Thursday, March 16 2006 14:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Senior Supreme Court Advocate and former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabjee has been appointed an honorary member in the General Division of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to bilateral legal relations.

The award was announced today(Mar 16,2006) after approval by Australia's Governor-General Major General Michael Jeffery, according to a communique from the Australian embassy.

"The award recognises Mr Sorabjee's outstanding contribution to the development of closer links between Australia and India in the legal field," said Australia's High Commissioner John McCarthy.

He said Sorabjee's professional links with Australia's judiciary, law academics and other eminent legal figures continue to open opportunities for expanding the links between India and Australia.

On a visit to Australia in 2000, Sorabjee was an early advocate of the benefits for both India and Australia in using more of each other's superior court judgments for guidance in cases involving similar areas of law, the communique said.

In a recent services mission to India, led by Australia's Solicitor-General, Sorabjee's active involvement was vital to the mission's success, it said.

"Mr Sorabjee's support continues to assist Australia's International Legal Services Advisory Council in its work in developing Australia-India links in law and legal services," it said.