Qld judge pokes fun at judicial stoush

A retiring Queensland judge has made light of tensions in the judiciary at a farewell ceremony, breaking into song in a tongue-in-cheek effort to "ease" them.

Retiring District Court Judge Hugh Botting drew smiles from members of the legal fraternity at his Brisbane valedictory ceremony on Friday when he sang a version of traditional song The Parting Glass.

Judge Botting, whose love of music and theatre was a theme of the ceremony, said he had been informed there had been some tensions in the court building recently.

"I know not of course whether that be so or not," he said.

"But in case there are such tensions, I would like to make an effort by resorting to song to ease them."

Embattled Chief Justice Tim Carmody was absent and sent his regrets.

He is expected to return from extended sick leave on Monday but his future remains uncertain after entering negotiations with the government to resign, amid escalating tensions with other judges.

Judge Botting distanced himself from the stoush in his farewell speech and said he would be leaving the court in the same way he found it in 1989 - "it was well-led, it was a happy court and a hard-working court".

He took aim at harsh one-punch sentencing laws which he said weren't a deterrent and often compounded the tragedy of the offence by devastating the lives of offenders.

Criticism of the judiciary as elitist and an "old boys' club" also came under scrutiny as Judge Botting outlined his own modest background.

"I suspect those of you who know me well and those of you who know my colleagues would know how stupid such characterisations are," he said.

Meanwhile Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath confirmed her expectation that Justice Carmody was set to return to work.

"As I understand it the chief justice's leave ends today and he'll be returning to work on Monday," she said after the ceremony.

Judge Botting will be replaced by Director of Public Prosecutions Tony Moynihan.

Opposition justice spokesman Ian Walker called on Ms D'Ath to either accept or reject Justice Carmody's "gracious" offer to resign, rather than let talks drag on.

"Is there a deal or is there not a deal? That is the simple decision before her at the moment and she needs to make that decision quickly," he said.

"It's unacceptable for the matter to bumble on, and on, and on."