Closer ties with the Indian Bar

Over a lunch in the Essoign Club, Victorian Bar President, Dr Matt Collins QC, Junior Vice-President, Simon Marks QC, senior member of Bar Council, Jacinta Forbes QC and CEO Katherine Lorenz discussed matters of mutual interest, ranging from the administration of justice in India and Australia, to respect for the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the role of Bar Associations in safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms. 

Later, Mr Singh was accompanied on a tour of the Victorian Bar, and visited the Supreme Court library, sat in on part of a manslaughter trial in the Banco Court of the Supreme Court, and visited the Commonwealth Law Courts building. Mr Singh was also a guest of the Victorian Bar at the opening of the extension to the Peter O’Callaghan QC Gallery, the unveiling of the gallery’s newest commissions and gifts, and the inauguration of the memorial to members of the Bar who have served in Australia’s armed forces.

Mr Singh presented Dr Collins with honorary life membership of the Ludhiana District Bar Association. “I am deeply grateful to the Ludhiana Bar Association for this singular honour, which I have accepted as a representative of the Victorian Bar with appreciation and humility”, said Dr Collins. “I hope that this will be the start of closer ties with our colleagues in Ludhiana and the rest of India. We share fundamental values and have much to learn from one another.”