Vale: Dr Kristine Hanscombe KC
Following the recent death of alumna, barrister and King's Counsel Dr Kristine Hanscombe KC (BSc (Hons) 1972, LLB (Hons) 1989), Monash Law reflects with gratitude on a life of service, intellect and leadership, and on her enduring contribution to the Faculty, its students and the legal profession.
Dr Hanscombe's path to the law was anything but conventional. Before studying law at Monash, she worked as a researcher in pure mathematics and physics and later co-ran a bookshop while raising a young family. Returning to university in her 30s, she completed her law degree with honours and was admitted to the Victorian Bar in 1989. She took silk in 2003 and went on to build an exceptional career spanning administrative law, commercial litigation, equity, judicial review, government advisory work, Royal Commissions and major public inquiries.
Despite her achievements at the Bar, Dr Hanscombe never lost sight of the values that shaped her legal education.
A proud alumna of Springvale Legal Service through the Monash Law Clinical Program, she often reflected on the lessons she learned working alongside clients experiencing disadvantage and barriers to justice. The experience informed a professional philosophy that remained constant throughout her career: every matter matters, because every case represents a person's life, circumstances and hopes.
Her connection with Monash Law extended far beyond her time as a student. For many years, Dr Hanscombe served as a member of the Law School's External Professional Advisory Group and the Advisory Board for the Clinical Program. Through these roles, she helped strengthen the Faculty's connections with the legal profession and supported generations of students undertaking clinical legal education.
She remained a passionate advocate for clinical learning, believing that law students benefit enormously from experiences that place them in direct contact with clients and communities. She saw clinical legal education as essential to developing both professional competence and a meaningful understanding of the role lawyers play in society.
Dr Hanscombe's distinguished legal practice was matched by a strong commitment to access to justice. Throughout her career she worked on matters that sought to improve outcomes for people and communities who might otherwise struggle to have their voices heard. Her work in class actions and public law reflected a belief that the legal system should be accessible to all, regardless of personal circumstance or resources.
Monash Law students and graduates also benefited from her generosity as a mentor, advisor and speaker. In 2016, she returned to the University as a graduation speaker, sharing reflections drawn from her remarkable professional journey.
Dr Kristine Hanscombe KC at the Monash Law Postgraduate Prize Ceremony 2024.
Most recently, she delivered the keynote address at the 2024 Law Student Prize Ceremony, where she encouraged graduates to embrace possibility and remain open to unexpected opportunities.
"If you keep your mind open to new possibilities, you will find that unexpected things which cross your path pretty well all the time may be of real utility," she told students.
Dr Hanscombe concluded that presentation, not by speaking about personal achievement, but by recognising the communities that support learning and growth.
"Each of us here has been nourished by Monash; we share that," she said.
"I hope that what each of you has gained from your time here will continue to nourish you, and I wish each and every one of you a fulfilling and exciting time ahead."
Those words now stand as a fitting reflection of her own relationship with the University. Monash Law was shaped by Dr Hanscombe's wisdom, generosity and unwavering commitment to students, just as she was shaped by the opportunities and experiences she found here.
The Faculty extends its sincere condolences to Dr Hanscombe's family, friends, colleagues, former students and all who had the privilege of working with her. Her contribution to Monash Law, the legal profession and the pursuit of justice will be remembered with great respect and gratitude.