Chief Justice Catherine Holmes, who is one of the judges who granted Gerard Baden-Clay’s appeal, made the statement at a Christmas ceremony for the legal profession in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Addressing Attorney-General Cameron Dick and his opposition counterpart Ian Walker, Justice Holmes expressed appreciation on behalf of the judges for treating the court with “courtesy”.

She said both sides of politics had, particularly recently, “resisted any temptation to let political or populist considerations prevail over the need to respect the court’s integrity and independence”.

“The balance between the executive, the parliament and the judiciary is a delicate one, and underpins our democracy,” Justice Holmes said.

“While it may seem expedient in the short term for one part of the institution to abuse or attack another part, it ultimately has the capacity to damage or diminish the whole institution, which is democratic government.”

Holmes was one of the three appeal judges who, in a joint decision, downgraded former real estate agent Gerard Baden-Clay’s conviction for murdering wife Allison to manslaughter last week.

The state is seeking legal advice on a possible High Court appeal.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk won’t attend a public rally in support of an appeal and has urged caution amid fears of prejudicing the legal process.

Also speaking at the Christmas ceremony, Bar Association of Queensland president Christopher Hughes reiterated his defence of the Court of Appeal in the face of “unfair criticism”.

Hughes said that while barristers and others can’t be expected to be immune from public commentary, it was important that the commentary be “both reasoned and reasonable”.

– AAP