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10Mar
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1093

For some reason, this week about 25 people raised with me the content of these In Brief messages. I’ve been struck by just how many people read them (and by how closely they read them). In the last three days alone, two current and two former Chief Justices have spoken to me about recent In Brief messages. In putting in the detail that I do, I aim to inform members about what is occupying us on Bar Council and in the Bar Office. Very often members get in touch with useful information knowing that we are currently focussed on a particular issue or that we are scheduled to have a meeting or attend any event with a particular stakeholder. All of this feedback helps us to respond to members’ concerns more swiftly and to make timely and effective representations to external stakeholders.

3Mar
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1092

On Tuesday afternoon, Amanda Utt (Executive Director) and I attended a meeting of the Victorian Legal Services Board (VLSB) to update its members about the current operation of the Bar and foreshadow some of the projects we intend to seek funding for in the coming year. It was a very positive meeting. A number of board members asked insightful questions, particularly about how our more junior members are faring, post pandemic. It is clear the Board has a real interest in our members’ welfare and the resilience of their practices. Fiona McLeay, the Legal Services Commissioner who sits on the VLSB and is also its CEO, will be coming to meet with the Bar Council Executive to discuss the delegated functions we perform for the Board. The relationship between the Bar and the Commissioner and her office is strong, collaborative and open. It is working really well.

24Feb
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1091

On Monday afternoon, and then again on Thursday, I attended meetings of a working group that I have established to respond to the recommendations directed to the Bar made by his Honour Coroner Simon McGregor in relation to the death of Veronica Nelson. The formation of the group has yet to be formalised by Bar Council but, at this stage, it has on it representatives from the CPD Committee, the Indigenous Justice Committee, the Human Rights Committee, the Readers’ Course Committee and the Criminal Bar Association. Richard Dalton KC has very kindly agreed to chair it. I am hoping to finalise its terms of reference and composition at next week’s Bar Council meeting.

17Feb
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1090

There has been a real focus this week on the Human Source Management Bill 2023. On Monday, I had a meeting with a joint VicBar/LIV working group, which was formed to draft a document specifying our concerns with the Bill. Sue McNicol AM KC, Alexandra Golding and Doug Porteous agreed to help, as did Tania Wolff, Adam Awty and Donna Cooper from the LIV. In very quick time, the team pulled together a comprehensive and incisive critique of the Bill which we have already been able to use in our dealings with the State Government, the State Opposition, and other legislators who are currently considering the Bill. My sincere thanks go to Sue, Alexandra and Doug, and to Tania, Adam and Donna (and their team at the LIV) for their excellent work. Along with the LIV, the Bar has expressed several fundamental concerns with the Bill, and its stance is shared by the Australian Bar Association and the Law Council of Australia. It is a critical issue. We will stay on it.

10Feb
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1089

It’s been a big week.

On Monday, I was in Canberra for an ABA directors’ meeting in the morning, and then the High Court ceremony in the afternoon to announce our 2022 silks. It’s always a fantastic event and this year was no exception. The ceremony was followed by afternoon tea with the High Court judges and then a gala dinner in the evening. The silks bows ceremony in its current form has been running since 1982 and is arranged by the ABA each year. This year’s ceremony was the last at which the Honourable Chief Justice Kiefel will preside given her upcoming retirement. Her Honour spoke at the gala dinner and after her speech the President of the ABA, Peter Dunning KC, announced that her Honour had been awarded life membership of the ABA on account of her remarkable contribution to the profession over many decades. The junior silk speech was given by the one and only Mark Costello S.C.. While Mark may have been reluctant, I along with Róisín Annesley KC (Vice President of the ABA), had pushed for him to be selected by the ABA Executive to give the speech. As usual, he smashed it out of the park … and by the end of the evening he was talking to me again! My sincere thanks to Mark for taking on one of the toughest after dinner gigs going around and doing such a good job.

3Feb
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1088

It has been a busy week of meetings and events. On Monday, along with Mark Robins KC, I attended the Ecumenical service for the opening of the legal year at St Paul’s Cathedral. It was a very successful event. My thanks go to Mark for helping to arrange it.

27Jan
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1087

Happy new year! I hope the holiday break allowed everyone to refresh and recharge for the coming year. My sense is that 2023 will be busy, challenging and – I very much hope – rewarding for you all.

16Dec
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1086

Members will have received a communication regarding the Barristers’ Benevolent Foundation Christmas Appeal. We have had a great response to this year’s appeal. By way of reminder, donations to the Barristers’ Benevolent Foundation are tax deductible. They can make a real difference to colleagues who are struggling. Details about how to donate are in the communication. If you did not receive it, please contact the Bar Office for further information.

9Dec
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1085

On Monday, I met with Sally Flynn KC, Vice Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, to speak about the problems currently facing the Criminal Bar. Among other things, we discussed the Senior Counsel Consultation Panel Pilot, a joint initiative between the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Criminal Bar Association, supported by the Office of Public Prosecutions and Victoria Legal Aid. The Panel provides on the spot support to barristers if they feel they have experienced judicial bullying or otherwise unreasonable or disrespectful behaviour by judicial officers while appearing in the Courts. The primary focus of the Panel is support, rather than complaint. It is run in tandem with the existing Judicial Commission complaints process, with a practitioner still able to make a complaint to the Judicial Commission, or raise the matter with me, as President of the Bar. Details about the Pilot Program can be found here.

2Dec
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1084

Last Friday evening, I attended the Law Council of Australia’s Gala Dinner in Canberra. Tass Liveris’ term as President of the LCA comes to an end very soon, and several people – including President-elect Luke Murphy – paid tribute to Tass’ substantial contribution to the organisation. At the same event, Kate Eastman AM S.C. was honoured for her commitment to human rights with the bestowal of the 2022 President’s Award. My congratulations go to Kate.