News & Events | Victorian Bar

Latest News & Events

7Jan

News

Free legal support available for those affected by the Victorian bushfires

Disaster Legal Help Victoria is a collaboration between Victoria Legal Aid, the Federation of CommunityLegal Centres, the Law Institute of Victoria, the Victorian Bar and Justice Connect.

24Jan

In Brief

In Brief Issue #947

As the summer break draws to a close, we know that many of you have had a less than relaxing time over the past few weeks. Many of you have been working through the break with clients or helping with some of the work here at the Bar. I also know that some of you are CFA members or have volunteered in other ways, helping with firefighting and with relief efforts. Unfortunately, a number of our members have experienced the devasting impact of the fires, and just one of the stories that have been retold is this extraordinary account by Daniel Cash of helping to save a family property.

17Jan

In Brief

In Brief Issue #946

The President's/CEO's Message will return on 24 January. Updated notices on events and opportunities for our members are below.

10Jan

In Brief

In Brief Issue #945

The Bar’s bushfire response

With bushfires again devastating Victoria and other states, it is difficult to celebrate the beginning of 2020 without thinking about the individuals and communities, towns, farms, bushland and wildlife affected by these terrible events.

I am proud of, and humbled by, the Bar’s response through Disaster Legal Help Victoria - our alliance with Victoria Legal Aid, the Federation of Community Legal Centres, the Law Institute of Victoria and Justice Connect - to help with pro bono legal support to those affected. Within the first 24 hours, more than 60 members of the Bar had registered on the Disaster Legal Help site – the vast majority of the first registrants. You can still do so through this link. Victoria Legal Aid is coordinating requests for assistance from the public with practitioners with the appropriate experience who have registered on the site.

20Dec

In Brief

In Brief Issue #944

Cyber security at the Bar

I am happy to report that the new password policy implemented earlier this year has led to a notable improvement to the safety of the VicBar email system.

Like all organisations, the Victorian Bar is at constant risk of cyberattacks and phishing attempts. While it can be irritating to update your password on a regular basis, BCL’s statistics show that the new password policy implemented this year has been highly effective in foiling the hackers.

We all have a part to play in keeping our IT systems safe. Please continue to keep up your guard against suspicious emails, links and attachments. BCL will continue to monitor the dark web and undertake testing to try to ensure the security of the systems used by our members.

20Dec

News

Obituary & Funeral Notice - Richard Cook

Bar Roll No: 1316

Richard Cook passed away on Thursday 19th December 2019 at the age of 70 years.

Funeral service: 2:00pm on Friday 27th December at All Saints Anglican Church, Chapel Street, East St Kilda, followed by a wake.

13Dec

In Brief

In Brief Issue #943

Reflecting on 2019

2019 has been a year of great achievement at the Bar. We’ve welcomed 125 new colleagues and celebrated the appointment of 19 of our members to the bench. But it’s also been a year of reflection for many of us.

13Dec

News

Opening of the Legal Year 2020

Events in Melbourne and Geelong, 28 January to 5 February 2020

11Dec

News

Obituary & Funeral Arrangements - Robert Todd AM

Bar Roll No: 583

Retired Victorian Bar member Robert Todd AM passed away on 9 December 2019 at the age of 87 years.

A celebration of Robert’s life will be held on Tuesday 17 December at 11am at the Church of St John the Baptist, 45 Constitution Avenue, Reid, Canberra. All are welcome.

6Dec

In Brief

In Brief Issue #942

What do government solicitors need from barristers?

When schedules get busy, time is precious and budgets are tight, it is important to focus on what matters most to clients. This week, Wendy Harris QC and the Bar hosted more than 30 solicitors from the VGSO at a networking event to help the government solicitors get to know more barristers, and for the Bar to gain a deeper insight into how the VGSO works and what the VGSO and its clients need from those they instruct.