to charitable causes.

Legal Reform and Education

As Chief Justice, Sir George was instrumental in modernising court procedures and was a driving force behind the establishment of the Law Society of South Australia. He believed strongly in the importance of legal education and professional standards.
 
His commitment to education extended to the University of Adelaide, where he served on the Council for over 50 years and was elected Chancellor six times between 1916 and 1942. He was deeply involved in university governance and gave generously, including major donations to scholarships, building funds, and student facilities.

Legacy

Sir George died on 18 February 1942, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, service, and reform. When Probate was granted, his estate was valued at the princely sum of £225,700 (equivalent to around $20 million AUD in 2024). From his estate, the University of Adelaide received a specific bequest of £86,000 (equivalent to around $8 million AUD in 2024). His extensive personal library was also shared between the University and the Law Society, which named its library in his honour.
 
Adding to his legend, Sir George is rumoured to be the ‘Supreme Court Ghost’. During renovations in 2018-19, workers and security staff reported unexplained activity in Court Room 11. A psychic medium claimed the source was none other than Sir George himself, displeased with the redesign of his former courtroom. Whether fact or folklore, the tale reflects the enduring presence of a man whose passion for the law and public service shaped South Australia’s legal landscape.

Sir George was a reformer and a champion of legal education, leaving a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire the Chambers that bears his name.