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ALA announces winner of its Queensland Civil Justice Award 2013
15th Feb 2013
2013The man who was the driving force behind the search and eventual coronial inquest into the disappearance of a 13-year-old Queensland boy has been announced as the winner of this year’s Australian Lawyers Alliance Civil Justice Award.
Peter Boyce, a lawyer at Butler McDermott Lawyers in Nambour, has just accepted his award at the Australian Lawyers Alliance Queensland Conference at the Sheraton Mirage on the Gold Coast, today.
Mr Boyce told a crowd of 360 lawyers and academics that he was honoured and proud to receive the award, which was presented in recognition of his involvement in the Daniel Morcombe case.
Mr Boyce said he was humbled by the fortitude of the Morcombe family in everything they were forced to endure and after so many years of not knowing, thankful that they were finally given the closure they needed to properly grieve their treasured son.
Daniel Morcombe, disappeared while waiting for a Nambour Connection Road bus on December 7, 2003.
Mr Boyce assisted with the search, supported the family emotionally, provided long hours of associated legal work and established a foundation in Daniel’s name to improve Queensland children’s safety.
(Daniel’s remains were found in bushland on August 13, 2011 after an eight-year investigation. This month, Brett Peter Cowan was committed to stand trial for the abduction and murder of the teenager.)
The Australian Lawyers Alliance issues civil justice awards, annually, in most jurisdictions.
The award recognises those that go beyond the call of duty in the pursuit of justice, freedom and the rights of the individual.
“Peter Boyce provided a lot of support to the Morcombe family, following Daniel’s disappearance,” Australian Lawyers Alliance Queensland President, Adam Tayler, said.
He was also one of the driving forces behind the eventual coronial inquest into Daniel’s disappearance that led to Daniel’s discovery, identification and the laying of charges against a potential alleged offender.
“The father of six was an ideal candidate for this award because of his dedication poring over evidence for hundreds of hours, as well as counselling the Morcombe family and helping to ensure better safety for Queensland children with the establishment of a new foundation,” ALA Queensland President, Adam Tayler, said.
My Boyce has also, responsibly, urged respect to due process from both the public and the media to ensure that Mr Cowan is given a fair trial,” Mr Tayler said.
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