Supreme Court Justice the Honourable Allan MacNaughton was born in Edinburgh and educated at Fettes College and the University of Edinburgh. He migrated to Australia in 1880, first living in Sydney where he was admitted as a barrister of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1882. During his period in New South Wales, he authored A synopsis of indictable offences, with their punishments which was published in 1885. He moved to Brisbane and was admitted to the Queensland bar in 1886, eventually settling in Townsville from 1890. Having acted as a judge for different courts in Northern Queensland from 1900, he was appointed a Judge of the District Court of Queensland in 1909, and served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland between 1922 and 1929. He died on May 8, 1937.

Queensland's Courts have a vital role in administering justice in Queensland. Queensland’s courts are in 130 locations, with additional sites used to hear matters as required.
Each court sits independently of the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General and Queensland Government,

The Supreme Court of Queensland was established in 1859 when the colony of Queensland was established. It is the highest court in Queensland, comprising a Trial Division and the Court of Appeal.