News & Events


Latest News & Events

16Feb
News

Supreme Court of Victoria

A welcome ceremony to mark the appointment of the Honourable Justice Paul Cosgrave as a judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria will be held in Banco Court, Supreme Court of Victoria, 210 William Street, Melbourne on:

Thursday, 22 February 2024 at 9:15am

16Feb
In Brief

On Monday, I attended the ‘town hall’ hosted by the 5-Year Exam Review Panel. The Honourable Peter Riordan KC (Chair of the 5-Year Panel) provided an overview of the Panel’s work to date, and members were given the opportunity to raise their concerns. Some of the suggested changes discussed were setting the Exam in three parts (evidence, ethics, and procedure) and requiring candidates to re-sit only those parts that they have failed; providing candidates with the option to sit either a civil or criminal procedure exam; allowing more time for the completion of the exam; and an interview process for candidates who have been unsuccessful after three attempts. Many views were expressed, and I think it is fair to say that most were in favour of some change. I thank all of those who attended. The 5-Year Panel hopes to be able to make its recommendations to Bar Council by the end of March.

15Feb
News

Federal Court of Australia

A ceremonial sitting of the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia will be held to mark the appointment of the Honourable Justice Penelope Neskovcin as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia in Court 1, Level 8, Federal Court of Australia, Owen Dixon Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 305 William Street, Melbourne on:

Wednesday, 28 February 2024 at 9:30am

15Feb
News

Federal Court of Australia

A ceremonial sitting of the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia will be held to mark the appointment of the Honourable Justice Craig Dowling as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia in Court 1, Level 8, Federal Court of Australia, Owen Dixon Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 305 William Street, Melbourne on:

Friday, 1 March 2024 at 9:30am

9Feb
In Brief

On Monday, I appeared on behalf of the Victorian Bar to present our new silks to the High Court. The ceremony, held at the commencement of every new legal year, is significant. The new silks from each State and Territory stand in turn to take their bows, the Victorians wigless but wearing their rosettes and those from the northern States dressed up in their long ceremonial wigs. The Chief Justice remarked on what he described as the ‘subtle’ differences between the Bars on display in the courtroom and expressed the Court’s gratitude for the courtesy that the new silks showed the Court by their attendance. At the afternoon tea following the ceremony, the Victorian members of the High Court were especially generous with the time they spent meeting the silks and their families and friends. The silks were also supported by the presence of the Honourable Chief Justice William Alstergren AO and the Honourable Justice Simon Whelan, who attended as the representative of the Chief Justice of our Supreme Court. The ceremony was followed by a gala dinner held at the National Gallery.

8Feb
News

Members of the Bar are invited to attend a “town hall” meeting and share with the 5-Year Readers’ Course Exam Review Panel their thoughts and suggestions about the Bar Exam and Readers’ Course.

7Feb
News

The Attorney-General of Australia has announced the appointments of Penelope Neskovcin KC and Craig Dowling S.C. as judges of the Federal Court of Australia commencing on 8 February 2024 and 9 February 2024 respectively.

6Feb
News

County Court of Victoria

A welcome ceremony to mark the appointment of her Honour Judge Liberty Sanger as a judge of the County Court of Victoria will be held in Court 3-3, County Court of Victoria, 250 William Street, Melbourne on:

Thursday, 8 February 2024 at 9:15am

 

2Feb
In Brief

I wish you all a happy new legal year and hope that you have had a restful break. 

1Feb
News

Bar Roll Number: 1025

It is with deep regret that the Victorian Bar informs members of the death of Nimal Wikramanayake KC.