VICTORIAN BAR

VICTORIAN BAR

The professional association of barristers providing
strong, independent legal representation.

About Us

BRIEFING A BARRISTER

BRIEFING
A BARRISTER

Engaging a barrister is straightforward - whether for advice,
mediation, arbitration or litigation, we’ll guide you through
the process.

Brief a Barrister

EXCELLENCE IN THE LAW

EXCELLENCE
IN THE LAW

Specialist advocates, advisors and strategists providing
proactive advice and representation in the courts,
tribunals, mediations and arbitrations.

What is a Barrister

LEADERSHIP IN THE PROFESSION

LEADERSHIP IN
THE PROFESSION

Advancing the rule of law, improving access to justice
and promoting the efficient administration of justice.

Community Engagement

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Latest News & Events

All News & Events
14Aug
News

Appointments - Sarah Dawes, Scott Johns QC, Dr Martine Marich & David Sexton

Judges of the County Court

The Governor in Council today appointed as Judges of the County Court: Her Honour Magistrate Sarah Kingsley Dawes, Scott Robert Johns QC and Dr Martine Marich of the Law Firm Dr Martine Marich & Associates Pty Ltd; and David Andrew Sexton – Mr Sexton to commence on 3 September, 2018.

The profession will extend Welcomes in the Ceremonial Courtroom, Court 3-3 of the County Court of Victoria, 250 William Street Melbourne respectively on:

Thursday 16 August 2018 (THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW) at 9:15 am – to Her Honour Magistrate Dawes;

Thursday 23 August 2018 at 9:15 am – to Scott Johns QC;

Thursday 30 August 2018 at 9:15 am – to Dr Martine Marich;

Wednesday 12 September 2018 at 9:15 am – to David Sexton

All counsel who are able to do so are asked to attend, robed (without wigs).

14Aug
News

Appointments - Michael Mcnamara, Jacinta Studham, Jade Bott, Russell Kelly & Michelle Mykytowycz

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria

The Governor in Council has today appointed as Magistrates: Michael McNamara, Jacinta Studham, Jade Bott, Russell Kelly and Michelle Mykytowycz.

14Aug
News

Farewell - The Honourable Justice Anthony Max North

Federal Court of Australia

The Profession will extend a Farewell to The Honourable Justice Anthony Max North at a ceremonial sitting of the Full Court in Court 1 of the Federal Court of Australia on Level 8 of the Owen Dixon Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 305 William Street, Melbourne on:

Friday 7 September 2018 at 9.30 am

All counsel who are able to do so are asked to attend, robed (wigs are not worn in the Federal Court).

10Aug
In Brief

In Brief Issue #877

Update on Law Council’s Equitable Briefing Policy

Earlier in the year, I asked members to demonstrate their commitment to equitable briefing by adopting the Law Council of Australia’s Equitable Briefing Policy. The policy, which has been endorsed by the Bar, aims to achieve a nationally consistent approach towards bringing about cultural and attitudinal change within the legal profession with respect to gender briefing practices.

9Aug
News

Victoria Law Foundation latest news

The latest news from the Victoria Law Foundation can be read here. 

9Aug
News

Obituary - Richard Henry Searby AO, QC

BAR ROLL NO: 562 

It is with deep regret that the Bar Council informs members of the death yesterday, Wednesday 8 August 2018, of Richard Henry Searby AO, QC. Richard was 87 (born 23 July 1931).

The Funeral in Celebration of the Life of Richard Searby will be at St John’s Anglican Church Toorak, 86 Clendon Rd, Toorak on Wednesday 15 August 2018 at 10:30 am.

9Aug
News

Farewell - The Honourable Justice Richard Tracey AM, RFD

Federal Court of Australia

The Profession will extend a Farewell to The Honourable Justice Richard Ross Sinclair Tracey, AM, RFD at a ceremonial sitting of the Full Court in Court 1 of the Federal Court of Australia on Level 8 of the Owen Dixon Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 305 William Street, Melbourne on:

Friday 17 August 2018 at 9.30 am

All counsel who are able to do so are asked to attend, robed (wigs are not worn in the Federal Court).

9Aug
News

Appointments & Welcomes - Magistrates Kieran Gilligan and Vicky Prapas

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria

The Governor in Council, on Tuesday 31 July 2018, appointed Kieran Gilligan and Vicky Prapas Magistrates. Their Honours were sworn-in privately by Chief Justice Ferguson on Monday 6 August 2018.

3Aug
In Brief

In Brief Issue #876

Hong Kong Conference

If you haven’t yet booked, now is the time to commit to next month’s Hong Kong 2018 International Commercial Law Conference to be held by the Victorian Bar and the Commercial Bar Association.

31Jul
News

Appointments - Kieran Gilligan, Stephen Lee, Vicky Prapas, Olivia Trumble and Nahrain Warda

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria

The Governor in Council has today appointed as Magistrates: Kieran Gilligan, Stephen Lee, Vicky Prapas, Olivia Trumble and Nahrain Warda.

27Jul
In Brief

In Brief Issue #875

In Brief Holiday Edition 

A fortnight ago, I updated members on the Bar Council’s review of our pro bono duty barrister schemes with Victoria’s courts and tribunals. Last week, I updated members on work being done by the Bar Council to drive an increase in the volume of direct briefing work available to members.
 

Constitutional Reform

This week, I want to update members on the status of the Bar Council’s governance review and to foreshadow the imminent release of a discussion paper and survey to canvas the opinions of members in relation to the election of the Bar Council and the tenure of Bar Councillors.

27Jul
News

Victorian Bar Media Release - Victorian Bar leads the nation in gender equity measures

The Victorian Bar is leading the Australian State Bars in gender equity measures, providing optimism that much-needed further improvement is underway.