News & Events | Victorian Bar

Latest News & Events

19Jul

In Brief

In Brief Issue #1158

Judicial Remuneration

On 10 May 2024, Peter Dunning KC, President of the Australian Bar Association, shared a letter addressed to the Federal Attorney-General, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer regarding proposed legislation that would adversely affect the entitlements of current and former judges of superior courts of record in the Commonwealth and the Territories. The ABA expressed concerns that the changes would be corrosive to judicial independence and the separation of powers. We agree with the ABA that, as a profession, we owe it to the judges to come to their aid when attempts are made to compromise their independence. We trust that there will soon be a response to the concerns expressed by the ABA and that the proposed changes are subject to appropriate consultation.

12Jul

In Brief

In Brief Issue #1157

Another school holiday edition of InBrief.

Our Commercial Bar Association colleagues are slowly returning to Australia after what I understand was a very successful conference in London.

5Jul

In Brief

In Brief Issue #1156

Student Engagement Committee (SEC) - Shadowing Program

The July intake of the shadowing program commenced this week with 40 students inducted on Monday morning by Adam Rollnik, Paul Hannan, Daniel Nguyen, and Abilene Singh. The program matches a barrister mentor with tertiary students and is particularly aimed at students who otherwise do not have links to the Bar or may face barriers seeking a career at the Bar. Thanks to Bonnie Renou, Erik Dober, and Tim Farhall from the Student Engagement Committee, and Lisa Paykel from the Bar Office for managing the program.

28Jun

In Brief

In Brief Issue #1155

On Wednesday, members received my email announcing BCL’s acquisition of 200 Queen Street, Melbourne. The purchase will ensure the sustainability of our unique BCL chambers model well into the future. A "town hall" meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 30 July 2024, at 4:30pm in the Neil McPhee Room to address any questions you may have about this important development. If you would like to submit questions prior to the meeting, please complete the form here, and we will endeavour to answer them on the evening.

21Jun

In Brief

In Brief Issue #1154

Bar Council Meeting

At our monthly meeting last night, Bar Council worked efficiently through its agenda of largely regular business. We approved a further three-year agreement for the provision of library services to the Bar by the Law Library of Victoria, approved a pilot scheme for the provision of financial counselling services to our members who find themselves in financial strife, and reviewed the BCL Chambers Rules of Occupancy and established a BCL Liaison Committee to act as a conduit between tenants and BCL. We continue to make decisions necessary to implement the changes that we have made to the Bar Exam and Readers’ Course, and I am happy to report that this work is proceeding well and on time. Members who wish to know more about the business of Bar Council can read the minutes of our meetings in the Members’ section of the website.

14Jun

In Brief

In Brief Issue #1153

I hope everyone enjoyed the King’s birthday long weekend and the short week that has followed. On behalf of the Bar, I congratulate our members who were recognised on Monday in the King’s Birthday Honours List: the Honourable Kevin Harcourt Bell AO KC appointed an Officer in the General Division (AO) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the judiciary, law, and human rights through education and reform; and his Honour Judge Michael Patrick Bourke AM appointed a Member in the General Division (AM) for significant service to the judiciary, to the law, and to the community.

7Jun

In Brief

In Brief Issue #1152

On Tuesday evening, Bar Council approved a new Strategic Plan 2024-2028, to guide the work of Bar Council for the next four years.

31May

In Brief

In Brief Issue #1151

On Monday, Sam Hay KC and I met with the Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes and members of her staff. The meeting was arranged as part of the Strategic Plan Working Group’s consultation process and was an excellent opportunity for us to discuss the role of the Independent Bar and how it can work most effectively with Government to further the administration of justice.

24May

In Brief

In Brief Issue #1150

Bar Dinner

The Bar Dinner, held last Saturday evening, was a great success. The move to the glorious Great Hall at the National Gallery of Victoria and a Saturday night worked well to elevate spirits. Of course, no Bar Dinner is a success without a great speaker, and we were all privileged to hear a truly great speech, delivered with warmth and humour, from the Honourable Justice Robert Beech-Jones. His Honour reminded us how privileged we are to be members of the Victorian Bar and explained why it is so important that we ensure, as far as possible, that the composition of our membership fairly reflects the public that it serves. Our Bar Office staff put in great effort to ensure the evening went smoothly. I would like to make special mention of Stephen Porter and Roisin Ryan, from our Events and Communications team, who plan and execute these large events with poise, calm, and an eye for detail.

17May

In Brief

In Brief Issue #1149

Last Friday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the NSW Bar & Bench Dinner. It was a lively event, and the speeches were excellent, especially that of the guest speaker, the Honourable Justice Beech-Jones of the High Court of Australia. For those of you attending the Victorian Bar Dinner tomorrow evening, you are in for a treat. I thank the President of the NSW Bar, Dr Ruth Higgins SC, and the NSW Bar Council for their hospitality.