13/02/2026

Brisbane based barrister, Richard Douglas KC was today presented with the Australian Lawyers Alliance’s (ALA) Queensland Civil Justice Award recognising his lifelong commitment to protecting and promoting civil justice in Queensland.

The annual ALA Civil Justice Award recognises individuals or organisations who have displayed an outstanding commitment to the pursuit of justice. “Richard Douglas KC is a very deserving winner of our Civil Justice Award,” said ALA State President, Mr Peter Gibson.

“Richard is widely known as a principled advocate for justice and a leader within our profession.

“This award is not given for work on a single issue or case although Richard has been involved in many that would, on their own, justify recognition. Rather, it is awarded in acknowledgement of his extraordinary body of work for the ALA, the legal profession more broadly, and the community.”

While Richard has acted on both sides of the record, he has been counsel successfully in a number of prominent plaintiff cases in the Supreme Court of Queensland.

These include the well-known Gold Coast “taxi” case, French v QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd, which involved complex issues of liability, contributory negligence, and the assessment of damages for loss of dependency. Another standout matter is the K’gari ‘sandhill’ appeal, Queensland v Kelly, in which the Queensland Court of Appeal upheld the original judgment finding the State of Queensland liable for the catastrophic injuries suffered by the plaintiff at Lake Wabby on Fraser Island.

“In each of these cases, the plaintiffs were deserving — and Richard’s advocacy on their behalf was characteristically determined and fearless,” said Peter.

Previous winners of the Queensland Civil Justice Award include law firm founder Kerry Splatt, Braveheart founder Hetty Johnson AM, patient advocate Beryl Crosby, Sisters Inside CEO Debbie Kilroy and human rights barrister Stephen Keim SC. Mr Douglas KC was announced as the recipient of this award today at the ALA Queensland Conference on the Gold Coast.