News & Events

Latest News & Events

All
Event
In Brief
News
25Nov
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1083

I flew to Perth last Friday to attend the WA Bar Association’s annual Bar and Bench dinner. It was a great opportunity to meet fellow barristers on the west coast and hear the keynote speech delivered by Justice Kenneth Martin of the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

18Nov
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1082

Along with Georgina Schoff KC and Elizabeth Bennett S.C., I met with David Hallowes S.C. in his capacity as Chair of the Criminal Bar Association this week to discuss current topics of concern to criminal practitioners at our Bar. During the year ahead, I am very keen to ensure that their views and concerns are heard by Bar Council, integrated into deliberations, and acted upon. In this regard, the Criminal Bar has excellent representation on the current Bar Council, and we will take full advantage of the skills, experience and insights that are available to us.

11Nov
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1081

On Wednesday, the Silks Bows for our newly appointed silks were held at ceremonial sittings of the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Full Federal Court of Australia, and the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia. I would like to add my congratulations to the new silks and wish them well as they settle into their new roles.

4Nov
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1080

On Thursday, Chief Justice Anne Ferguson announced the appointment of 23 new silks. On behalf of the Victorian Bar, I congratulate James Barber, Elizabeth Boros, Maria Pilipasidis, Christian Juebner, Romauld Andrew, Ian Horak, Craig Smith, Jason Gullaci, Raelene Sharp, Carl Moller, Jonathan Kirkwood, Samuel Rosewarne, Francis Gordon, Melanie Baker, Albert Dinelli, Zoe Maud, Robyn Sweet, William Edwards, Mark Costello, Emrys Nekvapil, Roslyn Kaye, Melanie Szydzik and Eleanor Mallett. I wish them every success in their new role as leaders of the Victorian Bar and the legal profession in this State.

28Oct
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1079

On behalf of the Victorian Bar, I congratulate the Honourable Justice Lesley Ann Taylor, who has been appointed as a judge of appeal of the Supreme Court of Victoria, effective Tuesday, 25 October 2022.

21Oct
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1078

Congratulations and welcome to the September 2022 Readers who signed the Bar Roll yesterday evening and celebrated the momentous occasion with their families and mentors in the Peter O’Callaghan QC Gallery.  It was a very happy occasion and brings the total number of members to 5486, of which 2205 are current practising counsel. On behalf of the Bar, I wish each of our 45 new members all the very best for a successful career at the Bar.

14Oct
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1077

This week the 2020 and 2021 silks finally had the opportunity to enjoy the traditional celebrations on being appointed senior counsel. On Monday, they and I had the privilege of appearing in the High Court of Australia at the Silks Bows Ceremonial sittings. On Monday evening, the Australian Bar Association held a Silks Gala Dinner at the National Gallery of Australia. Retiring High Court justice, Justice Patrick Keane AC proposed the toast on behalf of the judges to the new silks, and Ben Doyle KC of the South Australian Bar responded on behalf of the Silks. The celebrations in Canberra were followed on Wednesday evening by an event hosted by Chief Justices Allsop AO, Ferguson and Alstergren AO in the Library of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

7Oct
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1076

The County Court of Victoria has advised that from 17 October 2022, practitioners and other court users will not have to undergo mandatory surveillance rapid testing before entering the Court. Masks will continue to be worn inside the Court building as per the existing arrangements.

30Sep
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1075

On behalf of the Bar, I acknowledge and extend my congratulations and best wishes to the Hon. Justice Jayne Jagot, on her appointment as a judge of the High Court of Australia. I note the words of the Commonwealth Attorney-General, the Hon. Mark Dreyfus KC, in response to criticism that the appointment did not address a historical lack of representation from smaller states:

16Sep
In Brief

In Brief Issue #1074

It is with regret that I acknowledge the death of The Honourable Robert Brooking AO KC on Sunday, 11 September 2022. A member of our Bar, Justice Brooking was appointed to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1977 and then to the Court of Appeal in 1995. He retired in March 2002 after 25 years on the Bench. Justice Brooking is remembered for his substantial contribution to the jurisprudence of this State and his dedicated and distinguished service to the Court and the administration of justice. The funeral is to be held on Monday, 19 September 2022. Please see the details here.