Born on March 10, 1949 in Castlemaine, Michael was the youngest of the five sons of Jack and Anne Adams. He attended St Mary's Primary School, St Gabriel's Secondary College and then Castlemaine High School, where he did leaving and matriculation.

After finishing school Adams got a job in the Criminal Law Branch of the Crown Solicitor's Office. While there he began the Articled Clerks' Course at RMIT and graduated in 1972, winning the Supreme Court Prize for best student.

Before graduating he had moved to the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, where he worked as a draftsman and also as the legal assistant to Attorneys-General Sir George Reid QC and Vernon Wilcox QC.

On the recommendation of Sir George Reid QC, Adams became the Associate to Sir Alistair Adam and remained with Sir Alistair until his retirement as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Sir Alistair had an enormous influence on Adams and his later career as a barrister. He taught Adams how to become an equity lawyer and use the law in a remedial context. This allowed Adams to apply his creative nature to his practice of the law. Adams developed a deep understanding of equity and its purposes. In 1974 Adams was called to the Bar and read in the chambers of W. F. Ormiston (later Justice Ormiston of the Victorian Supreme Court, Court of Appeal). At the Bar Adams specialised in public and constitutional law, equity and commercial law in the Supreme, Federal and High Courts. He always had a particular interest and expertise in the law relating to persons with legal disabilities such as children and those demented or mentally ill.

Some of the most challenging work he had at the Bar was a series of briefs from the Victorian Government relating to a personality-disordered prisoner, Gary David. In response to the problems of dealing with David in the corrections system, Adams advised on and drafted the unprecedented Community Protection Act 1990, enacted by Parliament to provide for the continued detention of a prisoner after the expiry of a prison term.

Adams took silk in 1992 and enthusiastically participated in the life and organisation of the Bar. He was a member of the Bar Council for more than 10 years. In 1987 he drafted a constitution for the Victorian Bar and then convened the meeting for its implementation in 1992. Before this, the Bar had been ruled by "Counsel Rules" that had long outlived their usefulness.

Adams was also involved in the advisory committee that established the Essoign Club, which provides an environment for barristers to socialise with other members of the Bar and the Bench. A founding member, Adams also served as a director and chairman. He was one of the first to be honoured with life membership.

Adams stood out among his peers and colleagues not only for his ability as an advocate but also his mode of dress that ensured he was noticed. He wore a Mickey Mouse tie and had a pop-out Disney character watch. His chambers in Suite A on the second floor of Four Courts Chambers were filled with beautiful artworks, children's toys, duck-calling devices, riding whips and other unexpected ephemera, not forgetting the piano and Nellie and then Lizzie, his kelpies in residence.

The parties thrown by the members of Suite A were notorious, and not just for the quality and quantity of the wine and spirits. The food was extravagant and plentiful, much of it prepared by Adams himself. But above all else the company was always electric and stimulating. After a few savage gins everyone usually knew exactly what was on Adams' mind.

Despite his outward appearance of being unconventional, everything Adams did as a barrister was directed to assisting his clients and supporting the courts in their role in legal disputes. His guidance was always firm and to the point and given with a view to being fair to all concerned.

In 1995 Adams was appointed Chief Magistrate of Victoria. He quickly implemented fundamental changes to the way that the Magistrates' Court administered justice in the state. In particular Adams was concerned for the court, where possible, to address issues that lead to offending, especially where the persons involved have some disability or disadvantage in the community.

Adams was involved in introducing into the court system the disabilities officer, the Koori liaison officer and the early-intervention drug treatment program. Adams was also instrumental in the establishment of the Koori Court. Adams was assisted in the development of these changes by many people and he always acknowledged the contributions of all of them.

As Chief Magistrate Adams initiated and made an apology to the Aboriginal people on behalf of the Magistrates' Court for the treatment they had received from the justice system in the past. The apology expressed a commitment by the Magistrates' Court to embrace the cultural and spiritual values of all Aboriginal people to ensure that they will receive equal treatment under the law. This was the first time any court in Australia had made any apology to the Aboriginal people for their treatment in the justice system.

Also as Chief Magistrate Adams put a great deal of thought and effort into the planning and construction of the Children's Court. He saw this as one of his most important achievements. The building was designed to physically separate the protective functions of the court from its criminal functions. A beautiful, light-filled structure adorned with artworks commissioned by Adams for the building, it is another example of Adams' concern for vulnerable people in the justice system and his determination to provide an environment where equality of treatment might be possible.

Adams resigned as Chief Magistrate in 2000 and returned to the bar in 2002, and practised until 2010 until he retired.

Outside the law Adams had a range of interests too numerable to mention. He was a brilliant cook and a patient gardener with a vast knowledge of roses. He loved Australian birds and seemed to know them all. When it came to The Phantom it might be said that he was a completest. Even so, he still had a contest with his brothers for the title of the most knowledgeable on the subject. He didn't just read comics: he read widely and was open to suggestions from anyone on what book to tackle next.

Adams was a generous host to all who attended his home. His flat at Mathoura Road and his house at Fairbairn Road in Toorak were locations for continual gatherings. His table was always packed with an unlikely assortment of people, overflowing with wonderful food and wine and endless discussions covering every conceivable topic.

The welcome at Fairbairn Road was even warmer after he met and married his beautiful wife Jan. Together they managed to ensure that nobody was left out of the proceedings. Jan's family, including her children and grandchildren (and her dog Holly), were embraced by Adams without reservation. The Adams' move to Gisborne only increased the area that they had to enjoy their expanding menagerie of horses, chooks, pigs, geese, ducks, dogs and cats. Adams also established a sizeable rose garden there as well.

Toward the end of his long illness with cancer, when it was clear that he did not have long to go, Michael managed to see most of the people he loved, an experience for which he was very grateful. He died peacefully at home with Jan at his side, and is also survived by Jan's daughters Sally and Jane, Jan's grandchildren Mikey, Olivia, Megan, Tyson, Tessa and Bridie and Jan's great-grandchildren Tilly, Grace, Ava and Skyla.

The Age