The Victorian Bar acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we gather –the people of the Kulin Nation – and pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
Who we are
The Victorian Bar Association is a professional organisation representing 2,290 barristers in the state of Victoria. Established in 1900, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious bar associations in Australia. The Victorian Bar is committed to promoting excellence in advocacy, fostering professional development, and advocating for the interests of its members.
It provides a range of services and supports members, including access to professional development programs, networking opportunities, and resources for practising law.
The association also plays a vital role in the administration of justice in Victoria, providing support and advice to the courts and the legal profession on matters of legal policy and practice.
To ensure VicBar and its members thrive, now and into the future
4 part i year in review
PRESIDENT'S REPORT 5
2024-25 AT A GLANCE 10 FOUNDATIONS 12
14 part ii governance
VICTORIAN BAR COUNCIL 2024-2025 15
BAR COUNCIL MEETING ATTENDANCE 16
VICTORIAN BAR STRATEGIC PLAN 2024-2028 18 ORGANISATIONAL CHART 20
22 part iii bar associations
BARRISTERS' BENEVOLENT FOUNDATION OF VICTORIA 100 the victorian bar 24 / 25 annual report
32 part iv standing committees
60 part v appointments and membership
PUBLIC, JUDICIAL AND OTHER OFFICE 61 PERSONALIA 66
ROLL OF COUNSEL 69
72 part vi financial reports TABLE OF CONTENTS 73
CONSOLIDATED GROUP ENTITIES 74 REPORTS OF GROUP ENTITIES 75
FINANCIAL REPORTS 76
Annual Report of the Victorian Bar Incorporated for the year ended 30 June 2025
To be presented to the Annual General Meeting of the Victorian Bar Incorporated on 27 October 2025 in Owen Dixon Chambers East, 205 William Street, Melbourne The Victorian Bar Incorporated registered no. A0034304S
The Victorian Bar has achieved a remarkable amount in the 2024-25 financial year. As well as delivering its annual education program, policy and law reform agenda, the Bar has accomplished several key projects that will go a long way towards ensuring our members thrive now and into the future.
Bar Entrance Exam and Readers’ Course
On 13 October 2024, candidates sat the first Bar Entrance Exam under the new format at Moonee Valley Racecourse. This new structure comprises three papers to ensure candidates have a foundational understanding of ethics, evidence and procedure. These changes aim to address concerns the exam was an impediment to many worthy candidates joining the Bar. The ongoing health of the Bar requires that its talent be drawn from the widest possible pool. Removing unnecessary barriers to entry is central to achieving this outcome.
Candidates are now required to pass all three papers to gain admission to the Readers’ Course. They have the option of choosing to sit either a civil or criminal procedure paper on the same or different occasions.
This successful evolution is testament to the significant amount of work undertaken by the 5-Year Exam Review Panel (which recommended the changes), the Readers’
President's report
Justin Hannebery KC
Course Committee, the newly established Exam Committee, as well as the Bar’s Education team.
As part of the program of work required to implement changes to the exam, the Bar revoked the Application and Reading Regulations and replaced them with new Membership, Examination and Reading Regulations (MERR).
Our March 2025 Readers’ cohort was the first to participate in the redesigned Readers’ Course, shorter in duration at six weeks (previously, nine weeks). This intensive course equips our newest barristers with the core written and oral advocacy skills they need to establish long and successful careers.
We are confident the redesigned Readers’ Course will continue to ensure a high quality of education to, and acculturation of, new barristers joining our Bar. I would like to acknowledge the thorough and considered work of the Readers’ Course Committee. Particular acknowledgement should be made of its Reading Regulations Working Group (especially Mark Hosking and James McComish), the Exam Committee and the Bar Office (including the In-House Legal and Education teams).
The Readers’ Course relies heavily on the generosity of members who volunteer their time and experience as mentors. We are grateful for their investment in the Bar’s future.
Another 60 barristers will sign the Bar Roll in September 2025, swelling the ranks of our esteemed college to more than 2,300 barristers.
Digital Transformation
The past financial year saw the complete transformation of the Bar’s website and administration systems. This was the largest technological infrastructure update in the Bar’s history. Launched in September 2024, the new system was designed to improve efficiencies and enhance the overall member experience by integrating several websites onto a single digital platform. The migration of data from multiple complex platforms into a single system was a substantial undertaking, but necessary to ensure we can continue to support our members.
Other new features of the website include a bespoke member dashboard (MyBar), an ethics hub, practice support information, Bar association sections and a History of the Bar timeline.
The project would not have been possible without the exceptional contribution of Michael Shand AM KC (Chair) and the IT Project Steering Group consisting of Amanda Utt (Executive Director), Daniel Calleja (Head of Technology, BCL), Paul Francis (IT Project Manager) and David Sanders. I would also like to acknowledge the Bar Office team, particularly Miranda Tulloch and her team, Daniel Cousens and James Kioussis, whose contributions were essential to deliver the project.
The next 12 months will be dedicated to a series of rolling refinements and improvements to the system.
Policy and Law Reform
As barristers, it is incumbent on us as administrators of justice to play a significant role in shaping law and policy, both in Victoria and nationally. In 2024-25, the Victorian Bar presented 42 submissions.
None was potentially more important to our profession than the impact of the Commonwealth Government’s upcoming amendments to the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regime to more broadly encompass the activities of legal practitioners. The Bar has heavily advocated for barristers not to be subjected to requirements that would be overly burdensome on sole practitioners.
Another key area is regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by legal practitioners and the courts, including the ethical implications for barristers and the need to maintain vigilance when using AI generated content.
The Victorian Bar has a broad policy focus. Other areas of interest include:
» ongoing reforms to youth justice and bail laws in Victoria;
» Australian Law Reform Commission’s Review of the Future Acts Regime;
» continuing use of online hearings in federal and state courts and their effectiveness in facilitating access to justice; and
» proposed mandatory reporting requirements for Victorian lawyers to report the suspected misconduct of other lawyers following the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants.
We will continue to engage with policymakers and other relevant stakeholders in respect of law and policy issues, particularly those that affect us as a profession.
Victorian Bar President Justin Hannebery KC, with Vice Presidents Lisa Hannon KC and Fiona Ryan SC at the 2025 Bar Dinner.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Bar Council adopted the Bar’s fourth Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), subject to the final design of the document being endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. This is a key initiative in the Bar’s Strategic Plan 2024-28 that seeks to build upon the many commitments made since the Bar’s first RAP was introduced in 2012. Members of the Bar have a long history of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through pro bono work and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice causes. As RAP Champion, I am proud of what the Bar has been able to achieve thus far and commend the Indigenous Justice Committee and RAP Working Group, who have worked closely with Reconciliation Australia on this important work.
Health and Wellbeing
The Victorian Bar values the wellbeing of its members and their immediate families. At its best, our college provides a supportive community that all of us can draw on when required. Our chambers system and the plethora of opportunities to participate in committees and other social activities ensure that while we are all sole practitioners, it does not mean we should feel alone or disconnected.
In 2025, the Bar engaged the services of a new Member Assistance Program (MAP) provider, PeopleSense by Altius, to provide crisis management, counselling and other health and wellbeing services. We also welcomed Clinical Psychologists, Dr Colleen McFarlane and Dr Dominic Doyle.
The Bar strongly encourages barristers who are in any way concerned about their physical or psychological wellbeing
to seek help. Members and their families have access to numerous support services via the Victorian Bar’s revamped health and wellbeing portal here.
An inaugural initiative, funded by the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner and led by the Bar’s new Wellbeing Manager and Organisational Psychologist, Dr Sarah Fischer, is the reflective practice and debriefing program to support the management of stress and vicarious trauma in barristers’ work. This program is based on a clinical supervision model that has long been used in healthcare settings to ensure high-quality practice in environments where there are complex ethical dilemmas and emotionally charged situations.
Appointments
As President of the Victorian Bar, I have been privileged to attend many ceremonial sittings in our courts and welcome newly appointed members of the judiciary.
We acknowledged the appointment of several Victorian Bar members between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, including the Honourable Justice Elizabeth Bennett who was appointed to the Federal Court of Australia four weeks into her Bar Council presidency in December 2024.
In August 2024, the Honourable Chief Justice Anne Ferguson announced the appointment of 25 new Senior Counsel. See page 67 for the full list and a photo.
On behalf of the Bar Council, I congratulate all members on these outstanding appointments and wish them every success.
For a full list of appointments, see page 61.
Julian McMahon AC SC, Fiona McLeod AO SC and Chief Justice Richard Niall, Supreme Court of Victoria, at the 2025 Pro Bono Awards.
Milestones, Awards and Events
In June 2025, we acknowledged the 125th anniversary of the formal establishment of the Victorian Bar Association on 20 June 1900. While the Bar can trace its origins back to 1841, the first official meeting of the Victorian Bar Council was held in Selbourne Chambers, which is now Owen Dixon Chambers East.
Mr John Box, who was elected Chairman of the inaugural Victorian Bar Council, was also the first to sign the Roll of Counsel. Pictured above is the original minute book, where it was resolved to “compile a Roll of the names of Counsel practising exclusively as such as the Bar of Victoria” – the first Bar Roll.
A full events calendar to mark significant milestones and provide valuable networking opportunities played a significant role in life at the Bar throughout 2024-25.
One of the standouts was the High Court Dinner, hosted by the Victorian Bar on 4 September 2024 when the High Court was on circuit. A dinner in the Neil McPhee Room celebrated the occasion of the High Court in Victoria and the many connections between our Bar and the Court. Sarah Zeleznikow was master of ceremonies and the Honourable Justice Michelle Gordon AC, who was Acting Chief Justice at the time, spoke eloquently about the Court’s connection with Victoria and the importance of its work on circuit. It was the first time since 1964 that a member of our Bar has presided over a sitting of the Full Court of the High Court in Victoria. See photos on page 21
It was a very busy start to 2025 with the official opening of the new Victorian Bar Mediation Centre at Castan Chambers, 460 Lonsdale Street. About 100 guests celebrated the opening of
the impressive facilities with their expansive views of the court precinct from the 11th floor. It was an enormous effort by the Victorian Bar team to move the centre from Douglas Menzies Chambers and set up in this prestige location.
In February, I had the pleasure of welcoming participants to the 2025 New Barristers’ Conference for junior barristers up to six years’ call. They heard a thoughtful address by the Honourable Chief Justice Richard Niall of the Supreme Court of Victoria, in his first official engagement since his appointment as Chief Justice. His Honour emphasised the importance of seizing opportunities, constant learning, and the value of relationships, both inside and outside work. We greatly appreciate his Honour making our event his debut speaking engagement as Chief Justice.
The 2025 Victorian Bar Pro Bono Awards were held in March. The Victorian Bar has a proud tradition of providing pro bono legal assistance to vulnerable members of the community. It is a fundamental part of life at the Bar. These awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate this important work. Multiple members of the judiciary attended the biennial ceremony in the Peter O’Callaghan QC Gallery. The Bar also honoured the lifetime of pro bono work undertaken by Peter Hanks KC, who gave the keynote address.
Fiona McLeod AO SC was a popular recipient of the 10 th Pro Bono Trophy for her pro bono advocacy over many years. Her moving acceptance speech noted the extraordinary circumstances of some of the clients she has assisted.
In May, a crowd of 500-plus gathered for the annual Victorian Bar Dinner in the Great Hall at the National Gallery of Victoria. Those in attendance were fortunate to hear a humorous, personal and engaging speech from our guest speaker, the
Original minute book from the first official meeting of the Victorian Bar Association on 20 June 1900.
Honourable Chief Justice Stephen Gageler AC of the High Court of Australia. His Honour’s great fondness for the Victorian Bar was evident and we thank him for the memorable address. Other honoured guests included Her Excellency Professor Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Sonya Kilkenny MP, Victorian Attorney-General, and numerous Heads of Jurisdiction. Several members of 45 years’ standing were acknowledged, as well as our March 2025 Readers’ cohort. See photos on page 21.
Six portraits were added to the Peter O’Callaghan QC Gallery collection, including the Honourable Geoffrey Nettle AC KC, Jeremy Ruskin KC, the Honourable Gareth Evans AC KC, Andrew Kirkham AM RFD KC, James Merralls AM QC, and the Honourable George Hampel AM KC. For more information about these fine works, see the Art and Collections Committee report on page 35.
As well as individual portrait unveilings, the Honourable Chief Justice Debra Mortimer of the Federal Court of Australia officially launched Changing Faces of the Bar (Part 2), a video installation by photographer Garth Oriander, in October 2024 which is now on permanent display in the gallery.
Pioneering Programs
The Victorian Bar is proud to pioneer programs that seek to enhance diversity at the Bar and improve educational outcomes. These include the Diversity Internship Program, Annual Indigenous Clerkship Program and Mentoring Program, all of which were the first of their kind in Australia. The Pacific Nations Train the Trainer program, an intensive two-week training initiative, was another first for the Bar.
More information about all these programs can be found in the respective committee reports on pages 33-59.
In other news…
Bar Council resolved to lower subscription rates for the 2025-26 financial year for the vast majority of Victorian barristers. I thank Treasurer Raini Zambelli, and the other members of the Subscriptions Review Sub-Committee for the enormous volume of work undertaken to achieve a fair and financially prudent outcome.
The Victorian Bar’s laudable system of setting subscription rates by reference to income bands is unique amongst the Bars of Australia. Its intention is to promote an equitable method of determining the contributions of individual members, but it is important to ensure that it continues to fulfil this purpose.
A broader investigation will determine whether this should remain the preferred means to calculate subscriptions. As part of that process, the views of many, including former Bar Council Treasurers, will be sought. I hope that once that process has been completed, a course will be set confirming the method of setting subscription rates for 2026 and beyond.
For now, the Bar Council has made changes to address some of the most obvious subscription anomalies, while generally reducing the subscription burden on those members in the lower and middle bands.
Following the Victorian Bar Mediation Centre’s move to 460 Lonsdale Street, Barristers’ Chambers Limited sold Douglas Menzies Chambers. Proceeds of the sale will offset the purchase of BCL’s acquisition of 200 Queen Street and support the continuation of the BCL model, a feature that is unique to the Victorian Bar.
In February 2025, the Professional Standards Council of Victoria, acting in conjunction with the Councils of other Australian jurisdictions, approved the Victorian Bar’s fourth Professional Standards Scheme under the Professional Standards Act 2003 (Vic) for national operation. The new scheme was published in the Victorian Government Gazette on 29 April 2025 and will be in force from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2030, unless extended. The Scheme caps the damages that participating members of the Bar can be liable for if a court upholds a relevant claim against them. I would like to acknowledge the Victorian Bar’s Senior In-house Legal Counsel Kai Li Zhu and her team for their work in preparing the new scheme application.
Bar Council also endorsed the establishment of a new independent association of Victorian barristers that aims to support and represent LGBTQ barristers. Membership of the Hock & Seltzer Society Barristers’ Association is open to anyone at the Victorian Bar, including allies.
Acknowledgements
I am honoured to have been elected to the position of President and to have had the opportunity to serve the Victorian Bar.
I am especially thankful for the support I have received from the Executive: Vice Presidents Lisa Hannon KC and Fiona Ryan SC, Honorary Treasurer Raini Zambelli and Assistant Honorary Treasurer Georgina Costello KC.
I would like to express gratitude to my fellow Bar Councillors, all of whom serve voluntarily in what can sometimes be a timeconsuming role to contribute to the Bar.
As I commend this Annual Report, I also offer my thanks to the Bar Office team, under the leadership of Executive Director Amanda Utt. The daily operations of the Victorian Bar are substantial; from the education program and regulatory and compliance activities to event coordination and wellbeing initiatives (to name a few). These people keep the organisation functioning, and they deserve our gratitude for their professionalism and enthusiasm to support our great institution.
2.7m Website
22,422
Education and Events
147
59
8,642
6,717
107
35
60
Foundations
The Victorian Bar supports members through the myriad work and activities of four foundations. This includes assisting present and former members and their immediate families who find themselves in necessitous circumstances, providing legal education and training opportunities with the administration of grants, and preserving the visual history of the Bar through the acquisition of artwork and memorabilia.
Victorian Bar Foundation
Board of Directors as at 30 June 2025: the Honourable Justice Stewart Anderson (Chair), Elizabeth Brumby (Treasurer), John Karkar KC, Neil Young KC, Philip Crutchfield KC, Kateena O’Gorman SC, Nawaar Hassan, Georgie Coleman, Justin Hooper, Xuelin Teo and Kathleen Crennan.
The Victorian Bar Foundation thanks the directors who retired during the 2024-25 year: the Honourable John Digby KC and Angela Lee.
The Foundation’s Patron is the Honourable Justice Michelle Gordon AC.
Foundation activities
The Victorian Bar Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that was established to progress the interests of justice in Victoria and further legal education and training in the community through the administering of grants.
During the year, the Foundation continued to provide financial support for the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia’s pioneering Court Dog Program, which allows “Poppy”, a fully trained court facility dog, to be available full
time in that jurisdiction, with the aim of providing comfort and emotional support. Poppy was the first official facility dog appointed to the Court’s Melbourne registry following a pilot program. She was “sworn in” on 7 October 2023. Since then, four more court facility dogs have joined the ranks, working across the Court’s Tasmania and NSW registries.
The Foundation also funded scholarships in the Monash University Humanitarian Scholarship Program, which supports eligible refugees across undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
And it hosted a ceremony where awards were distributed to students from 15 secondary schools in the City of Hume region through the Student Achievement Awards Program. In partnership with the City of Hume, the program is designed to encourage and support students who have shown an interest in and aptitude for the study of law. The Foundation contributed $1,000 to each student to further their legal education. Plans are underway for another awards ceremony in the latter half of 2025.
Amount raised during 2024-25: $16,801.
You can find out more about the Foundation here.
Barristers’ Benevolent Foundation of Victoria
The Barristers’ Benevolent Foundation of Victoria (BBFV) is a charitable trust, established and administered by the Victorian Bar, through the Bar Council, to assist present and former members of the Bar, and their dependants who find themselves in necessitous circumstances.
Since 1928, the BBFV has provided financial assistance to many barristers and their close family members by extending gifts and loans using funds obtained from generous taxdeductible donations and bequests from other members.
The BBFV is aware of how sole practices can be disrupted by accident, serious illness, family tragedy or other unforeseen events. At those times, the BBFV performs a supportive and vital service to assist members and is a fine example of the collegiality that is the hallmark of the Victorian Bar.
All applications for assistance are confidential. Further information, including an application form, can be found here
The BBFV’s 2024-25 financial statement can be found on page 100
Poppy, the court facility dog.
Peter O’Callaghan QC Portrait Gallery Foundation
Board of Directors as at 30 June 2025: Philip Solomon KC (Chair), Peter Willis SC, Justin Hannebery KC, Lisa Hannon KC, Fiona Ryan SC, Siobhan Ryan KC, Dr Charles Parkinson KC, Justin Tomlinson SC and Ingrid Braun.
The Foundation’s Patron is the Honourable Justice Michelle Gordon AC.
The Peter O’Callaghan QC Gallery Foundation was established to ensure that the Victorian Bar’s Art and Collections Committee can continue to build on this important visual history of the Bar and focus on funding the commission of future works to the Gallery through donations and legacies from members and friends of the Bar.
In 2024-25, the Foundation raised $23,800.
During the reporting period, the following portraits were added to the Gallery:
» the Honourable Geoffrey Nettle AC KC (painted by Jude Rae);
» Jeremy Ruskin KC (painted by Juan Ford);
» the Honourable Gareth Evans AC KC (photograph by David Parker);
» Andrew Kirkham AM RFD KC (photograph by Earl Carter);
» James Merralls AM QC (photograph by his wife Rosemary); and
» the Honourable George Hampel AM KC.
You can read more about the Gallery and Foundation here.
Indigenous Barristers’ Trust
Indigenous Barristers’ Trust was established in 2006 to assist indigenous barristers in necessitous circumstances to pursue the practice of law at the Bar. This may include, but is not limited to, a need for financial or other assistance for professional and practice development, building professional networks or increasing the practising profile of indigenous barristers.
More information about the trust and other initiatives that support indigenous barristers can be found here
Victorian Bar Foundation Patron, the Honourable Justice Michelle Gordon AC (centre), with VBF Chair, the Honourable Justice Stewart Anderson (left) and City of Hume Mayor Cr Naim Kurt (right), and the 15 students who were recipients of the Student Achievement Awards in 2024.
Portrait of the Honourable Geoffrey Nettle AC KC (painted by Jude Rae).
Part II
Governance
The Victorian Bar’s activities are managed by the 21-member Bar Council, which is governed by a constitution and subject to the Uniform Laws and Rules of the Legal Profession.
The Bar Council is directly and indirectly responsible for all Bar activities and initiatives, with support from a group of committees for specific interest groups and the VicBar staff.
Its work is underpinned by a Strategic Plan that sets out the direction for the Victorian Bar over the next four years (see pages 18-19).
To learn more about how the Victorian Bar is governed, click here
Victorian Bar Council 2024-2025
Category A: Eleven counsel are King’s Counsel, Senior Counsel or junior counsel of not less than 15 years’ standing.
B: Six counsel who are not of King’s Counsel or Senior Counsel and are of not more than 15 nor less than six years’ standing.
President Justin Hannebery KC
Vice President Lisa Hannon KC
Vice President Fiona Ryan SC
Assistant Honorary Treasurer Georgina Costello KC
Gavin Silbert KC Peter Chadwick KC
Category
Honorary Treasurer Raini Zambelli
Timothy Goodwin
Jessie Taylor Ffyona Livingstone Clark Lana Collaris Andrea Skinner
Category C: Four counsel who are not of King’s Counsel or Senior Counsel and are of less than six years’ standing
Felicity Fox Gemma Cafarella Paul Jeffreys Jakub Patela
Honorary Secretaries: appointed by the Victorian Bar Council
Honorary
Christopher McDermott
Mark Robins KC Julian McMahon AC SC Colin Mandy SC Dr Michelle Sharpe Moya O’Brien
Bar Council Meeting Attendance 2023 - 2024
Fourteen meetings of the Victorian Bar Council were held between 9 November 2023 (being the date of the first meeting of the 2023-2024 Bar Council) and 30 June 2024, including five Special Purpose Bar Council Meetings.
Bar Council Meeting Attendance 2024 - 2025
Twelve meetings of the Victorian Bar Council were held between 7 November 2024 (being the date of the first meeting of the 2024-2025 Bar Council) and 30 June 2025.
Victorian Bar Strategic Plan 2024-2028
Vision
Purpose
Objectives
Strategies
To support and promote a strong and independent Bar
» Raise awareness and understanding of the importance of independent, specialist advocates to the administration of justice and the proper functioning of the legal system
» Work effectively with the regulator in the regulation of barristers’ conduct
To ensure VicBar and its members thrive, now and into the future
To foster excellence in and enhance the performance of Victorian Barristers
» Encourage professional excellence among members
» Support members’ ability to provide high quality legal services on competitive terms
» Maintain and enhance standards of professional conduct
» Attract, retain, and develop talented and diverse (that is, reflective of the community which VicBar serves) members
To maintain and increase the diversity of VicBar to reflect the community which it serves, in a manner consistent with VicBar’s standards of professional excellence
» Put in place programs and initiatives that support and increase diversity of VicBar, via the attraction, retention and progression of traditionally under-represented groups at VicBar (in a manner consistent with VicBar’s standards of professional excellence)
» Implement and observe VicBar’s Reconciliation Action Plan
To provide services to members to support and enhance their practices
» Enhance professional opportunities for all our members
» Listen to our members to design and deliver valuable services
» Represent the interests of members
» Broaden VicBar’s revenue streams
» Work with Barristers’ Chambers Limited to ensure physical and technical infrastructure supports members’ needs
To ensure that members can build and maintain sustainable and successful practices both now and into the future
» Raise awareness of barristers’ distinctive competencies and value as independent specialist advocates among clients, governments and the community
» Actively engage with clients, the legal profession and the community to position VicBar members as leading experts in the provision of legal services including alternative dispute resolution services
» Enable members to contribute to VicBar’s marketing
» Position VicBar to meet emerging challenges and prepare the profession for the future
» Build a closer collaborative relationship between VicBar and the clerks, to further the achievement of shared objectives
To provide leadership and a strong, authoritative voice
» Develop and manage strategic relationships to maintain and strengthen VicBar’s independence
» Work collaboratively to safeguard the rule of law
» Identify strategic priorities for the provision of expert input and leadership
» Improve and strengthen co-regulation
» Support members to provide high quality pro bono legal advice and representation What Success Looks Like
VicBar is recognised as being a crucial contributor to the administration of justice by the legal profession, governments and the community – which drives the achievement of VicBar’s other strategic goals
We attract and develop high quality barristers who thrive at VicBar
The diversity of our society is appropriately reflected in the membership of VicBar
We are responsive to member feedback and provide services that members use and value
Our members are able to develop and maintain sustainable and successful practices
We draw on members’ expertise and views to influence policy, legislation and the justice system
Core Enablers
Fundamentally, the purpose of the Victorian Bar is to ensure its continued existence and relevance to the community and the administration of justice which it serves. VicBar’s ability to do so depends, in turn, on its members being able to develop and maintain sustainable and successful practices.
The Victorian Bar Strategic Plan 2024-2028 sets out the direction for the Bar over the next four years. The plan will help to shape the work of the Bar Council to achieve its vision and purpose. It was developed in consultation with members and other interested parties across the legal profession, clients, government and the judiciary.
VicBar is a body of independent advocates, who serve the administration of justice and the rule of law by providing frank and fearless advice and advocacy. This fact is critical to the identity of VicBar, and each of its member barristers.
Our Vision
The strategy set out in this Strategic Plan uses VicBar’s independence as a touchstone by which all other strategic objectives are informed and achieved.
This strategy will support VicBar to be responsive to member feedback by delivering services that members use and value. The plan will help VicBar to attract and develop talented members to foster excellence and enhance performance. It will also support VicBar’s efforts to draw on the expertise of members to influence policy, legislation and the justice system.
And lastly, it aims to position VicBar to address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities presented by a rapidly changing legal market, so that VicBar and its members thrive, now and into the future.
A full copy of the Victorian Bar Strategic Plan 2024-2028 can be found here
Independence: VicBar is a strong and independent group of professionals who uphold the rule of law. Our work is built on the tradition of providing fearless legal representation and advice to all in the community. We provide impartial and objective representation and advocacy. The Bar Council will work to maintain and enhance the independence of VicBar.
Excellence: VicBar supports its members to provide legal representation and advocacy of the highest quality. We will provide members with services to develop skills, foster talent and promote a collegiate culture. The Bar Council will build the conditions to sustain high-quality performance across VicBar. We recognise that professional excellence encompasses a diverse range of styles and approaches.
Collegiality: VicBar is one Bar, united by respect for: (a) the administration of justice, (b) the rule of law and (c) each other, as frank and fearless advocates who play an integral role in the legal system.
Leadership: VicBar calls upon its unique blend of expertise and authority to lead and support efforts to advance the rule of law and improve access to, and the efficient administration of, justice. VicBar will work collaboratively with other legal bodies to best support the justice system in Victoria. The Bar Council will agree areas of legal reform that are strategic priorities. It will ensure that VicBar speaks with a single, authoritative voice on these issues.
Growth: VicBar will support its members to maintain and expand their practices by building awareness of barristers’ (and members’) distinctive competencies, developing marketing initiatives and leveraging the specialist skills of members to implement strategies and contribute to VicBar’s marketing.
Our Values
The values underpinning the Victorian Bar’s operations, activities and programs are:
» Independence of government, client, solicitor, colleague, and self-interest
» A strong enduring community of barristers who maintain the highest professional and ethical standards
» Excellence and innovation borne of a deep understanding of the law
» Supporting the right of all members of society to access quality legal representation
» Vigorous and fearless representation of our clients’ rights and interests
» A system of law that secures justice in a free and democratic society.
Organisational Chart
The Victorian Bar staff support the Bar Council to achieve its strategic objectives, as outlined on page 18, and is responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of services and activities that enhance members’ experiences. Its day-to-day operations are performed by seven portfolios under the direction and guidance of the Executive Director.
This organisational chart captures some of the key focus areas administered by VicBar staff, including but not limited to, Bar governance activities, regulatory and compliance activities, education and professional development, college social events such as the annual Bar Dinner, policy work, stakeholder engagement and wellbeing initiatives. It is also responsible for the daily running of the Victorian Bar Mediation Centre.
2024 High Court
1. Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria, with Professor Glyn Davis AC and Caitrin Davis
2. Ffyona Livingstone Clark, Fiona Ryan SC, Fiona Forsyth KC, Fiona Spencer KC, Fiona McLeod AO SC and Fiona McLeay (aka “The Fionas”)
3. Anthony Nolan KC, the Honourable Tony Cavanough KC, the Honourable John Digby KC and the Honourable Justice Jacinta Forbes
4. The Honourable Chief Justice Stephen Gageler AC
1. Peter Hanks KC, the Honourable Chief Justice Anne Ferguson and Georgina Schoff KC 2. The Honourable Justice Michelle Gordon AC
3. The Honourable Kenneth Hayne AC KC, Fiona Ryan SC and the Honourable Justice James Edelman
The Bar Associations bring together groups of barristers based on specialisations and areas of practice. Members share resources and knowledge, discuss latest cases and issues affecting their areas of legal practice and together, lobby for legal reform. While the Victorian Bar supports the Associations and their activities, the Bar Associations have an independent voice. For more information about each association, click here.
Children’s Court Bar Association
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Teresa Porritt (President), Jordana Cohen (Vice President), Michelle Jenkins (Secretary), Christine Pollard (Honorary Treasurer), Kaye McNaught, Anna McDonald, Kate Stowell, Raymond Elishapour and Iman Osman.
The Children’s Court Bar Association (CCBA) represents the interests of barristers practising predominantly in the Children’s Court across its Criminal and Family Divisions. As part of its representative role, the Executive attended regular meetings with various organisations, including the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) and the Children’s Court to raise matters of importance for its members, including health and wellbeing issues, remuneration and briefing conditions.
An issue that arose during the past year related to the working conditions for barristers. In addition to being a particularly challenging jurisdiction to work in because of its subject material, members also had to continue adapting to the requirements of navigating the Court’s CMS portal. Furthermore, there has been a considerable decline in the briefing of barristers for DFFH work due to government spending cuts, resulting in uncertainty and stress for many members.
There have also been significant changes within the Children’s Court, most noticeably the cessation of conciliation conferences. This alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process was a key hearing convened prior to the listing of a contested hearing that gave parents an opportunity to directly participate in the decision-making
process and work with Child Protection to reach an agreed outcome in the best interests of the child. The absence of this form of ADR has not only resulted in less available work for CCBA members but also removed a valuable opportunity to avoid matters going to contested hearings. The Court has, however, advised that it is considering implementing another form of ADR to fill the gap created by the abolition of conciliation conferences. Written submissions and roundtable discussions are forecast as part of the Court’s consultation process and the CCBA welcomes this opportunity to make submissions on behalf of its members.
As noted in last year’s report, the CCBA held a two-day CPD festival of learning in July 2024. The festival attracted a large number of attendees from the Bar, Child Protection Litigation Office, VLA and private practitioners, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The CCBA plans to host another CPD day, where it will present topics of interest to its members.
The CCBA also organised several social events. These included a function for attendees of the CPD festival in July 2024, the annual Christmas reception and a farewell event for retired Magistrate Parkinson. All events were well attended and the subject of positive feedback. It is anticipated that further social events will be organised next financial year, including the popular Christmas function.
Commercial Bar Association
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Paul Hayes KC (President), Sam Rosewarne KC (Senior Vice President), Mark Costello KC (Vice President Convenor), Georgia Douglas (Treasurer), Jeremy Twigg KC, Fiona Forsyth KC, Tamieka Spencer Bruce SC, Ben Gibson, Dion Fahey, Daniel Briggs, Raini Zambelli, Kathleen Crennan, Ganesh Jegatheesan, Daniel Lorbeer (Honorary Member), Scott Cromb (Honorary Member), Alexander Campbell (Honorary Secretary), Gisela Nip (Assistant Honorary Secretary), Dean Merriman (Assistant Honorary Secretary) and Annabelle Ballard (Assistant Honorary Secretary).
Retiring committee members in 2024 were Meg O'Sullivan KC, Travis Mitchell KC, Sergio Freire, Jesse Rudd and Veronica Holt. Anna O’Callaghan (Honorary Secretary) and Gemma Cafarella (Assistant Honorary Secretary) also completed their terms. The current Executive Committee
sincerely thanks the retiring committee members for their service.
The CommBar Executive Committee meets monthly (excluding January and July) during the first week of the month. In the 2024-25 financial year, the committee met on 10 occasions.
As at 30 June 2025, CommBar was also comprised of the following 19 sections, which regularly submit articles to the quarterly newsletter/blog, CommBar Matters, which informs members about the latest legal developments in the sections’ respective areas of practice and which on average, stage at least one CPD seminar each year:
» Arbitration and ADR
» Banking and Finance
» Building and Construction
» Civil Procedure
» Class Actions
» Climate Change
» Competition and Consumer Law
» Corporations and Securities Law
» Energy and Infrastructure
» Environment and Planning
» Equity
» Insolvency
» Insurance and Professional Negligence
» Intellectual Property and Trade Practices
» Media and Defamation
» Probate and Related Property
» Public and Administrative Law
» Real Property Law
» Sports Law.
This year, CommBar facilitated the creation of a Climate Change section, which monitors the ever-increasing body of climate change regulation and related litigation. This section is overseen by Lisa De Ferrari SC, Tomo Boston KC, Dr Kylie Weston-Scheuber and Veronica Holt.
On behalf of the Executive Committee, we acknowledge and thank our section officers for their hard work throughout the year. CommBar also thanks Daniel Lorbeer and Scott Cromb for their ongoing efforts in not only producing the quarterly CommBar Law Digest e-publication (which also appears on Lexology) but overseeing all CommBar online publications and content.
There were many highlights for CommBar this past year, least of which was CommBar’s 30th anniversary. Since its inception in 1994, CommBar has grown to be the largest and most active of the specialist bar associations at the Victorian Bar with over 800 financial members. Highlights from the 2024-25 year are summarised in this report:
CommBar 30th Anniversary Dinner
On 9 October 2024, CommBar celebrated its 30th anniversary with a sold-out dinner at the Essoign Club. Members and guests were privileged to hear from a renowned leader of the commercial bar and former CommBar President, Philip Crutchfield KC, and Principal Judge of the Commercial Court of the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Honourable Justice Delany. They each delivered entertaining speeches, drawing inspiration from the characters and events which have comprised CommBar’s 30year history. It was especially pleasing to see so many junior members of the commercial bar in attendance, joining judges and older CommBar members to celebrate the endeavours of the Victorian commercial bar over three decades – the product of the work of their CommBar predecessors is to be their legacy. CommBar’s collegiality was in overdrive; the camaraderie and banter as prolific as it was enthusiastic, with everyone in attendance contributing to a most enjoyable and memorable evening.
2024 International Commercial Law Conference
The 2024 CommBar International Commercial Law Conference was held at Magdalen College in Oxford and the Inner and Middle Temple in London in July 2024. The conference attracted more than 110 barristers from the commercial bar in Melbourne and was attended by members of the commercial bar in London, as well as leading members of the commercial judiciary in both Melbourne and London.
At a time when commercial disputes are becoming more global, which has promoted the rise of international arbitration, the conference was a timely opportunity for CommBar to consolidate links with our London colleagues and emphasise to the Australian and United Kingdom legal markets the expertise and depth of talent which resides at the commercial bar here in Melbourne.
In what was a solid conference program, delegates were addressed by a world-class faculty which included: His Excellency, the Honourable Stephen Smith (Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom); the Honourable Justice Steward (High Court of Australia); the Right
The Honourable Justice Delany and Georgina Schoff KC
Honourable Lord Hodge PC (Deputy President, United Kingdom Supreme Court); the Honourable Chief Justice Alstergren AO (Chief Justice, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia); the Honourable Justice Foxton (Judgein-Charge, Commercial Court); the Honourable Justice McEvoy and the Honourable Justice Thawley (Federal Court of Australia); the Honourable Justice Osborne and the Honourable Justice Matthews (Commercial Court of the Supreme Court of Victoria); the Right Honourable Lord Garnier PC KC (former Solicitor General of the United Kingdom); the Right Honourable Lord Grieve PC KC (former Attorney-General of the United Kingdom); Professor Mitchell FBA KC (University College, University of London); Professor van Zweiten (Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford); and the leaders of the Melbourne and London commercial bars, who spoke on the following topics (with attendees earning 10 CPD points across all categories):
» What Can Technology Do for Law?
» Corporate Governance: The Changing Environment
» Comparative Approaches to Tax Avoidance
» Challenges in Commercial Dispute Resolution and Determination
» The Rule of Law in a Modern Commercial World
» The ‘Harman’ Obligation – A Refresher: Jurisprudence and Application
» International Arbitration: Jurisdiction and Enforcement
» Developments in Cross-Border Insolvency
» The Intersection of Public International Law and Commercial Disputes
» New Horizons in Commercial Practice
» Equitable Fraud: Barnes v Addy across Two Continents
» How Serious? Serious Harm in Defamation
» Advocacy in Commercial Disputes.
The social program commenced with a memorable dinner in the Greek Sculpture Gallery of the Ashmolean Museum, which was followed later in the week with a gala black tie dinner in the hall of the Middle Temple, at which CommBar President Paul Hayes KC spoke, together with Victorian Bar President Georgina Schoff KC, and former Treasurer of the Inn, the now late Master Paul Darling KC, who regaled guests with a most generous and entertaining speech that included a silver kangaroo sculpture which had been gifted to the Middle Temple by former High Court of Australia judge, the Honourable Justice Windeyer.
Paul passed away suddenly and unexpectedly about a week after the dinner. He will be missed by many around the world, including in Melbourne. CommBar’s deepest sympathies are extended to Paul’s family and colleagues at the Middle Temple and 39 Essex Chambers. The conference concluded with drinks and canapes in the Temple Church courtyard on what was a beautiful summer evening as everyone reflected on what had been yet another fabulous
CommBar conference.
Pleasingly, the conference returned a modest profit to CommBar, which permits the association to fund its ongoing and expanding scholarship program.
Special thanks are due to CommBar’s platinum sponsor for the conference, Svenson Barristers and Anna Svenson, along with the Tax Bar Association which convened and supported the Oxford leg of the conference. Finally, the efforts of the hard-working conference organising committee should not be overlooked: Dan McInerney KC, Dr Laura Hilly, Georgia Douglas, Kieran Hickie, Amy Hando, Lachlan Molesworth, Nicholas Dodds, Daniel Briggs, Rebecca McCarthy and Ganesh Jegatheesan.
Equitable Briefing Roundtable
In late 2024, the Chief Justices and judges of the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Federal Court of Australia, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, together with judges of the County Court of Victoria and CommBar, facilitated a roundtable with senior leaders from major litigation firms in Victoria, which focused on increasing the level and value of gender equitable briefing for the commercial bar in Victoria.
A lively and candid discussion ensued about the experiences and initiatives of solicitors and the steps that can be taken by CommBar, the Bench and broader profession to further increase the rates of gender equitable briefing in commercial proceedings.
Overall, recent data collated by both the Courts and some of the major law firms indicates that equitable briefing at the bar in commercial matters is continuing its upward trajectory. However, more work is needed to ensure that matters briefed to women at the commercial bar (in terms of the proportion and value of briefs) correlate percentage wise with the number of women practising at the commercial bar in Victoria.
Other take-aways from the roundtable included the need for Silks and solicitors to invite and encourage greater speaking roles for junior barristers (especially in-person where possible), for Courts to consider the caring obligations of counsel when setting matters down for hearing (i.e. school holidays) and for CommBar this year to compile and promote a list of women barristers willing to present in-house CPD talks at law firms on a range of commercial law topics.
CommBar will continue its endeavours on the equitable briefing front, and once more thanks the judges, senior leaders from law firms and our members who attended and contributed to the roundtable.
Thanks also to Meg O’Sullivan KC, Kylie Weston-Scheuber, Georgia Douglas and Veronica Holt for their work in arranging the roundtable and to all the solicitors who joined CommBar to further this important exercise.
Inaugural Barefoot Bowls Championship
CommBar’s foray into the sporting arena this year came about with the inaugural CommBar Inter-Section Barefoot Lawn Bowls Championship at the Flagstaff Bowling Club on a stunning late November evening. The winner of the CommBar ‘Pro-Bowlo’ trophy was the Class Actions section, inspiringly led by Fiona Forsyth KC. The winner of the ‘Izzy’ prize (named after the spared canine at the centre of the dispute ultimately determined by the High Court in Isbester v Knox City Council (2015) 255 CLR 135, was awarded to Annabelle Ballard for being the bowler who best demonstrated uncontrollable bias on the bowling green. Thanks to everyone who attended and supported what was a most pleasant evening and to Georgia Douglas for her sterling organisation of the event.
Climate Change Review
In December 2024, CommBar’s newest section, the Climate Change section, launched its inaugural annual review, the Australian Climate Change Litigation Annual Review (2024) (ACCLAR), at the Essoign Club. Launching the ACCLAR was the Honourable Justice Moshinsky of the Federal Court of Australia, who was joined by ASIC Deputy Chair, Sarah Court. The ACCLAR chronicled disputes throughout the Australian courts during 2024 where climate change issues were the subject of litigation across a broad range of practice areas and was contributed to by numerous CommBar members.
Irrespective of members’ views on the politics of climate change, there is a growing body of litigation concerning this
issue and CommBar members are well placed to assist the courts and represent all parties in these cases, whether they be environmental advocacy groups bringing claims, or large corporate entities (such as mining companies) responding to them. It is encouraging to see the Victorian Bar leading the way with this emerging area of practice and the Climate Change section of CommBar, led by Tomo Boston KC, Lisa De Ferrari SC and Veronica Holt, is to be commended for seizing upon, promoting and delivering this initiative.
Scholarships
These past 12 months have been most productive on the scholarship front. CommBar has awarded six scholarships to the value of about $45,000.
The inaugural CommBar Pegasus Scholarship was awarded to Lachlan Molesworth of Dever’s List. Lachlan was chosen by a sub-committee consisting of Paul Hayes KC, Sam Rosewarne KC, the Honourable Susan Crennan AC KC, Georgina Schoff KC and the Honourable Justice Anderson. Lachlan eclipsed four other outstanding applicants and will undertake a six to eight-week exchange in late September/ early October 2025 with Michal Hain of 20 Essex Street in London, a junior barrister practising at the London commercial bar. Unlike other CommBar scholarships, the Pegasus Scholarship is not needs-based. It is a merit-based scholarship and a legacy project for CommBar and the Victorian Bar. The scholarship is valued at about $13,000 and covers return air travel from Melbourne to London, a modest weekly stipend and an accommodation allowance.
President Paul Hayes KC speaking at the annual drinks reception at the Federal Court of Australia.
The CommBar Pegasus Scholarship will be offered again in March 2026, to be tenable in late September/early October that year.
Three Goldberg Scholarships (needs-based scholarships for aspiring commercial barristers which pay the Victorian Bar Exam fee and Readers’ Course fee, with each scholarship valued at about $8,000) were awarded to three incoming Readers from the September 2024 and March 2025 Readers’ courses. These scholarships are fully funded by CommBar and are named after the late, the Honourable Alan Goldberg AO QC (with the kind permission and support of his family).
Finally, the CommBar bursary (a needs-based annual bursary which offers a paid work placement for Victorian law students interested in practising commercial law at the Victorian Bar) valued at $3,600, which represents 90 hours of work at $40 per hour, was awarded to two students, who will commence their work placements later in 2025.
CommBar congratulates all successful scholarship and bursary recipients.
CommBar Drinks Reception
The annual drinks reception was held in April 2025 at the Federal Court and was a most entertaining, engaging and successful event with more than 200 CommBar members, judges and commercial solicitors in attendance. This event is popular with CommBar’s membership and those members of the profession who address commercial disputes, which is evidenced by the strong turnout.
This year it was especially pleasing for CommBar to have the newly appointed Chief Justice of Victoria, the Honourable Chief Justice Niall, co-host the evening with the Honourable Chief Justice Mortimer and the Honourable Chief Justice Alstergren.
It was a great opportunity for collegiality across the profession, and this was apparent from the many guests who stayed to the end. CommBar thanks Chief Justice Mortimer for generously making the Owen Dixon Federal Law Courts Building available again for the annual reception.
Special thanks are also due to Daniel Briggs, Raini Zambelli and Georgia Douglas, together with staff from the Bar Office, led by Executive Director Amanda Utt, who all shared the load in what was an impressive organisational feat.
Annual Trivia Night
The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) annual trivia night was held on 24 August 2024 at the Duke of Wellington Hotel and was well attended by corporate or in-house corporate counsel, together with representatives of CommBar. The event was again sponsored by CommBar and provided a convivial forum for members to build relationships with lawyers employed by the many corporate
clients who either directly or indirectly avail themselves of the services offered by the commercial bar.
CPD Program
As has occurred in previous years, most of CommBar’s 19 sections staged a CPD session throughout the year to keep members up to date with commercial law developments. Most notably was CommBar’s Insurance and Professional Negligence section, led by Gabi Crafti SC, which staged two very well attended and well received CPD sessions and in doing so, set a fine example for other CommBar sections.
This year saw the implementation of a new CommBar policy which allocates an amount of $1,500 to each section for an annual in-house seminar, to which solicitors are to be invited, with refreshments in the Essoign Club following the seminar, thereby facilitating networking opportunities. The CommBar/Essoign seminar package has been enthusiastically embraced by many of our sections and is likely to grow in popularity in the coming year.
Law Reform: CommBar Submissions
During the past year, CommBar made three important submissions to the Law Council of Australia via the Victorian Bar.
These submissions addressed topics ranging from the use of AI in commercial litigation and in the Federal Court (prepared by Fiona Forsyth KC and Dion Fahey), the appropriateness of online hearings in 2025 (prepared by Paul Hayes KC and adopted by the Executive Committee) and the proposed amendment to Rule 2.23(2) of the Federal Court Rules 2011, which seeks to restrict non-parties from inspecting documents on the Court file, before the first directions hearing (prepared by Mark Robins KC, Ben Gibson and Andrew Downie).
CommBar thanks all members who contributed directly and indirectly to these submissions.
Inaugural Member Survey and Proposed New Supreme Court Commercial Court Practice Note
In what was an excellent response to CommBar’s first member survey, 124 members provided feedback on a variety of issues affecting their commercial law practice at the Victorian Bar.
This feedback was very useful in informing CommBar’s contribution to the new proposed Supreme Court Commercial Court Practice Note, which is being overseen by Justice Delany and Judicial Registrar Gitsham.
As part of that process, representatives of the CommBar Executive Committee and CommBar’s broader membership (Silks and juniors) attended the Supreme Court on 27 May 2025 for a meeting with the Chief Justice, Justice Delany, Judicial Registrar Gitsham and Commercial Court judges. The meeting was most cordial and constructive and in
general terms (consistent with the feedback CommBar received from its members), CommBar suggested that the new Commercial Court Practice Note try to encompass the following four themes:
» the need for speed in commercial dispute determination (i.e. quicker and earlier listing of cases for trial with a certain hearing date; quicker hearings; and faster turnaround times between hearings and the publication of judgments);
» the default position for all hearings is to be ‘in-person’, unless good reason can be demonstrated otherwise for an online hearing;
» a more streamlined approach to the listing and determination of interlocutory applications under Part 8 of the current Practice Note (particularly with respect to the requirement for the parties to ‘confer’ prior to the listing of any interlocutory application); and
» to create or promote more opportunities for junior counsel to engage in oral advocacy, both in preliminary or interlocutory hearings and at trial.
CommBar sincerely thanks the Chief Justice, Justice Delany, Judicial Registrar Gitsham and the Commercial Court judges for including CommBar in the consultation process, in the development of the new practice note (to replace the existing VSC CC PN, dated 26 February 2024).
Looking ahead, the next 12 months is shaping up to be an equally busy and productive time for CommBar. In particular, CommBar members are looking forward to the next international commercial law conference which is planned to be held in Dublin during the week commencing Monday, 29 June 2026. Otherwise, as it has done for more than 30 years, CommBar will continue to stage informative CPD sessions, operate its increasingly important scholarship programs, advocate for members’ interests with the courts and government, and serve as a reliable and trusted resource in the community by engaging with the government and the courts on matters ranging from commercial law reform to the efficient and effective operation of commercial courts.
The CommBar Executive Committee is to be commended for diligently contributing to all undertakings throughout the year with enthusiasm, great insight and expertise, and a sense of collegiality in the finest spirit of the Victorian Bar.
Common Law Bar Association
Committee as at 30 June 2025: James Mighell KC (Chairman), Mary Anne Hartley KC (Treasurer), Lachlan Allan (Secretary), Julia Frederico (Assistant Secretary), Tim Tobin SC, Róisín Annesley KC, Andrew Clements KC, Maria Pilipasidis KC, Stella Gold, Paul Lamb, Daniel Nguyen, Megan Cameron, Simon Weir, Peter Haddad, Michael Clarke, Gavin Coldwell, Jessica Clark, Tristan
Nathanielz, Stephen Jurica, Kim Bradey, Peter Hamilton, Jessica Clarke, Merys Williams and Andrea Bannon.
The Common Law Bar Association (CLBA) continues to grow and promote the interests of its members and assisting the Court. As at 30 June 2025, the CLBA had 385 members, an increase of 18 at the same time last year.
In November 2024, the Compensation Law Bar Association determined to dissolve. This decision occurred in the context of declining work in statutory compensation and noting the existing significant overlap of the membership of the two associations. Complimentary membership of the CLBA was extended to all members of that association who were not already members of the CLBA. The CLBA determined to establish a permanent Compensation Law sub-committee as part of the CLBA. The CLBA wishes to acknowledge the work of all past presidents and committee members of the Compensation Law Bar Association for their work over many years.
A significant development for the CLBA’s membership during the past year was the decision of the High Court in DP v Bird. Since that judgment was handed down, the CLBA has liaised with the Victorian Attorney-General’s department regarding the significance of the decision, the views of the CLBA membership, and potential law reform. The CLBA is of the view that its efforts in that regard have been of great assistance to the Government and of utility to the interests of the membership.
Representatives of the CLBA Committee continued to meet regularly with judges of the Supreme Court and County Court in relation to the conduct of common law trials in both courts and serious injury applications in the County Court. In addition, the CLBA continues to be strongly represented on the various user or stakeholder groups of the Supreme Court and County Court. The CLBA sponsors industry events, such as those promoted by the Australian Lawyers Alliance and the Australian Insurance Law Association.
The Committee continues to act as a ‘post box’ for pro-bono referrals within the Common Law Division of the County Court to promote those referrals to its membership. This arrangement continues to facilitate the uptake of those referrals from the Victorian Bar. This process has been facilitated by the Assistant Secretary.
The CLBA’s Case Updates sub-committee continued to provide members with regular updates on notable judgments, rulings and decisions within their practice areas, while the CPD sub-committee delivered a comprehensive program of regular CPDs for members and solicitors working in the common law jurisdiction. The 2024 Annual Meeting and Dinner on 14 November 2024 were both very well attended.
The CLBA would like to thank all members of the Committee, and particularly those who have served on subcommittees, for their work throughout the year.
Criminal Bar Association
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Sally Flynn KC (Chair), Jason Gullaci SC (Vice Chair), Morgan Brown (Treasurer), Abbie Roodenburg (Secretary), Alex Patton (Assistant Secretary), Chris Carr SC, Robert O’Neill SC , Felicity Fox, Amit Malik, Zubin Menon, Sam Andrianakis, Shaun Ginsbourg, Susanna Locke, John Moore, Tom Acutt, Emily Allan, Sam Seoud, Carmen Currie, Briana Proud and Amie Hancock.
It has been another busy year for the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) with the Committee consulting with the Courts, the Office of Public Prosecutions, Victoria Legal Aid and other organisations to advocate on behalf of members. The CBA continues to enjoy a close and collaborative relationship with these stakeholders and has represented on various court user and stakeholder groups covering many areas, including forensic evidence, custodial service, and intermediaries.
CBA members were involved in providing feedback to the Law Council of Australia and Australian Law Reform Commission on various issues of interest. The CBA’s input is regularly sought by Government and other organisations on proposed new legislation and amendments to current legislation. Over the past 12 months, the CBA has prepared written submissions on many pieces of legislation, including protest powers, sexual offences, bail and youth crime. Thank you to those members who volunteered their time to produce high-quality submissions, often at short notice.
The CBA’s annual dinner in October 2024 was a well-attended and congenial evening while the Welcome to 2025 drinks function at the Mint provided a wonderful opportunity to mingle with colleagues and mark the start of the 2025 legal year.
A very successful two-day conference was held at The Sands in Torquay in March 2025 featuring excellent speakers on varied topics of interest and an enjoyable dinner on the Saturday evening. A highlight was the delivery of Aboriginal cultural competency training that was both thought-provoking and educational. The CBA would like to thank those members who organised such a high-quality conference and eagerly await the next conference in 2027.
As usual, the CPD sub-committee has continued to work hard to deliver a variety of interesting educational sessions of great value to members with different speakers and topics over the past year.
The CBA looks forward to advocating on behalf of members during the next 12 months and continuing to provide excellent education and networking opportunities to benefit all members of the association.
Family Law Bar Association
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Geoffrey Dickson KC (Chairperson), Caroline Paterson (Deputy Chair), Anna Goldthorp (Treasurer), Sophie Mariole (Secretary), Hilary
Bonney, Sarah Hession, Jeanette Swann, Gerard Holmes, Therese Borger and Alex Metherell.
During the 2024-25 financial year, the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA) farewelled Gerard Holmes from the Committee. The FLBA thanks Gerard for his many years on the Committee. During the past 12 months, Committee members have made valuable contributions to the family law jurisdiction, in the areas of increasing collegiality among members, drafting submissions in relation to proposed amendments to the Family Law Act and providing continuing professional development opportunities in workshops and meetings with external agencies.
In June 2025, the FLBA’s Chairperson Geoffrey Dickson KC, along with Alex Metherell and Hilary Bonney, met with the Victoria Legal Aid working group implementing the Family Law Counsel Trial development program. They will continue to liaise with the group in securing junior barristers and lead counsel to ensure the program is useful to FLBA members.
The FLBA’s CPD program, under the stewardship of Jeanette Swann, continued to offer a variety of presentations to assist members and solicitors. The Committee is indebted to Jeanette for all her work and to those members who generously shared their knowledge and time, making these presentations a great success.
In November 2024, members gathered at Higher Ground for the annual Christmas Dinner. The evening was a sell-out and attended by almost 150 barristers and members of the judiciary. It was a great opportunity to catch up and debrief with colleagues after a year of heavy caseloads for all.
Stefan Pantelis, her Honour Judge Jennifer Howe and her Honour Judge Evelyn Bender at the Family Law Bar Association barefoot bowls event.
The annual barefoot bowls event in February 2025 provided another opportunity for judges, their associates, members and solicitors to battle it out on the green. Her Honour Judge Evelyn Bender was on the microphone keeping a rowdy crowd in check.
In May 2025, nearly 200 guests attended a dinner at the MCG to farewell her Honour Judge Evelyn Bender. Judge Bender was thrilled with the event, calling it one of the ‘best nights of her life’.
The FLBA hosted a Hard Quiz trivia night for family law solicitors and barristers, which raised more than $6,800 for Guide Dogs Victoria, which provides the court dog Poppy to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Anna Goldthorp initiated and facilitated that connection on behalf of the Committee.
Many other Committee members have worked hard throughout the year, organising events, selling tickets, rounding up numbers and decorating venues.
Sadly, the FLBA lost a much-loved and long-standing member, Noah Eidelson. Noah had been battling brain cancer but still managed to complete his last ICL trial before finishing work. His dry wit and outstanding work as ICL Counsel will be remembered and missed.
The FLBA congratulates Chris Nehmy SC, who took silk in the 2024 intake.
Hock & Seltzer Society Barristers’ Association
In May 2025, the Bar Council endorsed the establishment of a new independent association of Victorian barristers that aims to support and represent LGBTQ barristers. Membership of the Hock & Seltzer Society Barristers’ Association is open to anyone at the Victorian Bar, including allies.
The Society will have its inaugural Annual General Meeting on 31 July 2025.
Interim Committee as at 30 June 2025: John Heard (Chair), Annabelle Ballard (Secretary), Eliza Tiernan (CoTreasurer), Dr Nadia Stojanova (Co-Treasurer) and Matt Collins AM KC.
Industrial Bar Association
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Jenny Firkin KC (President), Kate Burke (Senior Vice President), Alex Manos (Vice President), Leigh Howard (Secretary), Christopher McDermott (Treasurer), Marc Felman KC, Dimitri Ternovski, Franceska Leoncio, Jim McKenna, Cathy Dowsett, Joel Fetter, Eugenia Levine, Siobhan Kelly, Fiona Knowles, Brendan Avallone, Catherine Pase, Angus Mackenzie and Declan Murphy.
The Industrial Bar Association (IBA) is a group of barristers who practise in the field of industrial and employment law.
The IBA held a series of engaging seminars throughout 2024-25:
» Justice John Snaden, Justice Craig Dowling, Justin Bourke KC, Jenny Firkin KC, Kate Burke KC and Christopher McDermott discussed appellate advocacy in the industrial and employment context;
» Judge Andrew Palmer, Robert O’Neill SC, Felicity Fox and Brendan Avallone addressed the new wage theft provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth); and
» Alex Manos, Siobhan Kelly and Ben Holding presented on accessorial liability under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
Throughout the year, the IBA also engaged with courts, tribunals and other stakeholders about practice-specific matters. During this financial year, the IBA:
» developed a pro bono referral list for industrial and employment-based Community Legal Centres, Young Workers’ Centre, JobWatch and the Migrant Workers Centre;
» consulted with the Federal Court in relation to its National General Protections List Pilot Program; and
» contributed to Law Council of Australia submissions concerning online hearings and the use of AI technology in litigation.
The IBA’s (Almost) End of Year function was held at Bomba Bar. It was a fun and relaxed occasion for past and present members, the judiciary and Fair Work Commission to come together.
The IBA thanks all those who have contributed to the association this year. Special thanks go to the IBA Committee members, who have given their time and skills over the past year.
Migration Law Bar Association
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Georgina Costello KC (Chair), Min Guo (Deputy Chair), Angel Aleksov (Secretary and Treasurer), Cahal Fairfield (Membership Officer), Christopher Horan, Anthony Krohn, Roz Germov, Matthew Albert, Krystyna Grinberg, Evelyn Tadros, Adam McBeth, Matthew Kenneally and Kay Chan.
The Migration Bar Association (MLBA) continues to provide a formal and informal networking forum for barristers practising in migration law, both on the applicant and minister side.
During the past year, the MLBA has been consulted in relation to law reform and the operation of the courts and tribunals. It has also continued to deliver its CPD program and is looking at ways to expand the program’s reach, including to barristers who are contemplating taking matters
in migration law but do not currently actively practise in the area. The MLBA remains acutely aware of the scarcity of counsel in an area of law in which representation is vital to preserving fairness and the rule of law.
Congratulations to MLBA member Roz Germov who was appointed to the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Tax Bar Association
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Catherine Pierce SC (President), Andrew de Wijn SC (Vice President), Daniel Diaz (Treasurer), Khai-Yin Lim (Secretary), Nick Dodds (CPD Convenor), Melanie Baker KC, Gareth Redenbach, Andrew Roe, James Strong, Michael Wells, Piotr Klank, Steven Stern, Mark Gioskos, Michael Bearman and Jakub Patela.
The Tax Bar Association (TBA) continues to provide opportunities for younger members to network with senior members and members of the profession. To that end, the TBA held its fifth annual “speed networking” event with senior members of the Australian Taxation Office to enable them to meet new members and barristers wishing to practise in tax law.
The TBA also held several drinks functions throughout the year, including one in September 2024 to congratulate three new Silks who are members of the association, namely Meredith Schilling, Catherine Pierce SC and Andrew de Wijn SC.
The TBA held CPD seminars when a significant decision of potential interest to members and tax lawyers was handed down, each of which was co-presented by junior members and Silks.
Highlights of the year included: delivering the annual dinner in November 2024, with the Honourable Justice O’Callaghan as keynote speaker; and the continuing promotion of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal’s pro bono scheme.
Women Barristers’ Association
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Elizabeth Ruddle KC (Convenor), Sandra Karabidian (Assistant Convenor), Brittany Myers (Assistant Convenor), Marion Isobel (Secretary), Samantha Cipriano (Assistant Secretary), Monique Hardinge (Treasurer), Kylie Weston-Scheuber (Membership Secretary), Shivani Pillai, Deanna M Caruso, Natalie Blok, Astrid Haban-Beer, Ruth Hamnett, Marissa Chorn, Eliza Tiernan, Emily Golshtein, Jessie Taylor, Priya Wakhlu, Ashleigh Harrold, Jade Ryan and Rebecca Kelly.
The Women Barristers’ Association (WBA) enjoyed another full year of events.
In addition to the packed social calendar, the WBA focused on providing members with practical skills and insight into how they can grow a meaningful and sustainable practice at the Bar. This included hosting ‘Chatham House Chatters’, which focused on specific practice areas and phases of life at the Bar and the ever-popular networking event ‘Women in Wine’, which gave WBA members an opportunity to learn about wine and build relationships with colleagues, as well as hosting the usual social catch-ups in chambers. The WBA brought in a number of experts to speak to members and the wider Bar, including Dr Carly Schrever and Sally Ryan on vicarious trauma and Dr Fatima Khan on menopause and perimenopause.
The WBA also ran a number of CPDs, including ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It – the intersection between family law, tax and insolvency’ with his Honour Judge Peter Fary, Minal Vohra KC and Hadi Mazloum, as well as ‘Running Your First Criminal Trial’, led by her Honour Judge Trish Riddell and her Honour Judge Anne Hassan, with Morgan Brown and Liliana Dubroja, that gave attendees information about how to level up their practices to run indictable trials.
The marquee event for the year was the sold-out Business Development Day, which comprised of sessions about overcoming imposter syndrome and business development for women at the Bar, delivered by Alison Shamir and Ellen Hooper respectively, as well as a panel discussion about billing with Tammy Young, Kate Hay, Helen Symon KC and Natalie Campbell. The day concluded with a Q&A with the Honourable Justice Elizabeth Bennett, Lisa Hannon KC, Jennifer Batrouney AM KC, Emily Porter SC, Gabi Crafti SC and Liz Ruddle KC. This event was well received by presenters and attendees, and the WBA looks forward to hosting similar CPDs in the future.
Other events included ‘Breakfast with the Stars’ featuring the Honourable Justice Claire Harris and celebrating new appointments at ‘Leaps and Bounds’.
The WBA is committed to “paying it forward” and supported and sourced gifts and flowers through SisterWorks and the Beautiful Bunch, both of which support migrant and refugee women. The annual clothing drive for Fitted for Work was also a great success.
The WBA thanks its Committee, which has worked tirelessly throughout the year, and wishes to thank all speakers, presenters and panel members who so generously offered their time in support of the WBA and its members. Finally, the WBA extends its gratitude to the Honourable Justice Melinda Richards for her patronage and congratulates her Honour on her appointment to the Court of Appeal and celebrates the fact that her elevation brings that Court to equal numbers of male and female judges.
IV
Members of the Victorian Bar's committees contribute enormously to the activity of the Bar in diverse areas, such as overseeing education programs, running student outreach programs, instigating member wellbeing initiatives and the administration of the pro bono volunteer program. For more information about each committee, click here
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: The Honourable Michael Whitten KC (Chair), Dr Peter Condliffe (Co-Deputy Chair), Tasman Ash Fleming (Co-Deputy Chair), Tomaso Di Lallo, Mark Campbell, Emma Swart, Samantha Cipriano, Mark McKillop, David Kim, Temple Saville, Brad Barr, David Kelsey-Sugg, John Lai-Mun Leung, Sandra Karabidian, Nussen Ainsworth and Dr Michelle Sharpe (Bar Council Representative).
The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee thanks those members who retired during or at the end of 2024: James McDougall, Adam McLean, David Sanders, Annette Gaber and Darryl Burnett.
During the 2024-25 financial year, the Committee was assisted by and extends its thanks to Bar Office staff, in particular the Education team including Michelle James, Nikki Walker and Golam Kibria, and the in-house legal team, particularly Fernando Gallieto and Chantelle Calonge.
New Victorian Bar Mediation Centre
In February 2025, the Victorian Bar Mediation Centre relocated to Level 11 at 460 Lonsdale Street. To honour the occasion, the Victorian Bar hosted a launch event, at which Bar Council President Justin Hannebery KC and ADR Committee Chair, the Honourable Michael Whitten KC, spoke.
The centre’s expanded space has permitted the Committee to utilise its facilities for meetings and various events.
AMDRAS
A significant part of the Committee’s work during the past year has been concerned with the introduction of the new Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation
Standards (AMDRAS). Under the Australian National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS), the Bar was a Recognised Mediator Accreditation Body. To maintain a similar status under AMDRAS, the Committee, with guidance from Dr Peter Condliffe, former chair of AMDRAS, prepared the relevant documents for the Bar to be a Recognised Accreditation Provider and Recognised Training Provider. The documents were submitted to the AMDRAS Board and approved. While there are still changes that need to occur to ensure the Bar upholds the new AMDRAS requirements, the Committee continues to provide information and assistance to Bar members to facilitate a smooth transition.
Accreditation Sub-Committee
The sub-committee, chaired by Tomaso Di Lallo, considered and approved, where the relevant requirements were met, applications for NMAS accreditation, reaccreditation and reinstatement, as well as applications relating to the Victorian Bar Advanced Mediator (VBAM) Scheme 2019.
As the Bar is now a Recognised Accreditation Provider under AMDRAS, applications for accreditation, reaccreditation and reinstatement as a mediator are determined by resolution of the Bar Council upon the recommendations of the ADR Committee.
From July 2024 to June 2025, during the NMAS to AMDRAS transition period, the sub-committee received 15 initial applications, 83 renewal applications and five reinstatement applications. All applications were reviewed by sub-committee members and recommended for approval. Similarly, the sub-committee received three initial applications and 14 renewal applications for the VBAM Scheme, all of which were recommended for approval. The sub-committee has been working to assist VBAMs so that their experience may be recognised under AMDRAS as Advanced or Leading Mediators.
Courts Liaison Sub-Committee
The Courts Liaison Sub-Committee, chaired by the Honourable Michael Whitten KC, facilitated nominations by the President and subsequent appointment of a Victorian Bar nationally accredited mediator in:
» 27 County Court proceedings pursuant to the Victorian Bar/Commercial Division Mediator Referral Scheme; and
» 14 proceedings pursuant to the Victorian Bar/Family Property List Mediator Referral Scheme for County Court testators’ family maintenance proceedings.
The sub-committee reviewed and provided recommendations in relation to the Expedited Mediator Referral Scheme, as well as the nomination process for all referrals received as part of the County Court schemes.
The Court is currently working with the sub-committee to update the existing Mediator Referral Scheme Protocols. The Bar recently reached an agreement with the County Court Commercial Division to increase fees for mediators who are appointed under the scheme. The sub-committee will assist with the implementation of the new protocols and fee structures in the coming months.
Education Sub-Committee
The sub-committee, chaired by Tasman Ash Fleming in 2024 and Samantha Cipriano in 2025, arranged and hosted a number of CPD sessions and discussion groups for all Victorian Bar members. The program provided increased mediation-related CPD opportunities for the CPD requirements of practising certificates and sufficient mediation content for the purposes of mediation reaccreditation.
Since 1 July 2024, the Committee delivered four CPD sessions and six Mediators’ Discussion Groups via Zoom or in person. The online and hybrid sessions were very well attended. The sub-committee is planning a symposium in the latter half of 2025 to:
» promote reflective practice among barrister mediators, as required under the AMDRAS;
» enhance understanding of the requirements of dealing
with complex mediations;
» provide a networking opportunity for junior and senior mediators; and
» facilitate dialogue about changes to mediator regulation.
The Lawyers’ Mediation Certificate course was presented by Dr Peter Condliffe, Principal Instructor, together with coinstructors Alison Umbers, Eleanor Coates and Tasman Ash Fleming, and assisted by the Victorian Bar’s Education team and other coaches and assessors. The May 2025 course was held over six days online and face-to-face on Level 1 of Owen Dixon Chambers East, with 23 participants. The report from the principal instructor had not yet been received at the time of publication. This is the last course to teach the NMAS standards. The next training course will be devoted to the AMDRAS and training requirements.
The sub-committee is also planning the Practicum Certificate Course to provide a training opportunity for mediators seeking to become accredited as Advanced Mediators under the AMDRAS.
It also continued its work on the Mediator Mentoring Program, which aims to encourage collegiality between members of the Bar who practise, and those who wish to practise, as mediators, and to introduce newly accredited mediators to experienced mediators at the Bar. So far, the sub-committee has organised two coffee catch-ups (March 2025 and June 2025) at the Mediation Centre, with another planned in September 2025.
Publicity, Media and Communications Sub-Committee
This year, the sub-committee, chaired by Annette Gaber in 2024 and David Kim in 2025, published two newsletters
Victorian Bar Mediation Centre launch
and continues to work with the Bar on the accuracy of information on its website and the visibility of the Bar’s ADR capabilities and services on the website.
The sub-committee is currently refining the List of External Mediators information on the website and liaising with the Magistrates’ Court to ensure the information is consistent and clear for all relevant stakeholders.
The Bar also continued its sponsorship of the International Chamber of Commerce Asia Pacific Commercial Mediation Competition, which included the awarding of the Henry Jolson QC prize to the winning team.
The Chair thanks the Committee, as well as Bar Presidents Georgina Schoff KC and Justin Hannebery KC, and members of the Bar Office for their work and support on the various projects addressed by the Committee.
Arbitration Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Matthew Harvey KC (Chair), Vanessa Plain (Deputy Chair), James Waters, Amy Hando, Alexander Campbell, Huw Watkins, Dr Daye Gang, Sam Profitt, D’Arcy Hope, Nick Luxton and Christopher McDermott (Bar Council Representative).
Much of the work of the Arbitration Committee over the past year centred around the administration of the Victorian Commercial Arbitration Scheme (VCAS) and promotion
of the scheme internally. Several meetings were held by the Committee Chair with judicial officers of the County Court of Victoria regarding VCAS and the Court’s desire to refer matters, or parts of matters, to arbitration. VCAS received its first matter in March 2025 by reason of the relevant arbitration clause specifying the VCAS Rules. An arbitrator was appointed pursuant to the Rules however, the matter settled prior to any further steps being taken in the arbitration process.
In addition to administering VCAS, the Committee continued to promote arbitration as a safe alternative to litigation. As at the date of this report, the Committee was planning a lunchtime seminar in Sydney during Australian Arbitration Week in October 2025. The Committee continues to engage with judicial officers from the Supreme Court of Victoria, the County Court of Victoria and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in relation to arbitration and what the Bar can do to assist the Courts and Tribunal with their respective caseloads.
Committee members during the 2024 calendar year: Greg Harris KC (Chair), Matthew Harvey KC, Brenton Devanny, James Waters, Amy Hando (Secretary), Huw Watkins, D’Arcy Hope, Dr Drossos Stamboulakis, Bianca Sacco and Jessie Taylor (Bar Council Representative).
Art and Collections Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Peter Willis SC (Chair), Justin Tomlinson SC (Deputy Chair), Charles Parkinson KC, Meredith Schilling SC, Eliza Holt, Julia Frederico, Shivani Pillai, Luisa Frederico, Nicholas Bird and Timothy Goodwin (Bar Council Representative).
In December 2024, the Art and Collections Committee (ACC) farewelled Siobhan Ryan KC, Laura Colla, Melanie Albarella and Morgan McLay, who retired from the Committee.
The ACC’s functions are to advise and assist with the maintenance and development of the Victorian Bar’s collection of art and artefacts, and to assist in the promotion, preservation and protection of material culture belonging to and associated with the Victorian Bar.
In that respect, the ACC acts as an advisory committee to the Peter O’Callaghan QC Gallery Foundation (see page 13) and works closely with the Foundation on commissioning portraits of past and present luminaries of the Bar to grow and display the gallery collection, in accordance with its Commissioning Protocol. The ACC makes recommendations to the Bar Council in relation to the custodianship, maintenance, development, cataloguing, care and conservation, and display of art and artefacts associated with or relevant to the Bar. It also promotes access to, and appreciation of, the collections to the Bar and wider community.
Moya O'Brien
During the reporting period, the ACC added the following portraits to the Gallery:
» the Honourable Geoffrey Nettle AC KC (painted by Jude Rae);
» Jeremy Ruskin KC (painted by Juan Ford);
» the Honourable Gareth Evans AC KC (photograph by David Parker);
» Andrew Kirkham AM RFD KC (photograph by Earl Carter);
» James Merralls AM QC (photograph by his wife Rosemary); and
» the Honourable George Hampel AM KC.
The ACC conducted a series of successful unveilings:
» Changing Faces of the Bar, an updated and expanded photographic record of the modern Bar by Garth Oriander, which is on permanent rotation in the entrance foyer of Owen Dixon Chambers East. This was launched by the Honourable Chief Justice Debra Mortimer of the Federal Court of Australia in October 2024.
» Portraits of the Honourable Geoffrey Nettle AC KC (unveiled in August 2024), Jeremy Ruskin KC (November 2024), Andrew Kirkham AM RFD KC (March 2025) and Jim Merralls (May 2025). Each event was attended by a large number of friends and colleagues of the subjects,
with fine appreciations of the subjects and the artworks by the Honourable Robert Redlich, the Honourable Justice Stephen O’Meara, Gary Hevey RFD SC and the Honourable Justice Stephen McLeish, respectively.
» Memorabilia and relevant artworks from the Bar and Gallery collections were displayed to great effect as part of the Victorian Bar’s High Court Dinner in Melbourne in September 2024.
During Victorian Law Week in May 2025, the ACC hosted a conversation between the Honourable Susan Crennan AC KC and her portrait artist, Archibald Prize winner Lewis Miller. It was well attended, drawing an audience from outside the Bar as well, and the conversation was stimulating.
The ACC worked productively with the Bar’s new part-time and energetic Archivist, Steve Stefanopoulos OAM.
Further commissions are underway. The ACC is conscious that the collection should present not only a record of the great and good of the Bar of past years but reflect the contemporary reality of the diversity of the modern Bar. It will continue to review proposals from members and develop its own initiatives to achieve this.
The ACC welcomes proposals from Bar members for future portraits, in accordance with the criteria set out in the Commissioning Protocol, and donations of memorabilia, in accordance with the donations policy. Bar members may support the Peter O’Callaghan QC Gallery Foundation by making tax-deductible donations. See Foundation report on page 13.
Lastly, it is appropriate to mark the retirement from the ACC of Siobhán Ryan KC, who guided the committee for the past four years as Chair, having been a leading member for many years before. Siobhán’s effortless and knowledgeable guidance provides a standard which her successors are inspired to emulate. Fortunately, she remains a member of the Board of the Peter O’Callaghan QC Gallery Foundation and a source of counsel.
Audit, Finance and Risk Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Raini Zambelli (Chair, Honorary Treasurer, Bar Council Representative), Dean Luxton (Deputy Chair), Georgina Costello KC (Assistant Honorary Treasurer, Bar Council Representative), Michael Borsky KC, Tyson Wodak, Mark McKillop, Dion Fahey, Myles Tehan, Stephen Bunce and Michael Thomas.
The Audit, Finance and Risk Committee (AFRC) acknowledges the tremendous support of Amanda Utt (Executive Director), Mark Bryant (Manager of Finance and Membership), and all the other diligent members of the Bar Office and expresses its gratitude.
The Chair thanks members of the AFRC for their commitment and service to the Bar.
Andrew Kirkham AM RFD KC
Activities and Achievements
The AFRC oversees the Bar’s budget and annual financial reporting. It also monitors and maintains the Bar’s risk register. The AFRC’s most important responsibility is to oversee the preparation of the budget, including the setting of annual Bar subscription fees, and end-of-year financial accounts.
In discharging its obligations, the AFRC liaises with Bar Office management and external auditors. Working closely with management, the AFRC recommends a budget to the Bar Council, including member subscription rates for the next financial year.
This year, the Bar Council commissioned a full review of the setting of member subscriptions, led by the Subscriptions Review Sub-Committee with support from the AFRC. It is the first comprehensive review of subscriptions since 2009, when the Victorian Bar moved from a seniority-based model to an income-based model. Since then, it has become apparent that various anomalies have arisen within (and between) the different bands used to calculate member subscriptions. The Subscriptions Review Sub-Committee will consult with the membership base more broadly over the coming months before reporting back to the AFRC and the Bar Council in the next financial year, with recommendations about the setting of subscriptions in future.
Whilst the review is underway, interim steps were implemented for the 2025-26 year to reduce subscriptions where possible, and to address some of the anomalies. For the 2025-26 financial year, the AFRC recommended to the Bar Council that fees in each income band be recalibrated to achieve greater equity, whilst still ensuring that subscription revenue is sufficient to offset the cost to the Bar of providing services to members. Subscriptions were reduced for 202526 in almost every category.
For the 2025-26 financial year, the AFRC recommended a budget projecting a deficit, in part attributable to the current IT Project, and recognising the anticipated surplus for the 2024-25 financial year. The Bar Council approved the proposed budget and Bar subscription fees for 2025-26 with minor amendments.
Other AFRC activities included:
» reviewed the risk register;
» reviewed the Professional Standards Scheme;
» consulted extensively with BCL’s CEO regarding the status and impact of chambers vacancies, the proposal to manage costs associated with those vacancies, and debt recovery activities as to outstanding BCL chambers rents; and
» noted that the Victorian Bar’s IT Project went live in September 2024, and that the new system was utilised to generate member subscription invoices for the 2025-26 financial year.
Continuing Professional Development Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Zoe Maud SC (Chair), Paul Liondas KC (Deputy Chair), Dr Jason Harkess, Patrick Noonan, Krystyna Grinberg, Brendan Avallone, Tim Farhall, Christopher Hibbard, Caitrin Davis, Dr Aaron Lane, Michael Beaconsfield and Lana Collaris (Bar Council Representative).
The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Committee acknowledges and thanks outgoing members of the Committee: Rachel Walsh (Chair), Ian Horak KC, Premala Thiagarajan SC, Robert O’Neill SC, Amit Malik, Sav Korica and Felicity Fox (Bar Council Representative) for their work.
A total of 59 CPD activities were facilitated between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, of which 25 were delivered as in-person only activities, nine were delivered via Zoom, and 24 were a hybrid of in-person and livestream delivery. Total attendees at CPD activities for the year was 4,007. In association with the New Barristers’ Committee, the CPD Committee supported the New Barristers’ Conference on 21 February 2025, which was attended by about 100 junior barristers of less than six years’ call.
There was a range of content across the four CPD categories (Substantive Law, Barristers’ Skills, Practice Management/ Business Skills, and Ethics/Professional Responsibility). There were contributions from various Bar Associations and Bar Committees, most notably the Commercial Bar Association (12 sessions), Children’s Court Bar Association (eight sessions), Criminal Bar Association (seven sessions) and Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (five sessions). There were 11 CPDs incorporating ethics content, with three exclusively in the Ethics category. The CPD Committee held four meetings during the 2024-25 financial year: 31 July 2024, 20 November 2024, 13 February 2025 and 25 March 2025.
Main activities for the year were:
» developing a CPD policy, providing guidance to members for allocating CPD points to committee activities and similar;
» overseeing the activities of the Victorian Bar’s Education team in providing administrative support and resources to Bar Associations and Committees for the scheduling and delivery of their CPD sessions;
» providing advice and guidance to barristers on whether specific sessions or other activities attract CPD points (and any caps on points for such sessions/activities);
» collaborating with Bar Associations and Committees to develop a program of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural capability training;
» conducting a survey of members to obtain feedback regarding the Victorian Bar’s CPD program (ongoing as at 30 June 2025);
» approving CPD exemption requests;
» monitoring and analysing data on CPD activity; and
» overseeing the annual audit of barrister compliance with the CPD Rules.
For the annual CPD compliance audit, 111 barristers were randomly audited. Ten barristers did not initially meet the audit requirement and as such, were required to submit rectification plans. Of these, nine had complied with submitting rectification plans by 30 June 2025 and one barrister remained non-compliant. Additionally, 27 barristers ticked “No” on their PC renewal application that they had not met the minimum requirements of the CPD Rules. Of these, 21 achieved compliance by submitting rectification plans and five remained non-compliant as at 30 June 2025.
The CPD Committee thanks all barristers who have served on the committee this year. It also thanks Michelle James and Golam Kibria from the Bar’s Education team for their work in liaising and organising the delivery of the CPD program and the secretariat support provided for committee meetings.
Counsel Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: The Counsel Committee was reconstituted on 7 December 2024, consisting of Peter Chadwick KC (Chair), Fiona Ryan SC (Deputy Chair), Julian McMahon AC SC, Moya O’Brien, Ffyona Livingstone Clark and Felicity Fox.
It is assisted by Christopher McDermott (Honorary Secretary), Felicity Bentley, John O’Halloran and Rowan Minson (Assistant Honorary Secretaries).
The Committee thanks those members who retired in November 2024: Justin Hannebery KC (former Chair), Rishi Nathwani SC, Daniel Nguyen, Jessie Taylor, former Honorary Secretary Ben Gibson and former Assistant Honorary Secretary Elle Nikou Madalin.
The Committee is appointed pursuant to clause 63 of the Constitution of the Victorian Bar. It is comprised solely of members of the Bar Council and considers matters in relation to the granting, renewal, variation, suspension or cancellation of practising certificates and applications to sign the Roll of Counsel and makes recommendations to the Bar Council. The Committee also deals with matters relating to the show-cause procedure set out in clause 14 of the Constitution.
The Committee meets on an as-needs basis. Since the last annual report, it has met eight times. In addition to this, the Committee resolved three matters via email circular and held four meetings/hearings with counsel.
The 2025-26 practising certificate renewal cycle necessitated the review of 21 disclosures for recommendation to the
Bar Council. In comparison, this was more than the 16 disclosures from the 2024-25 renewal cycle.
Pursuant to the Bar’s Protocol for dealing with disclosures, the Honorary Secretary and Assistant Honorary Secretaries conducted 58 interviews with March 2025 Readers’ Course applicants and 46 September 2024 Readers’ Course applicants, many of whom made disclosures as part of their application. Following Honorary Secretary interviews with all applicants, recommendations were made to the Bar Council as to whether they should be permitted to commence the Readers’ Course and were fit and proper persons to be granted a practising certificate upon successful completion of the Readers’ Course. One application was referred to the Counsel Committee for determination.
During the 2024-25 financial year, the Committee considered 14 suitability matters arising from practising certificate renewal disclosures, out-of-cycle disclosures relating to fit and proper person issues or disclosure of automatic show-cause events pursuant to s. 88 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law. As at 30 June 2025, eight of those matters had been finalised (most requiring continued monitoring due to practising certificate restrictions/ conditions imposed or undertakings given to the Bar Council), one was the subject of a referral made to the Victorian Legal Services Board and five remained the subject of continuing investigation.
The Committee monitors compliance with conditions placed on barrister practising certificates, as well as undertakings given by barristers in relation to their practising certificates. As at 30 June 2025, there were 10 practising certificate restrictions and/or undertakings being monitored for compliance.
Overall, including suitability matters disclosed as part of the 2025-26 practising certificate renewal cycle and out-of-cycle disclosures, the Committee finalised 29 matters between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025.
The Committee is grateful for the support provided by the Victorian Bar Office, particularly Kai Li Zhu (Senior Inhouse Legal Counsel), Thomas McAllister (In-house Legal Counsel) and Chantelle Calonge (Paralegal).
Equality and Diversity Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Natalie Campbell (CoChair), Zubin Menon (Co-Chair), Kylie Weston-Scheuber (Deputy Chair), Fiona Cameron (Co-Secretary), Georgia Suhren (Co-Secretary), Nilanka Goonetillake, Kylie Evans KC, Anjali Griffiths, Eliza Tiernan, Franceska Leoncio, Lachlan Carter, Raymond Elishapour, Dylan IoannouBooth, Joshua Teng and Colin Mandy SC (Bar Council Representative).
Participants, mentors and judicial supporters of the 2024 Diversity Internship Program.
Overview of the Year’s Activities
The Equality and Diversity Committee (EDC) has had a productive and engaging year, continuing its work to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within the Victorian Bar and wider legal profession. A key theme in 2024-25 has been cross-committee collaboration, leading to joint events, CPDs, and submissions on issues of shared interest.
Key Initiatives and Contributions
» Victoria Law Week panel: hosted a discussion on diverse leadership.
» Court etiquette review: contributed to Bar Council materials on pronunciation and forms of address in court.
» Mandatory reporting model: provided feedback to the Australian Bar Association on the options paper for its design.
» Equitable briefing: provided a submission to the Human Rights Law Commission.
» Neurodiversity CPD: organised a continuing professional development session on neurodiversity within the Bar.
» Menopause at the Bar: co-hosted a session with the Health and Wellbeing Committee and Women Barristers’ Association.
» Victorian Bar News: contributed articles and commentary on diversity-related issues.
» Online hearings feedback: provided input to the Law Council of Australia on the appropriateness and accessibility of online hearings.
» Strategic Plan review: contributed to the Victorian Bar’s Strategic Plan 2024-2028, successfully advocating for the inclusion of diversity as a standalone objective.
» Diversity Internship Program:
» in 2024, expanded from three to six positions across the Supreme Court, Federal Court, Federal Circuit and Family Court, County Court, and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal; and
» in 2025, further expanded the program to include the new Administrative Review Tribunal.
» CARM member inclusion: initiated discussions to support Culturally and Racially Marginalised (CARM) members through roundtable forums and a dedicated working group.
» Stakeholder engagement: maintained close ties with external bodies, such as the Law Institute of Victoria and other diversity-focused professional associations.
» Ongoing advice to the Bar Council: continued to provide feedback and guidance on equality and diversity issues.
» Engagement with diverse networks: held meetings with various networks representing diverse lawyers.
Current Projects
» Equitable briefing expansion: working with Victoria Legal Aid and others to broaden briefing practices to reflect a range of diversity characteristics beyond gender, with a view to hosting an event on this topic.
» Reducing barriers to entry: investigating strategies to lower barriers to entry to the Bar and to encourage underrepresented individuals to pursue advocacy careers.
Working Group Updates
Cultural Diversity Working Group (Chair: Franceska Leoncio) hosted a Victorian Law Week event spotlighting culturally diverse leaders at the Bar.
Gender Equality Working Group (Co-Chairs: Dr KylieWeston-Scheuber and Eliza Tiernan) addressed issues impacting parents at the Bar; and organised a reengagement event for returning practitioners.
LGBTIQ+ Working Group (Co-Chairs: Lachlan Carter and Joshua Teng) supported the formation of the Hock & Seltzer Society Barristers’ Association, an independent initiative that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer identifying barristers at the Bar; and organised the annual Mooting Competition – now in its fourth year.
Disability Working Group (Co-Chairs: Anjali Griffiths and Dylan Ioannou-Booth) is planning a “Coming to the Bar” session for barristers with disabilities; and exploring the establishment of an internship program specifically for disabled law students.
Acknowledgements
The EDC’s work would not be possible without the commitment and generosity of its members and volunteers. The Committee is deeply grateful to all who have contributed their time, ideas, and energy throughout the year, and thanks the Bar Office and its staff for their ongoing and invaluable support of the EDC’s initiatives.
Ethics Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: James Barber KC (Chair), Minal Vohra SC (Deputy Chair), Dr Andrew Hanak KC, Christopher Carr SC, Renée Enbom KC, Christopher Brown KC, Sam Tatarka OAM, John Saunders, Patrick Over, Rachel Walsh, Sarah Cherry, Timothy Scotter, Alexandra Golding, Carmen Currie, Dimitri Ternovski, Lynton Hogan, Justin Mereine, Scott Cromb, Simon Fuller and Colin Mandy SC (Bar Council Representative).
The Ethics Committee is often the first port of call for members when dealing with ethical dilemmas encountered in professional practice. The prompt resolution of those dilemmas is important to individual members of the Bar, from both a professional and personal perspective. It is also an important means by which the high standards of ethical conduct expected of Bar members can be maintained.
The Committee continues to provide advice and, if requested or required, formal resolutions to individual members of the Bar confronted with an ethical dilemma. Advice and resolutions are often given in urgent circumstances and frequently within a short time of a request being made. In the 2024-25 financial year, 69 formal resolutions were issued to members.
The number of formal resolutions was far outweighed by the number of occasions in which Committee members engaged in informal discussions with individual members of the Bar seeking advice about an ethical concern. The availability of this process continues to be a valuable and efficient means by which members may seek assistance and reassurance on ethical questions that may not require a formal resolution. It is of particular assistance to more junior members of the Bar.
The Committee also managed grievances raised against barristers under the Bar’s Grievance Protocol, which remains as an informal dispute resolution mechanism that can be accessed by both members of the Bar and others who are aggrieved at a barrister’s conduct but do not wish to make a formal complaint to the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner. During the 2024-25 financial year, the Committee managed 14 grievances, one of which was resolved, eight of which were closed due to the fact they were unable to be resolved, and five of which are ongoing.
The Committee continues to be consulted by the Bar Council on a range of matters, including ethical issues that have arisen, and for assistance in responding to draft legislation, proposed law reform and other matters affecting the regulation of barristers and the rule of law. Most notably, during 2024-25, the Ethics Committee:
» provided comment to assist the Bar’s response to an options paper on mandatory reporting, issued by the Implementation Monitor for the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants; and
» provided advice to the Bar Council on ethical difficulties raised by the operation of the Case Management System Portal, recently introduced in the Family Division of the Children’s Court of Victoria.
In discharging the Committee’s responsibility for informing members of the Bar about developments in matters of ethics, members conducted or contributed to continuing professional development seminars:
» 12 November 2024 – How to Deal with Challenging or Vulnerable Clients: panel discussion led by Ethics Committee Deputy Chair Minal Vohra SC with Ethics Committee contributors Carmen Currie and Ingrid Braun;
» 24 March 2025 – Ethics Update 2025: conducted by Ethics Committee Chair James Barber KC and Sam Tatarka OAM; and
» 25 June 2025 – Ethical Mindfulness when using Artificial Intelligence: Ethics Committee contributors Rachel Walsh and Chris Brown KC.
The Committee continues to contribute to the Readers’ Course. In addition to an Ethics Introduction session, conducted by the Chair and Deputy Chair, six members conducted an Ethics Workshop for Readers where common ethical problems were considered and discussed.
During the year, the Bar’s new website went live and with it, the Ethics Hub component containing a large number of webpages prepared by the Ethics Hub Working Group, which consisted of James Barber KC, Christopher Brown KC, Sam Tatarka OAM, Patrick Over and Carmen Currie. These pages provide extensive information about ethical issues affecting barristers, especially commonly occurring problems. It is hoped they will be of assistance to all Bar members.
The Ethics Committee thanks former members: Daniel Gurvich KC, Justin Hannebery KC, Paul Hannan, Ingrid Braun, Eliza Holt and Lucy Line, each of whom made notable contributions to our work.
We are also indebted to the immediate past Bar Council President Georgina Schoff KC and the current Bar Council President Justin Hannebery KC for their unfailing support and willingness to address urgent and systemic issues of importance to members of the Bar and the administration of justice.
Finally, the Committee thanks Thomas McAllister, Inhouse Legal Counsel, from the Bar Office for his excellent and greatly valued support as secretary, including many attendances at short notice, late at night and over weekends and holidays.
Exam Committee
Exam Committee as at 30 June 2025: Christopher Archibald KC (Chair), the Honourable Justice Kristen Walker (Judicial Appointment), Rishi Nathwani KC, Christopher Carr SC, Stella Gold, Kathleen Crennan, Liam McAuliffe, Simon Frauenfelder, Dr Julian Murphy and Conor O’Bryan.
Chief Examiners appointed by the Bar Council: Ms Nadia Deltondo and Dr Nadia Stojanova.
The Exam Committee has responsibility for overseeing the design, content and delivery of the Bar Entrance Exam, to give effect to the purpose of ensuring that successful candidates meet the required standard of a base level of core knowledge common to key areas of practice, and to fairly allocate places in the Readers’ Course.
The Committee has been particularly active during the past 12 months, implementing significant changes following the recommendations of the 5-Year Review Panel (the Riordan Report) endorsed by the Bar Council. Those endorsed changes included:
» reintroduction of two exam sittings annually;
» separation of a single exam into three components:
Legal Ethics, Evidence, and Practice and Procedure, with a minimum pass grade of 75 per cent required for each component. Candidates can now also select between Criminal or Civil Practice and Procedure, and in recognition of that allowance, Evidence component papers have been set with a degree of choice; and
» accumulation of components: candidates can choose to sit one or more components at any exam sitting and accumulate credits for passed components across a period of two years.
Interest from applicants to sit the Bar Entrance Exam was strong during the past 12 months, with more than 250 candidates registering to sit one or more exam components at each of the sittings on 13 October 2024 at the Moonee Valley Racecourse, and 4 May 2025 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. Notably, the changes to the exam design have resulted in a higher percentage of candidates passing individual exam components and overall, a higher number passing than under the previous exam arrangements. The Exam Committee has been considerably assisted by the feedback provided by a significant percentage of exam candidates who completed a survey. This data assisted the Committee and Victorian Bar to gather insights from candidates and identify potential areas for improvement.
The Committee gratefully acknowledges and thanks the joint Chief Examiners, Ms Nadia Deltondo and Dr Nadia Stojanova, for their diligence and expertise in undertaking their important role over the past 12 months, working with the Committee in recasting the exam structure, and completing significant work in writing exam components for the October 2024 and May 2025 Bar Exams on schedule and within a relatively short timeframe. Their hard work is greatly appreciated.
It is important to acknowledge that administering and co-ordinating the exam in this new format has introduced administrative complexities. The Committee is ably supported in this function by the Bar’s Education Manager Michelle James. The successful delivery of the Bar Exam would not have been possible without the efforts of the Education team – Golam Kibria, Nikki Walker and Jen Moody – who also collaborated closely with the IT services provider retained by the Bar, Pseudo Code, to develop an exam dashboard for internal management, and accessible to exam candidates for tracking their progress.
Each member of the Committee is to be acknowledged and thanked for their commitment to this important work, supporting the standards of preparation and skills necessary to practise at the Bar while promoting access to the Bar. This includes the recently retired Committee members Emma Poole and Tasman Ash Fleming. Finally, thank you to the numerous members of the Bar who assisted as exam markers, and those who volunteered their time to facilitate candidate exam preparation webinars ahead of the October 2024 and May 2025 exam sittings.
Health and Wellbeing Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Michael Stanton SC (Co-Chair), Fiona Ellis (Co-Chair), Darren Mort, Emily Latif, Jonathan Korman, Amber Harris, Naomi Hodgson, Fiona Batten, Nicholas Walter, Peter Creighton-Selvay, Emily Allan, Christopher Brydon, Briana Goding and Moya O’Brien (Bar Council Representative).
The Health and Wellbeing Committee (HWC) was ably assisted by Miranda Tulloch from the Bar Office until the appointment of Dr Sarah Fischer, the Victorian Bar’s inaugural Wellbeing Manager (Organisational Psychologist), in March 2025. Since Dr Fischer’s arrival she has undertaken extensive work to improve health and wellbeing at the Bar, some of which will be highlighted below.
Psychologist Bernadette Healy provided invaluable assistance to the HWC prior to her departure in late March 2025. Over many years, Bernadette has provided barristers with support and understanding about barrister wellbeing and made a lasting contribution to health and wellbeing at the Bar.
Building on the work from last year, the HWC (sometimes in collaboration with other Bar Committees and Associations) held a range of CPD seminars and events that were responsive to the needs of members. This included:
» 14 November 2024 – a Gender Diversity and Inclusivity panel discussion with Dr Aileen Kennedy, a leading national and international scholar on Australian law relating to sex and gender;
» 9 December 2024 – a panel discussion on Neurodiversity at the Bar. This led to the formation of a WhatsApp group for support and discussion by those identifying as neurodiverse or caring for someone who identifies as neurodiverse;
» 26 March 2025 – a discussion led by Bernadette Healy on Life at the Bar: reflections on ways to create more psychological space for enjoying the journey;
» 8 May 2025 – the Stroke Foundation presented to members on the relationship between stress, hypertension and stroke and the risk to barristers;
» 13 May 2025 – Dr Fatima Khan, a leading specialist medical practitioner in perimenopause and menopause, spoke to members on the topic ‘Perimenopause and Menopause: Implications for Barristers’ Practice’; and
» 5 June 2025, Dr Andrew Carroll and Brett Bridges from Our Curious Minds, together with Dr Fischer, spoke about vicarious trauma and launched on the Health and Wellbeing website portal, three modules commissioned by the 2023 HWC. These modules are now available to all members.
During the remainder of 2025, the HWC intends to hold the following events and/or seminars:
» July 2025 – an introduction to PeopleSense by Altius (replacing Converge International) and the Bar’s new psychologists, Dr Colleen McFarlane and Dr Dominic Doyle. PeopleSense and the Bar’s psychologists comprise the new Member Assistance Program (MAP), providing members with access to crisis management, counselling and other health and wellbeing services;
» August 2025 – a discussion on the topic of responding to and processing judicial bullying;
» September 2025 – a discussion on the impact of using unhealthy coping strategies, such as drugs and alcohol use/ misuse, and management strategies to maintain a highperformance barristers’ practice;
» September 2025 – a panel discussion offering tips for new barristers by new barristers;
» October 2025 – a discussion on the VLSB+C Lawyer Wellbeing Systems Theory of Change framework, which is designed to guide the legal profession in making systemic changes to improve lawyer wellbeing; and
» October 2025 – a seminar on protecting psychosocial safety across barristers’ work: OHS rights and responsibilities for barristers.
Further, acknowledging that reflective practice is a powerful tool to reduce stress and improve wellbeing at work, the HWC, building on the success of the Reflective Practice and Debriefing Program pilot in 2023-24, is scaling up this
initiative so that more barristers can access it. The program aims to teach reflective practice skills, provide practical tools and resources, and create a safe space for debriefing experiences of stress, vicarious trauma, incivility, and poor wellbeing influenced by the work environment. Funding has been allocated for a service provider to run several programs and already there has been a significant number of barristers keen to participate on a voluntary basis.
Yoga classes for members and a Breathwork event are also being planned, with input from members.
During the past three Readers’ Courses, the HWC has been invited to speak on the first day of the course and is pleased this will continue for the September 2025 intake. This highlights the Bar’s emphasis on the significance of wellbeing for its new members as they embark on the challenge of starting their career as barristers.
A great amount of work, including the consideration of applications and interviews with candidates, has gone into the selection and engagement of the new MAP provider (PeopleSense), which offers a psychologist-led model for counselling and crisis management available to members and their immediate families for up to five sessions per year, plus wellbeing support (including nutrition, financial, legal, and other advice) for up to three sessions per year. Two additional psychologists were engaged, Dr Colleen McFarlane and Dr Dominic Doyle, and they will also offer counselling services. Members can view their profiles and contact details and information about PeopleSense on the Health and Wellbeing website portal. The Bar strongly encourages barristers who are in any way concerned about their physical or psychological wellbeing to seek help.
It has been a very busy time, with the HWC needing to manage the transition to a new MAP and the engagement
of new psychologists, whilst also ensuring members have continued to be supported throughout the transition period.
The engagement of Dr Sarah Fischer as the Bar’s first Wellbeing Manager (Organisational Psychologist), supported and funded by the VLSB+C, has provided vital strategic and operational support for wellbeing at the Bar. Dr Fischer partners with the HWC to support its CPD programs and events, and is an active member of the Lawyer Wellbeing Community of Practice, led by the VLSB+C. The HWC is very grateful to Dr Fischer for her work, including updating the usability and accessibility of the Health and Wellbeing website portal.
Human Rights Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Dan Star KC (Chair), Eugenia Levine (Deputy Chair), Esther Faine-Vallantin (Secretary), John Gordon, Joanna Davidson, Astrid HabanBeer, Dr Adam McBeth, Harry Lewis, Shanta Martin, Nikolas Barron, Chadwick Wong, Dylan Ioannou-Booth, Joshua Teng, Zeina Alhalabi, Yvonne Kushnir and Jessie Taylor (Bar Council Representative).
Committee in the 2024 calendar year: Dan Star KC (Chair), Eugenia Levine (Deputy Chair), Emily Latif (Secretary), Adam McLean, Joanna Davidson, Rohan Miller, Aggy Kapitaniak, Evelyn Tadros, Shanta Martin, Dr Adam McBeth, Julia Kretzenbacher, Bryn Overend, Harry Lewis, Nikolas Barron and Gemma Cafarella (Bar Council Representative).
Committee’s
Remit
The Human Rights Committee (HRC) is one of the Bar Council’s longest established standing committees.
As recognised in the Charter of the HRC, effective from 15 December 2017 and last reviewed on 10 October 2024 (HRC Charter), the HRC “reflects the role played by respect for human rights in upholding the Rule of Law, one of the fundamental values to which the Victorian Bar is committed, and the important part that lawyers can play in the recognition and protection of human rights”.
In accordance with the HRC Charter, the task of the HRC is to “raise for attention issues that affect the liberty and dignity of all persons where those issues engage human rights”. The HRC has a particular focus on issues affecting access to justice, equality before the law, freedom from discrimination and the arbitrary exercise of power, and adherence by Government at all levels to widely accepted human rights norms, including those established by the International Conventions to which Australia is a signatory.
The HRC receives referrals from the Bar to consider responding to calls for submissions or other comment on existing legislation or law reform issues engaging human rights. These typically involve systemic issues within Victorian and Commonwealth jurisdictions. Where possible,
Health and Wellbeing Committee Co-Chair Michael Stanton SC and Events and Communications Co-ordinator Stephen Porter at the 2024 RU OK Day morning tea.
the HRC seeks to work with other Bar Committees or Associations in drafting submissions for the Bar. The HRC does not generally address individual cases, unless doing so to illustrate or otherwise raise broader systemic issues.
Activities and Achievements
During 2024-25, the HRC met regularly in person, via video conference, and by circulating material outside of scheduled meetings. Since 30 June 2024, the HRC met on 1 August 2024, 12 September 2024, 13 November 2024, 12 February 2025 and 14 May 2025. Further meetings are planned for the remainder of 2025.
Substantial work is undertaken by the HRC outside its formal meetings, particularly writing submissions and otherwise responding in an expeditious manner to referrals that raise human rights issues.
Since late 2024, the HRC has contributed to a variety of projects raising human rights issues. These include:
» a submission by the Victorian Bar to the Law Council of Australia (LCA) for the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social and Legal Affairs Inquiry into Family Violence Orders;
» the Bar’s response to the State Civil Liability (Police Informants) Bill 2024;
» a submission by the Bar to the LCA for the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Reference Committee’s Inquiry into the Australian Youth Justice and Incarceration System;
» a submission by the Bar to the Attorney-General Department’s consultation on Enhancing Civil Protections and Remedies for Forced Marriage;
» a submission by the Bar to the LCA for the Commonwealth Attorney-General Department’s consultation on the Draft National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People 2024-2034;
» a submission by the Bar to the LCA for the Administrative Review Tribunal’s consultation on its Litigation Supporter Practice Direction;
» comments on the fast-tracked Bail Amendment (Tough Bail) Bill 2025 (prepared jointly with the Indigenous Justice Committee (IJC));
» correspondence to Court Services Victoria raising concerns about the confiscation by security staff of cultural and/or political personal items of court attendees;
» a submission by the Bar to the LCA for the review of its Principles for Determining the Appropriateness of Online Hearings (prepared jointly with the Women Barristers’ Association); and
» a submission by the Bar to the LCA for the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Review of the Future Acts Regime (prepared jointly with the IJC).
The HRC relies on the voluntary work of its members to make these contributions. It has received many other referrals to which it has not been able to respond and anticipates additional requests will be forthcoming throughout the remainder of the calendar year. The HRC intends to draft further submissions in 2025 on those issues upon which it has the expertise and capacity to comment. However, it is not possible for the HRC to respond to each referral that it receives.
The HRC also undertakes other activities. In late 2024, a sub-group of the HRC was arranging a CPD on Charter issues, to be presented to members of the Bar. Due to presenter unavailability, that CPD could not go ahead. A new sub-group is working on arrangements for a different CPD in late 2025 or early 2026.
Indictable Crime Certificate Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: the Honourable Robert Redlich AM KC (Chair), Sally Flynn KC (Chair, Criminal Bar Association), Patrick Doyle SC, Ruth Shann and Colin Mandy SC (Bar Council Representative).
The Indictable Crime Certificate (ICC) is an accreditation and quality assurance program overseen by the Indictable Crime Certificate Committee (ICCC) on behalf of the Victorian Bar and in conjunction with Victoria Legal Aid. Barristers seeking ICC accreditation complete an application that the ICCC evaluates and determines the requirements each applicant must fulfil before being eligible for ICC accreditation. Most applicants undertake a full-day Jury Skills Workshop, an Advocacy Assessment Workshop and an online ICC Knowledge Test. An ICC Certificate is issued when a barrister has competently completed these prerequisites.
The ICCC wishes to acknowledge those who generously contribute their time and expertise in support of barristers attaining the ICC accreditation. In particular, it warmly thanks his Honour Judge O’Connell and her Honour Judge Karapanagiotidis for facilitating two Jury Skills workshops in July 2024. The ICCC is also grateful to his Honour Justice Paul Coghlan AO for his ongoing contribution and support of the ICC program by facilitating five ICC Advocacy Assessment workshops over the past year. And it thanks the large number of volunteers, mostly law students, who played the essential roles of the accused, witnesses or jury members, which ensured the jury trials and assessment workshops were a successful development experience for barristers, and, it is hoped, the student volunteers.
During the 2024-25 financial year, the ICCC received 11 new ICC applications, bringing the total number of applications to 410, approved issuing ICC certificates to
five barristers who had completed all the ICC assessment requirements, and 35 ICC holders were eligible to renew their ICC accreditation after completing ICC maintenance requirements. Over the past 12 months, the ICCC approved and added 15 CPDs, facilitated by Bar Associations and Committees, to its list of ICCC approved CPD seminars suitable for meeting the ICC accreditation requirements.
In the coming months, the ICCC plans to revise the ICC Knowledge Test to include a section to test cultural competency. Also, to build the capability of barristers to effectively work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the ICCC plans to engage a First Nations consultant to provide bespoke education and training seminars that cover communication techniques for barristers with their clients, cultural considerations, terminology for families and witnesses, and ways to create a welcoming environment.
The Chair acknowledges the valuable contribution and work undertaken by each member of the ICCC and the Bar’s Education team, who support the Committee’s work: Education Manager Michelle James and Education Coordinator Golam Kibria.
Indigenous Justice Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Timothy Goodwin (CoChair), Christopher McDermott (Co-Chair), Siobhan Ryan KC, Jeremy Whelen, Adam McLean, Julie Buxton, Dr Julian Murphy, Cal Viney, David De Witt, Gabriel Chipkin, Sophie Coulson, Nicolas Muniz Saavedra and Candice Jackson.
Retired members: the Indigenous Justice Committee (IJC) thanks those members who retired during the year: Serena Armstrong (Co-Chair), Shivani Pillai, Raj Bhattacharya, Kate Stowell and Rabea Khan.
Judicial consultants: the IJC is grateful to the following people for their valued and continued support: Justice Rita Incerti (Supreme Court of Victoria), Justice Mordecai Bromberg (Federal Court of Australia), Justice Michael O’Bryan (Federal Court of Australia), Judge Arushan Pillay (County Court of Victoria) and Magistrate Abigail Burchill (Magistrates’ Court of Victoria).
Bar Office support: the IJC thanks the Bar Office staff for their support throughout the year. Special thanks go to Kai Li Zhu (Secretary) and Jo Dougherty (Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Manager) for participating in Committee and Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group meetings and for providing project and administrative support. Thanks also to Mark Bryant (Membership and Finance Manager), Sarah Samaraweera (Finance), Golam Kibria (Education) and Stephen Porter (Events).
Acknowledgments
The IJC is delighted to celebrate an increase in the number of First Nations barristers at the Victorian Bar, three of whom are current members of the Committee, as at June 2025.
Gratitude is also extended to the outstanding work and leadership of Co-Chairs, Timothy Goodwin and Christopher McDermott, and to Dr Julian Murphy and Gabriel Chipkin, who volunteered their time to manage and co-ordinate the Indigenous law students’ clerkship program and the Indigenous mentoring program respectively.
The IJC is indebted to the dedication of all its members for:
» their contributions to policy and law reform submissions impacting First Nations peoples;
» providing guidance and education on First Nations legal issues;
» the extensive efforts to engage with universities and First Nations organisations;
» advising the Bar Council on matters of key importance in the Bar’s reconciliation journey, including with respect to development, implementation and championing of the RAP; and
» working towards an increase in the number of First Nations barristers at the Victorian Bar, which forms part of the dedicated work of Committee members in their management of the Bar’s programs.
Reconciliation Action Plan 2025-2027
The RAP Working Group has worked closely with Reconciliation Australia, the lead body for reconciliation and the accreditation of RAPs in Australia, on the formation of the Bar’s fourth RAP from July 2025 to June 2027 – and its third Innovate RAP. At the time of publication, the Bar’s RAP had received conditional endorsement from Reconciliation Australia after extensive consultation.
Her Honour Magistrate Abigail Burchill (judicial member of the Victorian Bar) has contributed a powerful foreword, and all members are encouraged to read her reflections.
The Bar Council formally adopted the RAP on 22 May 2025, and the final design has been completed. The RAP Working Group is now seeking final endorsement from Reconciliation Australia. Once accredited, the new RAP will be published on Reconciliation Australia and the Bar’s websites. A formal launch event is planned for September 2025.
Policy Submissions and Advocacy
The IJC made significant contributions to important policy and law reform issues impacting First Nations peoples. Contributions to Bar policy submissions are built on ongoing work to influence law reform and advocacy in areas that disproportionately impact First Nations communities. These included:
» Youth justice: The Law Council of Australia (LCA) sought input for an LCA submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee in accordance with the terms of that Committee’s inquiry into Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system.
The Bar provided a submission to the LCA, which was informed by input from the IJC, with a particular focus on the over-incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
» Future Acts regime: In June 2025, the IJC collaborated with the Human Rights Committee on the preparation of a submission to the LCA in response to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) Discussion Paper entitled “Review of the Future Acts Regime”. The submission drew on extensive expertise in native title law. The submission emphasises the potential of the ALRC’s proposals to reshape and improve the future acts regime under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) for future generations. The proposed reforms could significantly enhance consultation and negotiation processes, enabling First Nations peoples to better protect their rights and access economic opportunities, which are often lost to First Nations peoples in the current regime.
» Bail reforms: The IJC provided feedback to the Bar Executive in respect of recent amendments to Victoria’s bail laws and their potential impacts on outcomes for First Nations peoples. The IJC is closely monitoring proposed Tranche 2 bail reform laws, due to be introduced later in 2025.
CPDs and Events
Pro Bono Awards: Victorian Bar’s biannual Pro Bono Awards were held in March 2025, recognising barristers who have made an outstanding contribution representing parties on a pro bono basis.
The IJC congratulates Julie Buxton, a member of the Committee, on being awarded the Uncle Jim Berg Award for outstanding achievement in pro bono advice or advocacy that enhances access to justice for First Nations clients either nationally or in Victoria.
Bugmy Bar Book launch: As a CPD highlight in February 2025, the Victorian Bar hosted the launch of the “Bugmy Bar Book”, which is a free, evidence-based resource for lawyers and legal decision-makers, as well as policymakers and other professions. A key function of this project is to assist legal practitioners in the preparation and presentation of material in sentencing proceedings to establish the application of the principles in Bugmy v The Queen (2013) 249 CLR 571.
The CPD was chaired by Dr Julian Murphy, with Damian Beaufils, NSW Crown Prosecutor, and Josh Brock, Public Defender. The purpose of the CPD was to explain to Victorian barristers how to navigate the resource, and how to use it when advocating for clients.
The “Bugmy Bar Book” may also have relevance in other criminal law contexts, such as bail and mental health proceedings, as well as in various civil law practice areas, proceedings before tribunals, coronial inquests and other inquisitorial jurisdictions.
Victorian Law Week: Timothy Goodwin, Candice Jackson and Christopher McDermott jointly conducted a “Great expectations” CPD on 19 May 2025, aimed at supporting First Nations practitioners considering a career at the Bar.
National Reconciliation Week: Theme for the 2025 National Reconciliation Week from 27 May 2025 to 3 June 2025) was “Bridging Now to Next”, which called on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us. For lawyers in particular, National Reconciliation Week provides an opportunity to remember how the law has often been used against Indigenous Australians, but also to celebrate the strength of Indigenous Australians and all people in overcoming forces of disunity. As with every year, the IJC promoted National Reconciliation Week events via InBrief to encourage member attendance.
Indigenous Mentoring Program: In September 2025, the IJC will host a networking event in the Peter O’Callaghan QC Gallery to celebrate and acknowledge the current participants in the program, and to enable them to connect with judges and barristers and other legal professionals.
The program has been running for some years now and is offered to First Nations law students and law graduates,
Julie Buxton and Uncle Jim Berg
providing each participant with two mentors (a judicial mentor and a barrister mentor). The program is designed to provide an opportunity for First Nations communities to link with members of the Bar and the judiciary, with the aim to assist participants on their journey towards a legal career pathway and to provide introductions and contacts within the profession that can prove beneficial and long-lasting as they progress with their careers.
Indigenous Law Students Clerkship Program: The 2025 program was a success. Five clerks each completed rotations at the Victorian Bar, Supreme Court, County Court and Federal Court, and much positive feedback was received.
On 5 March 2025, the County Court hosted a celebratory event. His Honour Chief Judge Peter Kidd gave warm remarks about the importance of the Courts properly recognising the impact of court procedure and practice on First Nations users of the Courts.
The Bar is also close to finalising a Memorandum of Understanding with the courts, which will further formalise the commitment towards this important program. The Bar is exploring opportunities to expand the clerkship to include other courts, which would provide clerks with additional choices.
Cultural Competency Training
Cultural competency training remains a key priority, with the June 2025 launch of the Cultural Capability Framework for the profession. The Victorian Bar will work closely with the Victorian Legal Services Board, Djirra, the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) and Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) to develop specialised modules for barristers.
Pro Bono Initiatives
The IJC is collaborating with the Bar’s Pro Bono Committee on the development of guidance materials for barristers briefed in pro bono matters, who work with First Nations clients.
Planning for 2025-26
The IJC anticipates the following key issues over the next 12 months:
Reconciliation Action Plan: Following the launch of the new Innovate RAP for 2025-27, the RAP Working Group will ensure that the Bar meets its deliverables.
Planned CPDs: CPDs are a standing item on the IJC agenda, with two CPDs being planned for 2025-26 thus far:
» A sociolinguistics CPD in August 2025, which will address crucial aspects of cross-cultural communication in legal practice; and
» A CPD examining the implications of the High Court’s judgment in the Commonwealth of Australia v Yunupingu [2025] HCA 6; 99 ALJR 519 decision on the recognition of
native title as a property right and the acquisition of such property on just terms.
Law Library First Nations collection: The IJC is working with the Law Library of Victoria on providing guidance and growing its First Nations titles collection.
Interstate collaboration: The Victorian Bar is strengthening ties with interstate Bars and Committees, particularly through continuing discussions with Damian Beaufils of the NSW Bar and Josh Creamer of the Queensland Bar about aligning our mentoring and exam support programs.
First Nations legal organisations: The Bar is committed under its RAP to investigate opportunities to improve legal service delivery by barristers to First Nations peoples. The IJC organises an annual conference with First Nations legal organisations in Victoria. In doing so, opportunities for improved relationships and support between the Bar and those organisations, including Tarwirri, VALS, Djirra and VLA are discussed. The Bar fosters the participation of First Nations law students, graduates and lawyers in the Tarwirri program annually and, where possible, increases their numbers in the program by actively promoting it directly with Tarwirri, the relevant educational institutions and law practices.
Law Reform and Policy
The IJC remains committed to working collaboratively with other Bar Committees and Associations in ensuring that any policy positions taken by the Bar are cognisant of the systemic inequities that continue to be experienced by First Nations peoples in their interaction with the justice system.
Treaty Negotiations and Education
June 2025 marked the closure of Australia’s first formal truth-telling process, the Yoorrook Justice Commission. Yoorrook’s final report and recommendations are expected to be made publicly available in early July 2025.
Australia’s first formal treaty negotiations are now underway in Victoria. As part of the Bar’s new RAP, the IJC has committed to annual educational sessions to staff, Victorian barristers and stakeholders on significant legal developments in the Victorian treaty process and issuing guidance on the statutory functions of the Treaty Authority and First People’s Assembly of Victoria, and the statutory process of treaty-making.
The 2024-25 year has been one of significant achievement and progress. The IJC remains committed to its core function of advising and assisting the Victorian Bar in relation to supporting First Nations barristers to develop and maintain successful careers at the Bar, for attracting Indigenous lawyers and law students to the Bar, and for implementing the Bar’s vision for reconciliation as set out in the RAP. The IJC thanks all who have supported this work throughout the year.
Innovation and Technology Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Juliet Forsyth SC (CoChair), Emrys Nekvapil SC (Co-Chair), Owen Wolahan (Deputy Chair), Glenn Worth, Sam Prendergast, Piotr Klank, Laurence White, Angelo Bartziz, Sanjay Schrapel, Michael Beaconsfield and Paul Jeffreys (Bar Council Representative).
The Innovation and Technology Committee (ITC) was chaired by Emma Poole until her resignation from the Bar in March 2025 to accept a senior research position at the County Court of Victoria. Owen Wolahan (Deputy Chair) stood in as Acting Chair until the appointment of new Co-Chairs Juliet Forsyth SC and Emrys Nekvapil in May 2025. The ITC wishes to acknowledge Emma’s considerable contribution to the Committee’s work since 2023.
During this term, the ITC’s work continued to focus primarily on issues relating to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) tools as they affect barristers. Additionally, it has continued core projects aimed at increasing the digital literacy and capability of the Bar and contributed to submissions by the Bar on various issues.
This year, the ITC facilitated working groups focused on cybersecurity, AI and reverse mentorship.
It continued engagement with BCL’s IT department, including regular briefings on new and forthcoming initiatives and the redevelopment of the Bar’s website, which was completed on 17 September 2024.
The ITC contributed to a number of Victorian Bar submissions to the Law Council of Australia including in relation to:
» a review of the Cyber Security Legislative Package 2024;
» Treasury’s Discussion Paper: Review of AI and the Australian Consumer Law;
» Attorney-General’s Department Consultation Paper: Use of automated decision-making by the government; and
» the Federal Court of Australia’s consultation regarding AI use in the Court.
The ITC also contributed to:
» submissions by the Bar in response to the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s Consultation Paper on AI in Victoria’s Courts and Tribunals; and
» feedback by the Bar to the Supreme Court of Victoria in relation to the Court’s AI guidelines published in May 2024.
In October 2024, the ITC resolved to discontinue its existing reverse mentorship scheme due to low participation by senior barristers and the increased work of Committee members in other areas. Variations or alternatives to the scheme will be explored in 2025.
The ITC endorsed a CPD in relation to paperless hearings, presented by Dr Matt Collins AM KC in February 2025, and
is planning an online CPD with BCL later in 2025 on the VLSB+C Minimum Cybersecurity Expectations.
Insurance Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Roslyn Kaye KC (Chair), John Tesarsch (Deputy Chair), Michael Gronow KC, David Klempfner, Darren Ferrari, David Kelsey-Sugg, William Thomas, Elizabeth Bateman, Ivana Smojver and Georgina Costello KC (Bar Council Representative).
In 2024-25, the Insurance Committee (IC) considered proposed changes to professional indemnity insurance, in liaison with the Legal Practitioners’ Liability Committee (LPLC) and the Bar Council.
The IC continues to review annually proposed wording changes by the LPLC in relation to its professional indemnity insurance for barristers. It has also reported to the Bar Council on issues relating to top-up insurance provided by CGU.
Information was prepared for In Brief to notify barristers about amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), which were tabled in Parliament on 12 September 2024. These included the introduction of new penalties for interference with privacy.
Investigations by the Bar, via its insurance broker, remain ongoing into options for cyber insurance for barristers and potential options for an income protection insurance scheme for barristers, with more limited disclosure requirements than other commercial offerings.
Further, the IC reviewed the application for a new Professional Standards Scheme, in anticipation of the existing scheme’s expiry on 30 June 2025.
In 2025-26, the IC intends to host a Victorian Bar CPD session, presented by the LPLC, that will focus on key risk areas for barristers based on claims and notifications.
International Advocacy Training Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Peter O’Farrell KC (Chair), Albert Dinelli KC (Deputy Chair), the Honourable Michael Whitten KC, Robert O’Neill SC, Sarah Thomas, Carrie Rome-Sievers, James (Jim) Doherty, Trevor Wallwork, Susan Gatford, Janine Gleeson, Astrid Haban-Beer, Carly Robertson, Andrew Pollock, Willem Drent, Thomas Ellicott, Simone Kipen, Lewis Winter, Evan Ritli and Ffyona Livingstone Clark (Bar Council Representative).
During the past year, the International Advocacy Training Committee (IATC) has successfully delivered advocacy training in the Solomon Islands, Tonga and at the Legal Training Institute (LTI) in Papua New Guinea. Further, the IATC widened the pool of prospective trainers from the Victorian Bar by approving two overseas Readers from Papua
New Guinea to attend the Bar Readers’ Course in September 2024.
In a major and exciting development, 2024 marked the first Train the Trainer Program, which took place in Melbourne, where 19 lawyers from the Pacific region participated in an intensive two-week program led by Victorian barristers, designed to build their advocacy skills and to empower them to deliver advocacy training themselves – some of whom did so with Victorian barristers in late 2024 at the LTI in Port Moresby.
Looking ahead to the second half of 2025, the IATC will deliver advocacy training in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, the Solomon Islands and Fiji.
This report addresses the Train the Trainer Program before detailing the IATC’s other work.
Train the Trainer Program
Melbourne – 29 July 2024 to 9 August 2024
The Train the Trainer initiative equips senior Pacific practitioners with trial and advocacy experience to teach advocacy to junior lawyers, law students, and legal professionals in their own countries. Its goal is to foster a culture of collaborative learning and expand advocacy training across the Pacific. Delivered by the IATC with support from barristers, judicial officers, and the Victorian Bar, it builds on decades of Australian and New Zealand support for the rule of law in the region. The program is run in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE) and the Pacific Justice Sector Program (PJSP). The following bodies provided key support: New Zealand Government: the PJSP, funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Justice, provides leadership development, training and tools, and support for judicial officers, court staff and legal advocates across 15 Pacific nations.
Australian Government: the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Government have partnerships with various Pacific Nations, including the Solomon Islands, through programs such as the Australia Solomon Islands Partnership in Justice (ASIPJ) and Papua New Guinea through the Australia-Papua New Guinea Law and Justice Partnership.
Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE): the role of the PNGCJE and the Pacific Centre for Judicial Excellence is to develop and facilitate ongoing legal education and training.
Victorian Bar: the Victorian Bar has been supporting the administration of justice in the Pacific via the teaching of courtroom advocacy and ethics since the mid-1980s.
Judiciary: the judiciary of the participating Pacific nations and in Australia were significant supporters of and
participants in the program.
Delegates
Nineteen delegates – 14 from Papua New Guinea, two each from the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, and one each from Fiji and Tonga – completed online onboarding, viewed Victorian Bar advocacy training videos, and studied a prepared case problem before attending the in-person program in Melbourne.
Intensive In-person Advocacy Training
Over six days, delegates undertook intensive advocacy training delivered by volunteer barristers and judicial officers through presentations and workshops.
Advocacy training sessions included:
» Advocacy refresher: the program commenced with a two-day advocacy refresher course, where delegates practised examination-in-chief and cross-examination using a set problem. They received feedback from Victorian Bar instructors, ensuring they could both perform and later teach these skills in their home jurisdictions.
» Introduction to teaching advocacy: the next two training days focused on teaching advocacy, introducing delegates to the Victorian Bar’s advocacy training method for evidence-in-chief, cross-examination, opening, and closing submissions. They learned to identify common issues for each skill, used the IATC teaching app to record performances and feedback, and practised giving peer feedback.
» Moot program: the final two training days comprised a moot program, where delegates performed each advocacy skill in sequence and provided feedback to each other using the Victorian Bar method. Instructors then evaluated the quality of the delegates’ feedback, reinforcing their capacity to teach effectively.
Courtroom Observations
Alongside six days of advocacy training, delegates spent four days observing civil and criminal proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria (SCV), County Court of Victoria (CCV) and Magistrates’ Court of Victoria (MCV), as well as in Commonwealth and Federal jurisdictions. They witnessed both jury and judge-alone trials and engaged in discussions with judicial officers in chambers. The program included a seminar on forensic aspects of domestic violence, delivered by experts from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (Dr Linda Iles, Head of Forensic Pathology and Dr Maaike Moller, Forensic Physician, Clinical Lead for Family Violence).
The IATC is greatly appreciative to the SCV, CCV and MCV, and the Commonwealth and Federal jurisdictions for facilitating and accommodating the program.
Cultural Exchange
Beyond advocacy training, the program fostered cultural exchange and strengthened ties with Pacific neighbours through social, cultural, and professional events. A highlight was a dinner at the Essoign Club on 7 August 2024, where Fiona McLeod AO SC delivered a keynote address on the importance of the rule of law.
Mentoring Program
Delegates were also allocated mentors from the Victorian Bar. Mentors were available to assist and guide delegates during the program, and a further source of cultural exchange.
Outcomes
By the program’s conclusion, all delegates had adopted the correct techniques for identifying and delivering feedback in line with the Victorian Bar method. They reported personal improvement, embraced their teaching roles, and actively discussed advocacy strategies, demonstrating increased confidence and engagement.
Delegates planned to apply their new skills in their home jurisdictions and stay connected to share advocacy and courtroom insights, aiming to strengthen standards across the Pacific. Now accredited as Pacific Victorian Bar Advocacy Trainers, they can deliver foundational advocacy training to junior lawyers, and the program gained media attention through SBS World News and an ABC Radio National interview with delegate Stacey Levakia-Wali from the PNGCJE.
Five-Year Program
Pacific Victorian Bar Advocacy Trainers are expected to assist annually with in-country advocacy training for junior lawyers, working alongside the Victorian Bar. Regular programs are conducted in partnership with the PNGCJE and other Pacific-based organisations, with goals tailored to
each participating nation.
The five-year objective is to develop a network of around 100 advocacy trainers across the Pacific to train law students, junior lawyers, and the profession in both criminal and civil advocacy, in collaboration with the Victorian Bar. Accredited trainers are also encouraged to apply their skills independently by organising and delivering advocacy training within their workplaces, legal training institutions, and law societies.
Melbourne – 16 June 2025 to 25 June 2025
The IATC ran a second Train the Trainer program in Melbourne with 17 delegates, including 13 from Papua New Guinea, two from Vanuatu, and one each from Fiji and Samoa. Similar to the first cohort, they attended civil and criminal cases in the SCV, CCV and MCV, and visited Commonwealth and Federal jurisdictions.
The IATC Annual Dinner was on 25 June 2025 with the Honourable Justice Adrian Finanzio from the Supreme Court of Victoria providing the keynote address.
Other Activities
Papua New Guinea – October and November 2024
The Victorian Bar has been supporting law and the administration of justice in Papua New Guinea since the mid-1980s via the teaching of courtroom advocacy and ethics. Post-graduate training is delivered by the Legal Training Institute (LTI) under the auspices of the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence before admission as lawyers of the Supreme and National Courts of Papua New Guinea. Successful completion of the LTI is a pre-requisite to admission to legal practice in Papua New Guinea.
This Bar’s annual advocacy workshop is intensive, both in
2025 Trainer the Trainer delegates, with Victorian Bar President Justin Hannebery KC (front row, fourth from left) and IATC Chair Peter O’Farrell KC (front row, third from left).
terms of the content and the effort required from all of those who contribute to and participate in the program. The cohort is typically comprised of 80 to 90 students.
In October and November 2024, an advocacy training team of 11 from the Victorian Bar and two trainers from Vanuatu, supported by the Australian Government in partnership with the LTI, delivered two simultaneous programs:
» Intensive Advocacy Skills program for a cohort of 92 graduate law students; and
» Phase 2 of the Train the Trainer program, involving upskilling Pacific lawyers to deliver the Intensive Advocacy Skills program alongside Victorian Bar trainers.
Phase 2 of the Train the Trainer program brought together Pacific trainers, mostly from Papua New Guinea, along with two from Vanuatu and 11 Victorian Bar trainers, to work with LTI student groups, providing feedback using methods learned in Phase 1. The Pacific trainers enriched sessions with insights from their own legal experience, and those attending multiple days improved their training skills. The Victorian Bar also delivered a CPD seminar for local lawyers, and the next annual IATC Intensive Advocacy Training Program at the LTI is scheduled for 10 November 2025.
Solomon Islands – December 2024
On 1 December 2024, a team led by Maya Rozner, alongside fellow Victorian Bar barristers Naomi Smith, Associate Professor Jacqui Horan, and Neil Hutton SC, retired Family Court Judge, the Honourable Nahum Mushin AM, and Judicial Registrar Ros Avis, travelled to the Solomon Islands
to deliver a specialist program on prosecuting sex offences against children.
Held at the High Court of the Solomon Islands, the program was attended by 28 professionals, including witness support officers, sex offences unit investigators, police prosecutors, and lawyers from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The Victorian Bar expressed its gratitude to the Australian Government, the Australia Solomon Island Partnership in Justice, and the Australian High Commission for supporting and funding the initiative.
The team also thanked the Solomon Islands DPP and his staff, Chief Justice Palmer, and the High Court for their hospitality and provision of facilities. The IATC acknowledged the contributions of Victorian Bar volunteers, Bar Office staff, and the judiciary members who assisted in designing and delivering the program.
Tonga – December 2024
In December 2024, four Victorian Bar barristers – the Honourable Michael Whitten KC, Remy van de Wiel KC, Sarah Thomas and Janine Gleeson – conducted a three-day advocacy skills workshop at the Tonga Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa. The program was organised in partnership with the Attorney General’s Office and Tonga Law Society, and supported by the New Zealand Government’s Pacific Justice Sector Program, the Australian Federal Police, the Tonga Australia Policing Partnership, and the Families Free of Violence Program. This marked the first Victorian Bar training in Tonga since 2019.
The workshop drew participants from Tonga’s legal profession, with 31 completing the full course and others
Participants in the inaugural Train the Trainer program in 2024 getting ready for courtroom observation.
attending part-time due to competing official duties, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Attorney General. It combined theoretical and practical components, with morning sessions on legal concepts and advocacy tips at the Attorney General’s Office, and afternoon practical exercises at the Supreme Court.
The training was structured across three focus areas: general advocacy on day one, evidence-in-chief and crossexamination on day two, and appellate advocacy on day three. This progression aimed to reinforce courtroom skills at multiple levels of legal practice, from trial preparation to appellate proceedings.
Lord Chief Justice Bishop opened the program by stressing the need for regular training in Tonga’s legal community and outlining his new practice direction requiring counsel to deliver oral closing submissions immediately after evidence, a change with impact on domestic violence, serious crime, and Court of Appeal cases. At the conclusion, Acting Solicitor General Ms Rose Kautoke, expressed interest in making the training an annual event, with feedback from all involved confirming its immediate value and the strong ongoing demand for structured advocacy training in Tonga.
Library Committee
Committee as at 30 June: Dr Paul Vout KC (Chair), Peter Willis SC (Deputy Chair), Dr Steven Stern (Secretary), John Gordon, Romesh Kumar, Tom Smyth, Lucy Line, Andrew Burnett, Dr Peter Turner, Chris Hooper, David Rofe, Eli Fryar and Mark Robins KC (Bar Council Representative).
Members of the Library Committee (LC) who retired in December 2024: Nicholas Bird, Angus McKenzie and Sarah Keating (Bar Council Representative). We thank them for their service.
Richard Brear, the Bar’s ‘Honorary Librarian’, passed away suddenly on 14 May 2025. Richard was almost certainly the longest-serving member of the LC, having served under Gordon Ritter KC’s chairmanship and for many years thereafter. Exemplifying the contribution that members of the Bar make to the collective good – in his case in unparalleled measure for the length and utility of his unsung service – Richard contributed many hundreds of hours to the organisation and upkeep of the Bar Library and the Bar itself, often performing essential but humble tasks until late at night and on weekends. He personally saved a large portion of the Bar Library’s collection after torrential rain in December 2018 caused flooding in the Bar Council Chamber. The Victorian Bar, the LC and Bar Library are all poorer for his passing. An appropriate memorial to Richard is under consideration, in consultation with the Bar Council.
The LC meets formally four times a year, with Law Library of Victoria (LLV) Director Laurie Atkinson and Library Reference Services Manager Belinda Schembri, routinely
invited to meetings. Working bees are also conducted from time to time.
Working closely with the LLV, the LC provides management of the Richard Griffith Library, and the library services provided in-house to barristers. It oversees the Bar’s collection of hard copy law reports, textbooks and journals, available at all hours to members of the Bar. These are housed in the library on the first floor of Owen Dixon Chambers East and in the adjoining Neil McPhee Room, Bar Council Chamber and Essoign Club, as well as in ‘branch libraries’ within various buildings. These branches are currently on the 9th floor of Owen Dixon Chambers East, the 6th and 12th floors of Owen Dixon Chambers West, 5th floor of Brian Bourke Chambers and on the ground floor of Dawson Chambers. Part of the collection also lines the shelves in the Bar’s new Mediation Centre in Castan Chambers.
Additionally, in co-operation with the LLV and via three computer terminals in the library, members have access to the full suite of electronic resources available in the Supreme Court Library, as well as training and legal research assistance.
LLV Reference Librarians continue their part-time physical presence in the library: Nadine Mann on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm, and Alissa Duke on Mondays and Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm. This is provided pursuant to the service agreement between the Bar Council and the LLV (LLV Agreement) renewed for three years on 1 July 2024.
Using the annual budget for purchases provided by the Bar to the LLV under the LLV Agreement, the LC again substantially updated and extended the textbook collection during this reporting period, with input from specialist practice associations of the Bar, the LC and LLV. The LLV’s current catalogue of the Victorian Bar collection of books and law reports can be searched or browsed online. Seventeen CPD sessions were held by the LLV for barristers during the reporting period, with 72 barristers attending. A further 48 LLV CPD sessions were open to all members of the legal profession.
In addition to up-to-date legal resources, the LC is the custodian of many valuable and historic texts and sets of law reports, many donated by distinguished members of the Bar and judiciary. These are gratefully accepted.
With the assistance of the Bar Office, between April 2025 and June 2025, the LC conducted an electronic survey of members with a view to ascertaining current usage of the Bar Library’s resources, and future needs, preferences and improvements. The same questions were asked when the survey was previously conducted in 2024. This has enabled the LC to compare members’ responses across the two surveys.
Some of the key results of the 2025 survey included:
1. Frequency of use of the Bar Library: 11.11% of respondents indicated they used the Bar Library “Weekly or more often” (compared to 13.21% in the 2024 survey). The largest response was “Monthly” at 38.89% (compared to the largest response of “3 to 10 times a year” or 32.08% of respondents in 2024), followed by “fewer than three times per year” at 27.78%. Two respondents stated they used the Bar Library weekly or more often. Only one respondent said they “never” used the Bar Library.
2. Primary use: the largest responses were equally “use textbooks” in hard copy and to “access digital resources”, followed by “use law reports” . This result was similar to the 2024 responses for use of the Bar Library.
3. Attendance by a Law Library Victoria Reference Librarian on duty in the Bar Library several times a week: awareness of this service was high at 83.3%, compared to almost 60% in 2024
4. Assessment of performance: as in 2024, nearly all respondents rated the performance of the service good to excellent.
5. Possible changes: the principal suggestion to make the Bar Library easier to use or more enjoyable was “better explanations as to how to access the digital resources” (25% of respondents, compared to 67.50% in 2024, when this response was also the most prevalent). The next most common suggestion was “regular in-person research skills training” (15%), compared to “book swap shelves to facilitate sharing texts” (25%) in 2024.
In broad compass, as in 2024, it appears that the Bar Library continues to provide the right mix of digital and hard copy resources, having regard to the available space, budget and demand. Members continue to be significantly aided by the LLV Reference Librarians. The results of the 2025 Bar Library Survey will be used to guide the LC’s future strategic direction. The consistency between the responses in 2024 and 2025 demonstrate that the 2024 responses were not anomalous and that consensus can be discerned amongst members as to their preferences for the Bar Library’s services.
The LC will take steps to ensure that new members of the Bar continue to be aware of the variety and depth of resources available in the Bar Library.
New Barristers’ Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Christopher Brown KC (Chair), Aggy Kapitaniak (Deputy Chair), Daniel Briggs, Reegan Grayson Morison, Antony Berger, Rebecca McCarthy, Chong Tsang, D’Arcy Hope, Josh Cunningham, Bryony Seignior, Sam Jayasekara, Kathryn Browne, Panagiota Pisani and Jakub Patela (Bar Council Representative).
The New Barristers’ Committee (NBC) assists and advises the Bar Council in relation to practising members under six years’ call. The NBC considers issues of interest and concern to this cohort of barristers, provides support and assistance where possible, and organises CPDs and social events.
The main event held by the NBC during the past year was the 2025 New Barristers’ Conference on 21 February 2025, hosted in conjunction with the CPD Committee. Attended by around 100 new barristers, attendees heard from a broad range of speakers on various topics. The conference was opened by the Honourable Chief Justice Niall and included members of the Bar, the profession and judiciary as speakers. Seminar topics included AI and the Bar, Navigating Health and Wellbeing at the Bar, Expert Evidence, a panel of silks and solicitors discussing “What we want in a junior barrister”, and a panel of judicial members from the Supreme Court discussing “What to do and not to do” when appearing in the Supreme Court. The event was followed by a networking function in the Essoign Club.
The NBC hosted other successful events, including the popular Coffee with Silks series, where junior barristers have a chance to meet and chat with silks in their practice area. This was held in October 2024, and a further series is planned for late October 2025. The NBC also hosted a Trivia Night in late 2024, in conjunction with the Law Institute of Victoria, which was well attended and enjoyed by all. The Honourable Justice Rowena Orr was the guest speaker and gave attendees some great tips regarding life in the law in the early years. In 2025, the NBC will host a Comedy Night where junior barristers will be given the opportunity to invite junior solicitors. An end of year lawn bowls event was held in December 2024, with a similar event planned for December 2025.
The NBC has been active in organising CPD events targeted at barristers under six years’ call. In particular, the NBC commenced a new initiative in 2024 for Readers with a panel-style Q&A session, where current Readers and immediate past Readers (by then, around six months’ call) come together to ask questions in relation to commencing a practice at the Bar. The NBC has also helped new Readers’ introduction to the Bar by hosting a networking event with the immediate past Readers. Two such events were held in 2024, at the end of each of the Readers’ courses, and again during the March 2025 Readers’ Course.
Another new initiative is a series of events titled Know Your Bench, in which a panel of judicial members from a particular court or tribunal are invited to present on tips and tricks for new barristers when appearing in court, followed by a networking event whereby attendees can meet the presenters. The first of these events was held in October 2024, in conjunction with the Magistrates’ Court. It was well attended and a great success. The event will be repeated in October 2025 with the Magistrates’ Court. A similar event was held in June 2025 with members
of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and its president, the Honourable Justice Woodward. Similar events are intended with the County Court and Supreme Court.
The NBC has worked with other committees of the Victorian Bar on important issues for barristers under six years’ call. The NBC regularly communicates activities via a newsletter.
In 2025, the NBC reviewed and updated a document available to all new Readers titled New Barristers’ Guide to the Bar. This had not been updated since 2009. The document will be regularly reviewed by the NBC. Members are presently working on updating the NBC page on the Victorian Bar website to include information and resources for new barristers. It is intended that the project will be completed in late 2025.
Practice Development Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Ian Horak KC (Chair), David Kelsey-Sugg, Rebecca McCarthy, David Rofe and Andrea Skinner (Bar Council Representative).
Pro Bono Committee
Commitee as at 30 June 2025: Geraldine Gray (Chair), Dr Laura Hilly (Co-Deputy Chair), Christopher Lum (Co-Deputy Chair), Juliet Forsyth SC, Kateena O’Gorman SC, Andrew Woods SC, Matthew Albert, Julia Watson, Alexander Campbell, Suganya Pathan (Pathanjalimanoharar), Sonari Fernando, Bianca Sacco, Nilanka Goonetillake and Fiona Ryan SC (Bar Council Representative).
2024 committee members: Geraldine Gray (Chair), Christopher Lum (Co-Deputy Chair), Dr Laura Hilly (CoDeputy Chair), Juliet Forsyth SC, Alexander Campbell, Andrew Woods, Amanda Storey, Anna O’Callaghan, Bianca Sacco, Liam McAuliffe, Nikolas Barron, Steven Lowry and Fiona Ryan SC (Bar Council Representative).
The Pro Bono Committee (PBC) supports the long-standing tradition of Victorian barristers performing pro bono work by overseeing the Bar’s various pro bono schemes. Pro bono work under the schemes helps improve access to justice for clients, promotes the rule of law and supports the administration of justice in courts.
The PBC’s work comprises three broad areas of activity:
» Victorian Bar Pro Bono Scheme;
» various court and tribunal referral schemes; and
» a collection of activities designed to facilitate those schemes.
The longest established of the schemes, the Victorian Bar Pro Bono Scheme, is administered for the Bar through Justice Connect. People seeking the pro bono assistance of counsel can apply to Justice Connect for such assistance. Justice Connect also helps with placing requests for assistance from bodies,
such as Community Legal Centres. Applications for pro bono assistance from barristers are assessed by Justice Connect, in accordance with its published eligibility guidelines. If the helpseeker qualifies for assistance, Justice Connect will attempt to place the brief typically by ‘posting’ the matter to the Victorian Bar’s Pro Bono website platform, or in some instances, will contact barristers directly. The Bar’s partnership with Justice Connect is long-standing and highly valued. The PBC thanks Justice Connect for its ongoing assistance and particularly notes the assistance of Nadine Bartholomeusz-Raymond, Rebecca Chapman and Heather Bell for their assistance with the scheme during the past year.
Various court and tribunal referral schemes, founded on protocols between the Victorian Bar and the courts and tribunals, facilitate pro bono services for self-represented litigants in cases already before those courts (Supreme Court of Victoria, County Court of Victoria, Coroners Court of Victoria and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia) and tribunals (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and the Administrative Review Tribunal). Through these schemes, the courts and tribunals are also able to seek the assistance of counsel acting as amicus curiae in appropriate matters. Requests for assistance are posted by Self Represented Litigant officers or other nominated persons from each court or tribunal to the Bar’s Pro Bono platform.
Additional activities which the PBC oversees include:
» Victorian Bar Pro Bono Awards: Held biennially. The next awards ceremony will be in March 2027;
» Disaster Legal Help Victoria (DLHV): The Victorian Bar performs a role as one of the partners of Disaster Legal Help Victoria. This scheme assists with the provision of pro bono legal assistance by counsel to Victorians affected by disasters in this state. PBC members represent the Bar at DLHV meetings and assist with the allocation of briefs for DLHV and its members, particularly in times of crisis; and
» Continuing Professional Development: The PBC organised several CPD activities in 2024-25, including a CPD held in conjunction with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in May 2025 to launch the VCAT protocol and scheme. Further CPDs are planned for the balance of 2025.
The past year has been a busy one for the PBC, with work being undertaken to establish pro bono schemes with both VCAT and the Administrative Review Tribunal. Both schemes are with matters seeking the assistance of counsel being posted as required onto the platform. The PBC has also worked on establishing strong connections with the Australian Pro Bono Centre and through this, has met on several occasions with members of other interstate and territory bar associations to discuss each Bar’s pro bono offering and method of administering that work.
The biennial Pro Bono Awards were held on 20 March 2025. The awards ceremony provided an excellent opportunity for the Bar to honour the many varying areas of law and need addressed by the pro bono contributions of its members. The 2025 Victorian Bar Pro Bono Trophy was awarded to Fiona McLeod AO SC in recognition of her significant commitment to and undertaking of pro bono work over many years. The PBC thanks the many members of the judiciary and other special guests who attended the ceremony. Thanks must also go to PBC members Dr Laura Hilly, Christopher Lum and Bianca Sacco for the incredible amount of work they undertook organising and administering the awards, and the Bar Office for its support with the awards ceremony.
Finally, the PBC records its thanks to previous members who dedicated themselves to advancing the committee’s work. It also extends its gratitude to Pro Bono Manager Lisa Paykel for her assistance over the past 12 months.
Readers’ Course Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Anthony Strahan KC (Chair), Ben Ihle KC (Deputy Chair), Chris Archibald KC, Oren Bigos KC, Albert Dinelli KC, Kate Burke SC, Erin Gardner, Ben Gibson, Rebecca Davern, Diana Price, Leana Papaelia, Alexandra Folie, Georgia Douglas, Mark Hosking, James McComish, Nicholas Walter, Patrick Gordon, Hugh Crosthwaite and Felicity Fox (Bar Council Representative).
The Readers’ Course Committee (RCC) has had another busy year. This year’s activities have been dominated by a change to the course structure.
As most will already know, in 2024 a working group, chaired by the Honourable Peter Riordan KC, made recommendations to the Bar Council about changes to both the Bar Exam and Readers’ Course, designed to facilitate easier access to a career at the Victorian Bar. The Bar Council accepted most of the recommendations applicable to the Readers’ Course, including that the course be reduced from nine weeks to six weeks and focus on the core skills of an advocate.
The Bar Council’s decision was implemented by the RCC. The Readers’ Course was restructured so that it is now delivered in three phases. Phase one or the ‘Preliminary Phase’ is a program of self-directed learning involving reading materials and some instructional videos. The object of this phase is to ensure all Readers have the skills required to start later phases of the course, introduce aspects of the Victorian Bar, and to offer some practical assistance during the transition to life as a barrister.
The next phase of the course is the ‘Intensive Phase’, which most closely resembles the Readers’ Course as it has traditionally been presented. It runs for six weeks, and during that period Readers are trained on a program of material that is predominantly, but not exclusively, directed at the core skills of advocacy; that is, oral advocacy in court, written advocacy, the drawing of pleadings and the settling of documents, particularly witness statements and affidavits. An extensive program of mooting is involved, as well as some instruction about evidence. While this phase of the course now focuses on the skills required of an advocate, sessions about sexual harassment and diversity at the Bar have been retained. In accordance with the Bar Council’s response to the coronial inquest into the passing of Veronica Nelson, a new session on cultural awareness was also presented by an external First Nations presenter as part of the March 2025 course.
Pro Bono awards (Back Row): Jordan Wright, Christopher Lum, Steven Castan, the Honourable Justice Kristen Walker, Tiphanie Acreman, the Honourable Chief Justice Richard Niall, Justin Hannebery KC, Fiona McLeod AO SC, Christopher McDermott, Felicity Fox. Front row: Ron Merkel SC, Peter Hanks KC, the Honourable Justice Michelle Gordon AC, Dr Laura Hilly, Geraldine Gray, Alexander Marcou, Callum Dawlings, Laila Hamzi, Julie Buxton, Joanne Poole, Kylie Evans KC, Emrys Nekvapil SC
SEPTEMBER 2024 READERS (FRONT ROW): James McNicol Smith, Gabrielle Fitzgibbon, Carmendy Cooper, Yvonne Kushnir, Edwina Dane, Ivana Smojver, Audrey Capasso, Sam Jayasekara, Andrew Tashevski-Beckwith SECOND ROW: Jennifer Vogan, Patrick Hurst, Tamsin Khor, Maddie Lees, Megan Styles, Eliza Panckridge, Panagiota Pisani, Rachel Matulis, Adam Meyer, Louise Brown, Carla Aumann, Daniel Wright-Neville, Stephen Moore, Esther Faine-Vallantin, Amy Yu, Kathryn Browne. THIRD ROW: Benjamin Yalehen, Anna Pogson, Alexander Thomas, David Ng, Bobbi Murphy, Jessy Biar, Thomas Bell, Megan Driscoll, Tully Anders, Merran Shanahan, Conor O’Beirne, Mitchell Kirk, Julia Wallace BACK ROW: Peter Harris, Daniel Ryan, Gorica Care, James Francis, Louis Andrews, Joseph Bourke, Ruben Clark, Duncan Willis, Nick Ferguson
The third and final phase of the course is the ‘Development Phase’. During this phase, Readers are required to undertake training in aspects of life as a barrister beyond the “core skills”. Some of the sessions in this part of the course were formerly presented in what is now the intensive phase. Often, content in the development phase was moved out of the earlier phase to accommodate a shorter intensive phase and because it was considered that the content is better taught outside the pressures of the intensive phase. The new development phase provides an opportunity to engage with Readers (by then, new barristers) at a time when they have their day-to-day practices to draw on as context.
The course ran for the first time using the new structure in March 2025 and was successfully delivered. Overwhelmingly positive feedback was received from the Readers. Many Readers appeared to prefer the truncated course to the full nine-week experience, even with its increased time pressures. The development phase of the course is now underway for the March 2025 Readers. Feedback received suggests that a number of the sessions are regarded as better presented after the intensive phase of the course, and many Readers seem to be taking more from them.
Important work was performed during the year by RCC working groups:
» Kate Burke SC chaired the Preliminary Phase Working Group, which was established to review what is now ‘phase one’ of the Readers’ Course, before the Intensive Phase. The working group has reviewed the material that Readers are required to read before commencing the Intensive Phase and will seek feedback from presenters and teachers as to whether
Readers are adequately prepared for the course and if more (or less) material should be added to the preliminary reading requirements. A compliance process will be implemented for the Preliminary Phase of the September 2025 Readers’ Course.
» Albert Dinelli KC chaired the Mentors Working Group, which implemented further resolutions of the Bar Council, placing more structure around the reading relationship.
» Diana Price chaired the Advocacy Teaching Working Group that developed a process for qualifying barristers to teach in the course. That work is expected to lower the barriers to becoming an advocacy instructor in the course, give more people the opportunity to teach Readers and lastly (and importantly) increase the pool of people who can be drawn on to conduct moots in the course.
» RCC Deputy Chair Ben Ihle KC chaired the Mooting and Moot Material Working Group that reviewed all moot material used in the Readers’ Course to ensure its suitability, accuracy and sufficiency of preparation time for Readers.
» Through February and March 2025, the material for moots offered in the course, including the optional streams of civil and criminal mooting problems, were reviewed by at least two members of the working group. The final assessed moots were reviewed by at least three members of the working group. Some thematic and typographical errors were picked up, resulting in amendments and hopefully a more seamless and issue-free delivery. Overall, the working group arrived at the view that the moot material was appropriate for the level of the Readers’ Course and
MARCH 2025 READERS (FRONT ROW): James Cameron, Maxine Lange, Matthew Harding, Jacob McCahon, Anthony Stavrinos, Kirsty Ha, Hannah McIvor, Sam Dany, Brianna Melville, Martha Browning, Ella Casey, Hester Kelly, Meg Stevenson, Jack Gracie, Beatrice Paull. SECOND ROW: Csaba Baranyai, Alexander Pemberton, Jervis Dean, Anna Dearman, Ryan Mallia, Manny Cao, Timothy Huestis, Tim Sackville, Harrison Charles, Stephanie Howson, Thomas Clark, Marcel Delany, Alex Lee, Tidja Joseph, Ben Kelly, Alexandra McLure, Megan Blake, Alice Cooney, Tess Simpson, Katie Gardiner, Sunil Kemppi THIRD ROW: Jarrad Mathie, William Liu, Declan Peacock, Nuwan Dias, Andrew Belyea-Tate, Daniel Miles, Jonathon Allan, Tom Carmody, Gabrielle Redmond, Giulia Frat, Penny Toniolos, Lauren Taylor, Georgina Long. BACK ROW: Harley Schumann, Kevin Li, Sverre Gunnersen, Keith Sypott, Andrew Spierings, Tim White, Patrick O’Bryan-Gusah, Alannah Slater, Tom Clelland, Nicholas Li, Jonathan Rose
that for all moot problems (injunction and plea moots aside) a lead-in time of around seven days was sufficient and appropriate. Nevertheless, as a result of feedback given by the March 2025 Readers, which was consistent with feedback from the September 2024 Readers, the working group decided to experiment with an earlier release (i.e. prior to the commencement of the Intensive Phase) of some moot material.
» Since the Moots working group performed its reviews, the RCC has been approached by members of the Advocacy Training Committee of the Australian Bar Association (ABA) to gauge interest in sharing the Victorian Bar’s moot material with other states (and the ABA) and vice versa. These matters are the subject of ongoing discussion and will likely result in a recommendation from the RCC to the Bar Council in due course.
» If the proposed moot material sharing between the bars of different states comes to fruition, the working group will have more material to review and consider for deployment in the Victorian Bar Readers’ Course.
» James McComish chaired the Sensitive Content Working Group, which has been grappling with the difficult issue of what limits should apply to exposing Readers to sensitive or graphic content as part of their education as a barrister.
» Feedback Working Group (normally chaired by RCC Chair Anthony Strahan KC and driven by its enthusiastic members) has been focused on improving the feedback received from Readers about the course and analysing that for the benefit of the Course Review Working Group.
» Development Phase Working Group, also chaired by
Anthony Strahan KC, will review the performance of this phase of the course. The Development Phase requires Readers to complete six mandatory developmental sessions (scheduled twice annually) within two years of the Intensive Phase. An online compliance process has been developed and implemented as part of the Readers’ Course LMS portal.
» Course Review Working Group, chaired by Anthony Strahan KC, has performed an important role, first in designing the restructured course and then in seeking to improve the course scheduled to run in August and September 2025, assisted by the important work of the other working groups.
The Readers’ Course Executive also worked hard during the year. Its function is to deal with applications received from Readers (or putative Readers) for exemptions from the ordinary requirements to come to the Bar (Exam and Readers’ Course). The most challenging applications tend to come from candidates from other jurisdictions, especially those without the same concept of an independent Bar.
In the latter part of 2024, Ben Ihle KC chaired an ad hoc working group that redrafted the regulations that apply to entry to the Bar as the Membership Examination and Reading Regulations. In that task he was ably assisted by members of the working group, particularly James McComish and Mark Hosking, who did the lion’s share of the drafting, and they did an excellent job.
The RCC would like to thank Chris Archibald KC, and the members of the Exam Committee. Their hard work has made the RCC’s task easier.
Of course, the Readers’ Course depends on the voluntary contributions of many barristers and judicial officers. The RCC thanks all of them for their efforts, especially those who teach during Advocacy Week. Their (week-long) contribution, course after course, is to be applauded.
As the RCC looks ahead, there appears to be increasing demand for places in the Readers’ Course, and the Bar faces a significant challenge in accommodating that increased demand. One of the difficult issues currently facing the RCC (and the Bar Council) is how best to balance the desire to meet that demand against the considerable resources that may be required to achieve that objective. In resolving that question it will be important to understand whether the demand is likely to be sustained, or whether we are presently seeing a temporary spike in the number of people wishing to come to the Bar. The work of the RCC over the next term is likely to focus on how best to address this issue.
The RCC acknowledges and extends a warm thank you to the retiring committee members (in November 2024): Chris O’Grady KC, Aphrodite Kouloubaritsis, Nadia Deltondo and Owen Nanlohy for their valued service and commitment. Last, but by no means least, the RCC extends its gratitude to the Bar’s dedicated Education team: Michelle James, Nikki Walker, Golam Kibria and Jen Moody for their care, hard work and excellent service in supporting the committee over the past year. The Education team has worked extremely hard in administering and implementing recent changes to the Readers’ Course and Bar Exam, and that work was done alongside developing the Readers’ Course LMS on the Bar’s new technology platform. The RCC is hugely appreciative of their efforts.
Student Engagement Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Alison Umbers and Adam Rollnik (Co-Chairs), Bonnie Renou (Secretary), Zeina Alhalabi, Maria Cananzi, Matthew Weinman, Dr Andrew Newman, Angus Willoughby, Dr Ashleigh Best, Glenn Worth, Chris Hooper, Eugenia Levine and Gemma Cafarella (Bar Council Representative).
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Student Engagement Committee (SEC), which began in June 2010 as the “Universities and Schools Working Group”. The objective of the SEC is the same now as it was then, namely, to provide secondary and tertiary students with a greater understanding of the work of a barrister, and the pathways to a career at the Bar.
2024-25 Activities
The SEC’s key activities during the past year included:
» Shadowing program: this continues to be one of the SEC’s signature projects. Forty barristers hosted 40 university students selected by Victoria University, Deakin University, La Trobe University and RMIT. The program ran for six weeks between April and May 2025. Participating students observed the work of barristers in court and in chambers and, where appropriate, assisted with supervised tasks. In accordance with the SEC’s Charter, the program is targeted at university students from diverse backgrounds or who do not have existing links to the legal profession. The program’s offering is extended through the SEC’s strong working relationships with organisations, including the Coroners Court and Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Judicial College of Victoria, the Juries Commissioner of Victoria, Sentencing Advisory Council and Leo Cussen Centre for Law. The SEC extends its sincere thanks to all barristers who agreed to be part of the program, including barristers who judged the moots held on the final day of the program and provided valuable feedback to the students.
» Victorian Law Week: the SEC again ran the CrossExamine a Barrister event in 2025, where a friendly panel of barristers responded to (sometimes challenging) questions from the audience. Thank you to the panellists for being so willing to share their insights and experiences and for being such good sports.
» Guide to work opportunities with a barrister: the SEC has developed a guide to assist in responding to general inquiries received by SEC members and the Bar Office from students seeking opportunities to work with a barrister.
» Secondary school presentations: SEC members have travelled to metropolitan and regional schools to present to secondary school students, including Swinburne Senior Secondary College, Brighton Secondary College, Antoine College, Grovedale College, Geelong Lutheran College, Horsham College, Wedderburn College, Oberon High School and Suzanne Cory High School.
» Secondary school careers fairs: In May 2025, SEC members attended a combined Careers Fair, hosted by Melbourne Grammar School and Melbourne Girls’ Grammar.
» Metro Law Talks: SEC members participated in the Victoria Law Foundation’s Metro Law Talks at the County Court of Victoria in the first half of 2025, where they each presented to more than 100 VCE students.
» University careers fairs: the SEC continued its regular participation in university careers fairs, including the RMIT Careers Expo on 8 May 2025.
Acknowledgements
The SEC wishes to acknowledge the support of:
» Lisa Paykel from the Bar Office, who supported the SEC with unwavering cheer and capability, particularly in the administration of the shadowing program;
» Fabiola Superina from the Victoria Law Foundation, who regularly keeps the SEC informed of opportunities to present to secondary school students throughout the year and with whom the SEC has developed an excellent working relationship;
» Commercial Bar Association for its generous support of the Shadowing Program through the CommBar Bursary;
» the 40 barristers who agreed to be part of the Shadowing Program;
» retiring committee members (in November 2024); and
» the continued service of Bonnie Renou, who this year resigned as Co-Chair after years of dedicated service, but who agreed to continue her valuable contribution as secretary and committee member.
Victorian Bar News Editorial Committee
Committee as at 30 June 2025: Editors Timothy Jeffrie, Angelo Germano, Alexander Di Stefano, Jessica Elliott and Consultant Editor Maree Norton SC. Committee Members, Joel Silver, Owen Wolahan, Angelo Bartzis, Angus Willoughby, Annabelle Ballard, Liz Main, Sebastian Campbell, Rachel Matulis, Ivana Smojver and Moya O’Brien (Bar Council Representative).
The new Victorian Bar News (VBN) Editorial Committee has been operating efficiently, having implemented improved processes during the past 12 months.
During 2024-25, the Committee published two issues of the magazine, consistent with the production schedule. During this period, the Committee also refined and improved the editorial process, both within the committee and with external editor Peter Barrett. This included updating the style guide.
To produce VBN, the Committee maintains an updated content schedule that is regularly reviewed. During meetings, specific responsibilities from the schedule are assigned to members who collaborate on ideas and recruit contributors/authors.
Additionally, editors convene regularly to discuss and decide on the focus of the magazine, make editorial decisions, and oversee task completion.
The Bar Office, especially Yola Beaini (and Sharni Doherty), who played a crucial role in supporting the Committee with administrative tasks. External editorial support was provided by Peter Barrett (Editor) and Guy Shield (Illustrator). The editors and the Committee are grateful for their assistance.
Victorian Bar News Editorial Committee (BACK ROW): Rachel Matulis, Ivana Smojver, Angus Willoughby, Jessica Elliott, Tim Jeffrie, Maree Norton SC, Sebastian Campbell FRONT ROW: Owen Wolahan, Angelo Germano, Liz Main, Alexander Di Stefano
VPart V appointments and Membership
Public, Judicial and Other Office
The Victorian Bar congratulates members appointed to Public, Judicial and other Office:
Commonwealth Appointments
Federal Court of Australia
The Honourable Justice Elizabeth Bennett
The Honourable Justice Graeme Hill
Judicial Registrar Michael Gronow KC
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
His Honour Judge Philip Corbett – Division 2 (Melbourne Registry)
His Honour Judge Peter Fary – Division 2 (Melbourne Registry)
The Honourable Justice Anna Parker – Division 1 (Adelaide Registry)
The Honourable Justice Joanne Stewart – Division 1 (Adelaide Registry)
Victorian Appointments
Supreme Court of Victoria
The Honourable Chief Justice
Richard Niall
Court of Appeal
The Honourable Justice Peter Kidd
The Honourable Justice Melinda
Richards
Trial Division
The Honourable Justice Kerri Judd
The Honourable Justice Adrian Finanzio
County Court of Victoria
Her Honour Judge Krista Breckweg
His Honour Judge Justin Lewis
Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
His Honour Magistrate James FitzGerald
His Honour Magistrate Matthew Page
Joint Standing Committees
Law Aid
(Victorian Bar Incorporated and Law Institute of Victoria)
James Mighell KC (Chair) and Michelle Britbart KC (Trustee)
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
Sarah Porritt
Crown Prosecutor for the State of Victoria
Jamie (Jim) Shaw
Nadia Kaddeche
Ariadne French
Liam McAuliffe
Crown Counsel for the State of Victoria
Sarah Keating
Medico-Legal Joint Standing Committee
Tim Tobin SC, Mary Anne Hartley KC and Marietta Bylhouwer
National Legal Profession Representative Bodies
Australian Bar Association
Board of Directors
RÓisín Annesley KC (President) and Sam Hay KC (Victorian Bar Representative – Chair of Conferences)
Constituent Body Representative
Justin Hannebery KC
Committees
Criminal Law Committee
Zoe Broughton and Zubin Menon
Cybersecurity Committee Michael Seelig
Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Christopher McDermott
Law Council of Australia
Executive Member
Lachlan Molesworth
Constituent Body Representative
Timothy Goodwin
Ethics Committee
Dr Michael Rush KC, Patrick Doyle SC, Maree Norton and Maya Narayan
Family Law Committee
Tim Puckey KC and Andrew Barbayannis
First Nations Issues Committee
Thomas Keely SC, Anne Sheehan and David Yarrow
Advisory Committees and Working Groups
Access to Justice Committee
Dr David Neal SC (Co-Chair)
Business and Human Rights Committee
Shanta Martin
Equal Opportunity Committee
Kylie Evans KC
Legal Practice Section
Business Law Section
Dr Elizabeth Boros KC (Treasurer)
Family Law Section
Executive Committee
Dr Robin Colesmith
Federal Dispute Resolution Section
Executive Committee
Georgina Costello KC
Futures Committee
Sam Prendergast
Indigenous Legal Issues Committee Julie Buxton
National Criminal Law Committee
Dr David Neal SC (Co-Chair), David Grace KC, Paul Holdenson KC and Michael Stanton SC
Customs and International Transactions Committee Dean Merriman (Chair)
International Committee
Paul Hayes KC, Ian Horak SC, Raini Zambelli and Huw Watkins
Taxation Committee
Jennifer Batrouney AM KC, Daniel McInerney KC, Gareth Redenbach and Michael Wells
Futures Committee
Yusur Al-Azzawi
Rural, Regional and Remote Committee
The Honourable Simon Molesworth AO KC
Young Lawyers Committee Bryony Seignior
Appointments and Membership
Court Tribunal Committees and Working Parties
Commonwealth Courts and Tribunals
Federal Court of Australia
Corporations and Commercial NPA Users’ Group
Stewart Maiden KC, Anthony Strahan KC, Michael Borsky KC, Cam Truong KC, Dr Oren Bigos KC, Greg Ahern, Alison Umbers and Raini Zambelli
State Courts and Tribunals
Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Victoria Rules Committee
Jonathon Moore KC
Law Library Victoria Committee Dr Paul Vout KC and Lucy Line
Chief Justice’s Legal Costs Committee Stewart Maiden KC
Supreme Court Library Committee Dr Paul Vout KC and Lucy Line
Probate Users’ Committee
Shane Newton, Simon Pitt KC, Ursula Stanisich, Thomas Mah, Eleanor Coates, Lucy Dawson and Nicholas Baum
Employment and Industrial Relations NPA Users’ Group
Jenny Firkin KC and Malcom Harding SC
Insolvency (Bankruptcy and Corporate Insolvency) Users’ Group
His Honour Judge Philip Corbett,
Judicial Registrar Michael Gronow KC, Charles O Parkinson KC and Carl Moller SC
Intellectual Property Users’ Group
David Shavin KC and Tom Cordiner KC
County Court of Victoria
County Court of Victoria Rules Committee
Michael Corrigan
Commercial Division Users’ Group
Jeremy Twigg KC, Con Salpigtidis, Andrew Downie and Georgia Berlic
Criminal Users’ Group
Alexander Patton and Morgan Brown
Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
Tasman Ash Fleming, Steven Lowry and Nussen Ainsworth
Civil Practice Committee Steven Lowry
Criminal Court Users’ Group
Sam Andrianakis, Chris Wareham and Susanna Locke
WorkCover Users’ Group
Megan Cameron and Kim Bradey
Statutory Appointments
Victorian Legal Services Board
Sam Hay KC (Chair)
Legal Services Council – Admissions Committee
The Honourable David Habersberger KC
Legal Services Council – Law Admissions Consultative Committee
The Honourable David Habersberger KC
Other Bodies
ACICA Board
Caroline Kenny KC, Andrew Hanak
KC and Jonathan Redwood SC
Australian Bar Review – Editorial Board
Annette Charak
Australian Government Takeovers Panel
Michael Borsky KC
Charity Law Association of Australia and New Zealand
Jennifer Batrouney AM KC
Commonwealth Lawyers Association
Fiona McLeod AO SC (Council Member)
Council of Law Reporting
Michael Pearce SC, Alistair Pound SC and David Colman
FairWork Commission Termination of Employment User Group
Yasser Bakri
Firearms Appeals Committee
Samuel Stafford, Simon Lee and Christopher Sheen
Heritage Council of Victoria
The Honourable Simon Molesworth AO KC and Adrian Finanzio SC
International Bar Association – Bar Issues Commission Regulation Committee
Dominique Hogan-Doran SC (Chair) and Fiona McLeod AO SC
International Bar Association –Diversity and Inclusion Council
Fiona McLeod AO SC
Law Aid – Trustees
James Mighell KC, Michelle Britbart
KC, Andrew Clements KC and Fiona Ryan SC
Law Institute of Victoria – State Taxes Committee
Tim Grace
Law Institute of Victoria – Tax and Revenue Committee
John Morgan, Dr Phillip Bender and Matthew Meng
eLegal Practitioners Liability Committee Board
Justin Graham KC
Legal Super Pty Ltd – Board
James Peters AM KC (Director)
Victoria Law Foundation – Board
Peter Caillard
Victoria Law Reform Commission
The Honourable Anthony North
KC (Chair) and Kathleen Foley SC (Commissioner)
Victorian Legal Admissions Board
The Honourable David Habersberger
KC (Chair), the Honourable Kate McMillan KC and Alexandra Golding
Victorian Legal Admissions –Committee
The Honourable David Habersberger
KC (Chair), the Honourable Kate
McMillan KC (Deputy Chair), Peter Chadwick KC, Cam Truong KC, Lisa Hannon KC, Tamieka Spencer Bruce SC and Alexandra Golding
The Bar Council records with deep regret the death of the following members and past members of the Victorian Bar:
The Honourable Frank Turner
Bar Roll No. 2888
Peter F McDermott
Bar Roll No. 1092
Denis M McDonald
Bar Roll No. 1744
Gerard P Long
Bar Roll No. 2663
Malcolm Gray
Bar Roll No. 1778
David C Langmead
Bar Roll No. 3203
Austin Parnell
Bar Roll No. 2513
Dr Clifford Pannam KC
Bar Roll No. 816
P. David Drake
Bar Roll No. 1446
His Honour Peter Rendit KC
Bar Roll No. 537
Noah (Nicky) Eidelson
Bar Roll No. 2999
Anthony Schlicht
Bar Roll No. 2738
Professor the Honourable George
Hampel AM KC
Bar Roll No. 576
Professor Douglas Williamson RFD KC
Bar Roll No. 1096
The Honourable Thomas Hughes AO KC
Bar Roll No. 664
The Honourable Austin Asche AC KC
Bar Roll No. 515
The Honourable Kevin James Andrews
AM MP
Bar Roll No. 2014
His Honour Eugene John Cullity AM KC
Bar Roll No. 529
Elizabeth Ann Shanahan
Bar Roll No. 2615
Michael John O’Brien
Bar Roll No. 1040
Christopher Wallis
Bar Roll No. 2631
The Honourable Sally Brown AM
Bar Roll No. 1449
Honours
Barbara Phelan
Bar Roll No. 2504
His Honour John Campton KC
Bar Roll No. 415
Carmen Osborne
Bar Roll No. 2062
Richard Spicer
Bar Roll No. 1374
John Marshall SC
Bar Roll No. 2665
James “Jim” Buchecker
Bar Roll No. 3177
Richard Brear
Bar Roll No. 1667
Boris Kayser
Bar Roll No. 645
The Honourable Thomas (Tim) Smith
AM KC
Bar Roll No. 740
Pauline Shiff
Bar Roll No. 2637
Michael Bright
Bar Roll No. 2413
The Honourable Stephen Charles AO KC
Bar Roll No. 647
Ivan Brewer
Bar Roll No. 2044
During the year, the following Victorian judges, members and past members of the Victorian Bar were recipients of the following honours:
Australia Day Honours 2025
Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs AC
The Honourable Duncan Kerr AO SC
Chev LH
The late the Honourable Kevin Andrews AM MP
The Honourable Alan Robertson AM SC
The Honourable John Sackar AM KC
King’s Birthday Honours 2025
Companion in the General Division (AC)
The Honourable Justice Simon Harry Steward AC
The Honourable Mark Samuel Weinberg AC KC
45 Years at the Bar
Jeremy Ruskin KC
Peter Bick KC
Paul Scanlon KC
David Brown KC
John Richards KC
Anthony Nolan KC
Rose Weinberg
James Cyngler
Robert Seifman
Shane Newton
Simon Gillespie-Jones
Peter Kistler
Philip Trigar
Senior Counsel
Victoria’s newest silks are:
Back row, from left: Michael Stanton SC, Dugald McWilliams SC, Andrew de Wijn SC, Justin Tomlinson SC and David Yarrow SC.
Third row, from left: Peter Matthews SC, Justin Lewis SC, Meredith Schilling SC, Samuel Hopper SC and Stephen Rebikoff SC.
Second rvwow, from left: Robert O’Neill SC, Neil Hutton SC, Matthew Hooper SC, Benjamin Jellis SC, Andrew Woods SC and Andrew Meagher SC.
Front row, from left: Christopher Nehmy SC, Karen Argiropoulos SC, Kate Beattie SC, Georgina Connelly SC, Gary Hevey RFD SC, Catherine Pierce SC, Kate Burke SC, Premala Thiagarajan SC and Maree Norton SC.
roll of Counsel
The following is a statistical profile of membership of the Victorian Bar Association and a listing of those joining, leaving or transferring their membership during the year ended 30 June 2025.
Division A Part I (Victorian Practising Counsel)
The following persons signed, re-signed, transferred or were removed from the Roll of Counsel:
Signed (in alphabetical order):
Jonathon Allan, Tully Anders, Louis Andrews, Carla Aumann, Csaba Baranyai, Andrew Beckwith, Thomas Bell, Andrew Belyea-Tate, Megan Blake, Joseph Bourke, Louise Brown, Kathryn Browne, Martha Browning, James Cameron, Man Cao, Audrey Capasso, Gorica Care, Thomas Carmody, Ella Casey, Harrison Charles, Thomas Clark, Ruben Clark, Tom Clelland, Alice Cooney, Carmendy Cooper, Edwina Dane, Samuel Dany, Jervis Dean, Anna Dearman, Marcel Delany, Nuwan Dias, Megan Driscoll,
Esther Faine-Vallantin, Nicholas Ferguson, Gabrielle Fitzgibbon, James Francis, Giulia Frat, Katherine Gardiner, Jack Gracie, Sverre Gunnersen, Kirsty Ha, Matthew Harding, Peter Harris, Stephanie Howson, Timothy Huestis, Patrick Hurst, Samudhya Jayasekara, Tidja Joseph, Ben Kelly, Hester Kelly, Sunil Kemppi, Tamsin Khor, Mitchell Kirk, Yvonne Kushnir, Maxine Lange, Alex Lee, Maddison Lees, Nicholas Li, Kai Fung Li, William Liu, Georgina Long, Ryan Mallia, Jarrad Mathie, Rachel Matulis, Jacob McCahon, Hannah McIvor, Alexandra McLure, James McNicol Smith, Brianna Melville, Adam Meyer, Daniel Miles, Stephen Moore, Stephanie Murphy, David Ng, Conor O’Beirne, Patrick O’Bryan-Gusah, Eliza Panckridge (Continued on page 70)
Beatrice Paull, Declan Peacock, Alexander Pemberton, Panagiota Pisani, Anna Pogson, Gabrielle Redmond, Jonathan Rose, Daniel Ryan, Timothy Sackville, Harley Schumann, Merran Shanahan, Tess Simpson, Alannah Slater, Ivana Smojver,
Andrew Spierings, Anthony Stavrinos, Meg Stevenson, Megan Styles, Keith Sypott, Lauren Taylor, Alexander Thomas, Penny Toniolos, Jennifer Vogan, Julia Wallace, Timothy White, Duncan Willis, Daniel Wright-Neville.
Re-signed
Belal Baarini, Patrick Gordon, Peter Kilduff, Edward Kingston, Dr Marcus Langlois, Dr Robert Nitti.
Transfers from
Dennis Baker, the Honourable Elizabeth Bennett, Dr Elizabeth Boros KC, Deborah Bye, Mark Carey, Michael Challinger, Peter H Clarke, Kathryn Cochrane, Shane Collins, Christopher Connor, his Honour Judge Philip Corbett, Julie Davis, Dr David Denton AM RFD KC, Luciana Drago, Nick Dubrow, his Honour Judge Peter Fary, the Honourable Justice Adrian Finanzio, his Honour
Magistrate James FitzGerald, Jane Forsyth, Ariadne French, Rosaline Germov, Matthew Goldberg, Anthony Grant, Judicial Registrar Michael Gronow KC, Peter Haag, J Rohan Hamilton, Debra Harris, the Honourable Justice Graeme Hill, Hannah Hofmann, Mark Irving KC, Nadia Kaddeche, Sarah Keating, Shane Kennedy, Michael King, Julia Kretzenbacher, Stratton Langslow, Richard Lawson, W Benjamin Lindner, Daniel Lorbeer, Stephen Marantelli, Geoffrey Martin, Liam McAuliffe, Murray McInnis, Dianne Mitchell, Klaus Mueller, Dr Angela O’Brien, his Honour Magistrate Matthew Page, Amy Peek-Lasry, Anthony Phillips, Sarah Porritt, Jill Rivers, Jamie Shaw, Bernard Sheehy, Marylyn Smallwood KC, Emma Strugnell, Joel Tito, A Graeme Uren KC, Sam Wubbeling.
Transfers to
Evangeline Arulrajah, Amy Brennan, Liam Brown SC, Stephanie Clancy, Belinda Franjic, Nader Gabriel, Sean Kikkert, Rebecca McEwen, Muneebuddin Mohammed, the Honourable Geoffrey Nettle AC KC, Malcolm Strang, Matthew Strong, Keith Wolahan.
Division A Part II (Crown Prosecutors and Public Defenders)
Transfers to Ariadne French, Nadia Kaddeche, Julia Kretzenbacher, Liam McAuliffe, Amy Peek-Lasry, Jamie Shaw, Emma Strugnell.
Division A Part III (Interstate and Overseas Counsel)
Signed Ian Coleman SC, Anna Elizabeth, Robert Gallo, Christopher Humby, Ronald Jorgensen, Dr Charles Moschoudis, Matthew Verney KC.
Transfers from Evangeline Arulajah, Nader Gabriel, her Honour Judge Dominique Grigg, Sean Kikkert, her Honour Judge
Suzanne Mackenzie, Colin McDonald KC, Rebecca McEwen, Muneebuddin Mohammed, Matthew Strong, the Honourable Antony Whitlam KC.
Transfers to Kathryn Cochrane, Luciana Drago, Hannah Hofmann, Daniel Lorbeer, the Honourable Peter Tree KC.
Division A Part IV (Victorian Practising Counsel temporarily absent without
current PC)
Transfers from Malcolm Strang
Transfers to Deborah Bye, Nick Dubrow, Jane Forsyth, Matthew Goldberg, Anthony Grant, Dianne Mitchell, Anthony Phillips, Bernard Sheehy, Joel Tito, A Graeme Uren KC, Sam Wubbeling.
Division B (Judiciary and Official Appointments)
Transferred to
» The Honourable Justice Elizabeth Bennett (appointed to the Federal Court of Australia Commonwealth Law Courts)
» Mark Carey (appointed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal)
» His Honour Judge Philip Corbett (appointed to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia)
» His Honour Judge Peter Fary (appointed to the Federal Court of Australia)
» The Honourable Justice Adrian Finanzio (appointed to the Supreme Court of Victoria)
» His Honour Magistrate James FitzGerald (appointed to the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria)
» Rosaline Germov (appointed to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal)
» Her Honour Dominique Grigg (appointed to the District Court of Queensland)
» Judicial Registrar Michael Gronow KC (appointed to the Federal Court of Australia)
» Peter Haag (appointed to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal)
» The Honourable Justice Graeme Hill (appointed to the Federal Court of Australia Commonwealth Law Courts)
» Mark Irving KC (appointed as Administrator of the Construction and General Division of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union)
Division C (Retired)
Transfers from The Honourable Justice Susan Kenny AM KC
Transfers to Dennis Baker, Dr Elizabeth Boros KC, his Honour John Carmody, the Honourable Anthony Cavanough, Michael Challinger, Peter H Clarke, Shane Collins, Christopher Connor, Julie Davis, J Rohan Hamilton, Debra Harris, Shane Kennedy,
Division D (Academics)
Transfers to Dr David Denton AM RFD KC
» Sarah Keating (appointed as Crown Counsel)
» The Honourable Susan Kenny AM (appointed as Reserve Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria)
» Brendan Kissane KC (appointed as the Director of Public Prosecutions)
» His Honour Judge Justin Lewis (appointed to the County Court of Victoria)
» Her Honour Judge Suzanne Mackenzie (appointed to the District Court of Queensland)
» The Honourable Michael O’Brien MP (appointed as Shadow Attorney General)
» His Honour Magistrate Matthew Page (appointed to the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria)
» Sarah Porritt (appointed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal)
Transfers from
Liam Brown SC, his Honour John Carmody, the Honourable Anthony Cavanough, Belinda Franjic, the Honourable Cameron Macaulay, the Honourable Geoffrey Nettle AC KC, Stephen O’Bryan KC, the Honourable Steven Rares KC, the Honourable Peter Tree KC, Keith Wolahan.
Remain in
The Honourable Justice Kerri Judd (appointed to the Supreme Court of Victoria)
Michael King, Stratton Langslow, Richard Lawson, W Benjamin Lindner, the Honourable Cameron Macaulay, Stephen Marantelli, Geoffrey Martin, Colin McDonald KC, Murray McInnis, Klaus Mueller, Dr Angela O’Brien, Stephen O’Bryan KC, the Honourable Steven Rares KC, Jill Rivers, Marylyn Smallwood KC, the Honourable Anthony Whitlam KC.
Consolidated Group Entities
VICTORIAN BAR INCORPORATED
Registered No. A0034304S
Owen Dixon Chambers East Level 5, 205 William Street Melbourne, Victoria 3000
T: 03 9225 7111
E: vicbar@vicbar.com.au
W: vicbar.com.au
Bar Council Members
Mr Justin Hannebery KC (President)
Ms Lisa Hannon KC (Vice President)
Ms Fiona Ryan SC (Vice President)
Ms Georgina Costello KC (Assistant Honorary Treasurer)
Mr Gavin Silbert KC
Mr Peter Chadwick KC
Mr Mark Robins KC
Mr Julian McMahon AC SC
Mr Colin Mandy SC
Dr Michelle Sharpe
Ms Moya O’Brien
Ms Raini Zambelli (Honorary Treasurer)
Mr Timothy Goodwin
Ms Jessie Taylor
Ms Ffyona Livingstone Clark
Ms Lana Collaris
Ms Andrea Skinner
Ms Felicity Fox
Ms Gemma Cafarella
Mr Paul Jeffreys
Mr Jakub Patela
Mr Christopher McDermott (Honorary Secretary)
Ms Felicity Bentley (Assistant Honorary Secretary)
Mr Rowan Minson (Assistant Honorary Secretary)
Mr John O’Halloran (Assistant Honorary Secretary)
BARRISTERS CHAMBERS LIMITED
ACN 004 454 004
Board of Directors
The Honourable John Digby KC (Chairman)
Mr Sam Hay KC (Deputy Chairman)
Mr Michael Borsky KC
Mr Stewart Maiden KC
Ms Georgina Costello KC
Ms Megan Tittensor SC
Mr Benjamin Murphy
Ms Catherine Walter AM
Mr Mick Brennan
Mr Paul Clark
OPUS WORKSPACES PTY LTD
ACN 624 652 357 Board of Directors
Mr Paul Clark
THE MELBOURNE BAR PTY LTD
ACN 004 640 108 Board of Directors
Mr Justin Hannebery KC
Ms Raini Zambelli
reports of Group Entities
The Victorian Bar Incorporated –Officers’ Report
The officers, members of the Council of the Victorian Bar Incorporated, submit herewith the annual financial report of the Association for the financial year ended 30 June 2025. In order to comply with the provisions of the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 and generally accepted good practice disclosure, the Officers report as follows:
The names of the Officers of the Association during or since the end of the financial year are included on page 15 of the annual report under Bar Council.
Principal Activities
The Victorian Bar Incorporated is a professional association for lawyers practising solely as barristers. As well as serving its barrister members, the Bar serves the public interest through its activities in improving access to justice and law reform and its pro bono work. The Bar has two wholly owned subsidiary companies: Barristers Chambers Limited (BCL) owns and leases buildings, which are provided as chambers to barristers and provides telephony and internet services to members of the Bar; and The Melbourne Bar Pty Ltd which is a non-operating nominee company. BCL has one wholly owned subsidiary, Opus Workspaces Pty Ltd, which provides serviced office space.
Review of Operations
During the financial year ended 30 June 2025, the Association achieved a consolidated deficit from continuing operations after tax of ($1,251,563) (2024 deficit: $22,778,951). The Association (Parent) achieved an after-tax surplus of $1,536,043 (2024 surplus: $844,685).
Changes in State of Affairs
Except as set out in the accompanying financial reports, there was no significant change in the state of affairs of the Association during the financial year.
Subsequent Events
There has been no other matter or circumstance which has arisen since the end of the year that has significantly affected, or may significantly affect, the company’s operations, the result of those operations or the company’s state of affairs.
Future Developments
The directors expect that the Association will continue to carry out its principal activities. There are no other known or likely developments which the officers foresee, which they wish to disclose at this time.
Environmental Regulations
The Association is not subject to any significant environmental regulations under Australian law.
Dividends
The Association is incorporated under the Associations
Incorporation Act 1981 (Vic). It is precluded under the Act and its Constitution from paying a dividend to its members. The Association is a not-for-profit organisation.
Indemnification of Officers
During the financial year, the Association paid a premium in respect of a contract insuring the Officers of the Association (as named above and on page 15 of the Annual Report) and all Executive Officers of the Association and of any related body corporate against a liability incurred as an officer or executive officer to the extent permitted by the Association’s Constitution.
The contract of insurance prohibits disclosure of the nature of the liability and the amount of the premium.
The Association has not otherwise, during or since the financial year, except to the extent permitted by law, indemnified or agreed to indemnify an officer or auditor of the Association or of any related body corporate against a liability incurred as such by an officer or auditor.
Proceedings
on Behalf of the Association
No person has applied for leave of court to bring proceedings on behalf of the Association or to intervene in any proceedings to which the Association is a party for the purpose of taking responsibility on behalf of the Association for all or part of those proceedings.
Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Council made pursuant to the Constitution of the Victorian Bar.
The following is a statement in conformance with the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012
Sections 94(2)(b), 97(2)(b) and 100(2)(b).
Annual Statements Give True and Fair View of Financial Position of Incorporated Association
We, Justin Hannebery KC and Raini Zambelli, being President and Honorary Treasurer of the Victorian Bar Council respectively, and members of the Victorian Bar Council, which is the Committee of the Victorian Bar Incorporated certify that: The financial statements (and notes thereto) attached to this certificate give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Victorian Bar Incorporated during and at the end of the financial year of the Association ended on 30 June 2025.
Dated this 16th day of October 2025
On behalf of the Officers
Justin Hannebery KC President
Raini Zambelli Honorary Treasurer
Financial reports
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of The Victorian Bar Incorporated
Opinion
We have audited the financial report, being a special purpose financial report, of The Victorian Bar Incorporated (the “Entity”) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) which comprises the statements of financial position as at 30 June 2025, the statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, the statements of changes in equity and the statements of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including material accounting policy information and other explanatory information, and the declaration by the Officers as set out on pages 77 to 99.
In our opinion, the accompanying financial report presents fairly, in all material respects, the Entity and Group’s financial position as at 30 June 2025 and their financial performance and their cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards, the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 and the Victorian Bar Incorporated’s Constitution, and the accounting policies described in note 3.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence Standards) (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Emphasis of Matter – Basis of Accounting and Restriction on Distribution and Use
We draw attention to Note 3 to the financial report, which describes the basis of accounting. The financial report has been prepared to assist the Entity to meet the financial reporting requirements of the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 and the Victorian Bar Incorporated’s Constitution. As a result, the financial report may not be suitable for another purpose. Our report is intended solely for the Members and should not be distributed or used by parties other than the Members. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.
Responsibilities of Management and the Officers
for
the Financial Report
Management of the Entity is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report and has determined that the basis of preparation described in Note 3 to the financial report is appropriate to meet the requirements of the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 and the Victorian Bar Incorporated’s Constitution and is appropriate to meet the needs of the Members. Management’s responsibility also includes such internal control as management determine is necessary to enable the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial report, management is responsible for assessing the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
The Officers are responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial reporting process.
Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Report
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of this financial report.
As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
» Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
» Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.
» Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.
» Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial report or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.
» Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the disclosures, and whether the financial report represents the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
» Plan and perform the group audit to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group as a basis for forming an opinion on the Group financial report. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and review of the audit work performed for the purposes of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.
We communicate with management and the Officers regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Sandra Lawson Partner Chartered Accountants
Melbourne, 16 October 2025
Officers' Declaration
The Officers have determined that the Victorian Bar Inc (the “Association”) is not a reporting entity because in the opinion of the Officers there are unlikely to exist users of the financial report who are unable to command the preparation of reports tailored so as to satisfy specifically all of their information needs. Accordingly, this special purpose financial report has been prepared to satisfy the Officers’ reporting requirements under the Victorian Bar Inc.’s Constitution and the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012.
The Officers of the Association declare that:
1. The financial statements and notes thereto, as set out on pages 78 to 99:
a. Comply with accounting standards, the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 and the reporting requirements under the Victorian Bar’s Constitution; and
b. Give a true and fair view of the financial position as at 30 June 2025 and performance for the year ended on that date, in accordance with the accounting policies described in Note 3 to the financial statements, of the Association and the Group entities.
2. In the Officers’ opinion there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Association will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.
Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Council of the Association.
On behalf of the Officers
Justin Hannebery KC
President
Melbourne, 16 October 2025
Raini Zambelli Honorary Treasurer
Melbourne, 16 October 2025
30 June 2025
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
Statement of financial position as at 30 June 2025
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
Statement of changes in equity for the year ended 30 June 2025
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
1. General information
The Victorian Bar Inc. (“the Association”) is incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, Victoria and operates in Australia.
The registered office and the principal place of business of the Association is:
Level 5, 205 William Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
The Association is a private, voluntary, self-funded, nonprofit, professional association of Barristers who practise in Victoria. Its principal activity during the year was to provide regulatory and other services to barristers who practice in Victoria.
2. Adoption of new and revised Accounting Standards
2.1 Amendments to Accounting Standards that are mandatorily effective for the current reporting period
The Association has adopted all the new and revised Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (the AASB) that are relevant to their operations and effective for an accounting period that begins on or after 1 July 2024. Their adoption has had no material impact on the disclosures and/or amounts reported in these financial statements.
2.2 Standards and Interpretations in issue not yet adopted
At the date of authorisation of the financial statements, there are no new or revised Australian Accounting Standards, Interpretations and amendments that are not yet effective and that are expected to have a material impact on the Group’s financial statements.
3. Material accounting policies
Financial reporting framework
The Officers have determined that the Association is not a reporting entity because, in the opinion of the Officers, there are unlikely to exist users of the financial report who are unable to command the preparation of reports tailored to satisfy specifically all of their information needs. Accordingly, this special purpose financial report has been prepared to satisfy the Officer’s reporting requirements under The Victorian Bar Inc.’s Constitution and the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012.
For the purpose of preparing the financial statements, the Association is a not-for-profit entity.
Statement of compliance
The financial report has been prepared in accordance with the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, the Victorian Bar Inc. Constitution, the basis of accounting specified by all Accounting Standards and Interpretations, and the disclosure requirements of Accounting Standards AASB 101 ‘Presentation of Financial Statements’, AASB 107 ‘Statements of Cash Flow’, AASB 108 ‘Accounting Policies’, ‘Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors’, and ‘AASB 1054 Australian Additional Disclosures’.
The financial report includes the separate financial statements of the Association and the consolidated financial statements of the Group.
Basis of preparation
The financial report has been prepared on the basis of historical cost, except for the revaluation of certain noncurrent assets and financial instruments. Cost is based on the fair values of the consideration given in exchange for assets. All amounts are presented in Australian dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the Group’s accounting policies, management is required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are considered relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
Measurement of the lease liability
The Group leases various offices that contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. A lease liability has been recognised for the present value of the estimated cash outflows in relation to the Group’s leases in accordance with AASB 16. The accounting policy for the Group’s leases is disclosed in Note 3(i). The measurement of the lease liability includes the following key assumptions:
» Determining the lease term: Where the Group’s property lease contains an option to extend the lease beyond the initial term, the Group has concluded that it is not reasonably certain those options will be exercised.
» Discount rate: Lease payments are discounted using an interest rate of 1.65% to 4.53%, being the incremental borrowing rate available to the Group. There is judgement involved in making this determination.
Valuation of investment properties
The Group obtains independent valuations for its investment properties on at least a biennial basis or when there is a significant change in market conditions. All three properties classified as Investment Properties at 30 June 2025 were independently valued at 30 June 2025. The fair values of properties are calculated using a combination of market sales comparison and capitalisation rate. The fair value measurement of investment property has been classified as a level 3 fair value as it’s derived from valuation techniques that include inputs that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs). The key judgements for each unobservable valuation input are:
» Market sales comparison: Utilises recent sales of comparable properties, adjusted for any differences including the nature, location and lease profile. The market rent applied at 30 June 2025 across the three properties ranged from $440 to $820 psm;
» Capitalisation rate: Capitalises the fully-leased net income for a property into perpetuity at an appropriate capitalisation rate. The fully leased net income is based on market rents, operating costs and future income on vacant space. The capitalisation rate reflects the nature, location and tenancy profile, together with current market evidence and sales, of comparable properties. The capitalisation rates applied at 30 June 2025 across the three properties ranged from 6.82%-8.00%.
The fair value of the properties is sensitive to these assumptions, in particular the market capitalisation rate. If the market capitalisation rate applied in the valuations was adjusted +/- 5 basis points, the fair value would be $2,887k lower or $2,848k higher than the amount recognised at 30 June 2025. The Group is required to comply with the banking covenants of loan to value ratio (LVR) as disclosed in Note 18. This is dependent on future operating performance and capitalisation rates which are key input to the investment property valuations. A decline in Net Market Rent and/or increase in Capitalisation rate will impact the Group’s ability to comply with LVR ratio.
A high degree of judgement is required in assessing the inputs that determine property valuations. Due to a limited volume of transactions in the market throughout the current financial year, the market evidence on which management and independent specialist valuers can rely on to appropriately assess the fair value of the properties held is reduced. The fair values are therefore a best estimate and may differ to the actual sales price if the properties were to be sold.
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty (cont’d)
Provision for impairment of receivables
The Group applies the simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses, where trade receivables have been
grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics and days past due. The Group’s expected credit loss allowance decreased from $2,071k at 30 June 2024 to $1,725k as at 30 June 2025, and reflects amounts that are more than 30 days overdue for which there is no agreed payment arrangement. The Group continues to pursue collection on all debts, however collection of outstanding receivables is inherently uncertain and actual collections may differ from the amount included in the expected credit loss allowance at 30 June 2025.
Make Good Provision
The Group has various “make good” obligations under its long-term property lease contracts. A provision has been recognised for the present value of the estimated expenditure required to fulfil these obligations at the end of the lease terms. The estimated costs are based on recent make good activity performed by the Group and quotes from suppliers. The range applied to each property is between $43 and $511 per square metre and varies based on the extent of the works required and the standard of the building. Since the works on the various properties will be performed well into the future and can be subject to negotiated outcomes with landlords, the actual cost to make good the properties could differ from the provision recognised as at 30 June 2025.
The following provide a summary of all material accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented unless otherwise stated. The financial statements are for the Group consisting of Victorian Bar Inc. and its subsidiaries:
(a) Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Association and entities controlled by the Association (its subsidiaries) made up to 30 June each year. Control is achieved when the Association:
» has the power over the investee;
» is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and has the ability to use its power to affects its returns.
The Association reassesses whether it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control listed above.
Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Association obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Association loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, the results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in profit or loss from the date the Association gains control until the date when the Association ceases to control the subsidiary.
3. Material accounting policies (cont’d)
(a) Principles of consolidation (cont'd)
Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with the Group’s accounting policies.
All intragroup assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between the members of the Group are eliminated on consolidation.
(b) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash comprises cash on hand and on demand deposits. Cash equivalents are short-term, liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities in the statement of financial position.
(c) Employee benefits
A liability is recognised for benefits accruing to employees in respect of wages and salaries, annual leave and long service leave when it is probable that settlement will be required, and they are capable of being measured reliably.
Liabilities recognised in respect of employee benefits expected to be settled within 12 months are measured at their nominal values using the remuneration rate expected to apply at the time of settlement.
Liabilities recognised in respect of employee benefits which are not expected to be settled within 12 months are measured as the present value of the estimated future cash outflows to be made by the Group in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date.
(d) Income tax
Subscription income received by the Association from its members is non-taxable through the mutuality principle. Receipts from non-members are regarded as assessable income for income tax purposes. Member expenses are non-deductible. Other expenses which are not directly deductible from assessable income are apportioned between non-tax deductible and tax-deductible expenses according to taxation regulations.
All income received by Barristers Chambers Limited, a subsidiary association of the Association, and its subsidiary (Opus Workspaces Pty Ltd), is taxable.
The charge for current income tax expenses is based on the profit for the year adjusted for any non-assessable or disallowed items. It is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or are substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
Deferred tax is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method in respect of temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements. No deferred income tax
will be recognised from the initial recognition of an asset or liability, excluding a business combination, where there is no effect on accounting or taxable profit or loss.
Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realised, or liability is settled. Deferred tax is credited in the income statement except where it relates to items credited or debited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is adjusted directly against equity.
Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future tax profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences or unused tax losses and tax offsets can be utilised.
The amount of benefits brought to account or which may be realised in the future is based on the assumption that no adverse change will occur in income taxation legislation and the anticipation that the economic entity will derive sufficient future assessable income to enable the benefit to be realised and comply with the conditions of deductibility imposed by the law.
(e) Tax consolidation
The Association and its subsidiaries, Barristers’ Chambers Ltd and The Melbourne Bar Pty Ltd, together with Opus Workspaces Pty Ltd, are part of a tax-consolidated Group under Australian taxation law. The Association is the head entity in the tax-consolidated Group. Tax expense/ income, deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities arising from temporary differences of the members of the tax-consolidated Group are recognised using the ‘Group allocation’ approach by reference to the carrying amounts in the separate financial statements of each entity and the tax values applying under tax consolidation. Current tax liabilities and assets and deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses and relevant tax credits of the members of the tax-consolidated Group are recognised by the Association (as head entity in the tax-consolidation Group).
(f) Property, plant and equipment
Plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the item. In the event that settlement of all or part of the purchase consideration is deferred, cost is determined by discounting the amounts payable in the future to their present value as at the date of acquisition.
The carrying amount of plant and equipment is reviewed annually by the Association’s Officers to ensure it is not in excess of the recoverable amount from these assets. The recoverable amount is assessed on the basis of the expected net cash.
Depreciation
The depreciable amount of all property, plant and equipment including buildings and capitalised leased assets, but excluding freehold land, is depreciated on a straight-line basis over their useful lives to the economic entity commencing from the time the asset is held ready for use. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of either the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements.
Depreciation
The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting period. An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than its estimated recoverable amount. Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with the carrying amount. These gains and losses are included in the income statement. When revalued assets are sold, amounts included in the revaluation reserve relating to that asset are transferred to retained earnings.
(g)
Investment property
Investment properties, being land and office buildings, are held for rental yields and are not occupied by the Group. They are carried at fair value. Changes in fair values are presented in profit and loss as part of other income. The cost of major renovations and improvements are capitalised as an addition. The cost of maintenance, repairs and minor improvements are charged to profit and loss when incurred.
The Group obtains independent valuations for its investment properties at least every two years. At the end of each reporting period, the Officers update their assessment of the fair value of each property, taking into account the most recent independent valuations. The Group determine a property’s value within a range of reasonable fair value estimates.
The best evidence of fair value is current prices in an active market for similar properties. Where such information is not available the officers consider information from a variety of sources including:
» current prices in an active market for properties of different nature or recent prices of similar properties in less active markets, adjusted to reflect those differences;
» discounted cash flow projections based on reliable estimates of future cash flows; and
» capitalised income projections based upon a property’s estimated net market income, and a capitalisation rate derived from an analysis of market evidence.
Property reclassified as held for sale during the reporting period was measured at fair value at the time of reclassification. The fair value of the property was determined using the contracted sale value less estimated costs to sell. A resulting fair value gain of $505k has been recognised in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
(h) Intangible assets
Intangible assets with finite lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Amortisation is recognised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful life and amortisation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate being accounted for on a prospective basis. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses.
An internally generated intangible asset arising from development (or from the development phase of an internal project) is recognised if, and only if, all of the following have been demonstrated: the technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale; the intention to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it; the ability to use or sell the intangible asset; how the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits; the availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the intangible asset; and the ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development.
The amount initially recognised for internally generated intangible assets is the sum of the expenditure incurred from the date when the intangible asset first meets the recognition criteria listed above. Where no internally generated intangible asset can be recognised, development expenditure is recognised in profit or loss in the period in which it is incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition, internally generated intangible assets are reported at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses, on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.
3. Material accounting policies (cont’d)
(i) Leased assets
The Group assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease, at inception of the contract. The Group recognises a right-ofuse asset and a corresponding lease liability with respect to all lease arrangements in which it is the lessee, except for shortterm leases (defined as leases with a lease term of 12 months or less) and leases of low value assets (such as small items of office equipment). For these leases, the Group recognises the lease payments as an operating expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease unless another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased assets are consumed.
The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted by using the rate implicit in the lease. If this rate cannot be readily determined, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate.
Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise:
» Fixed lease payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable
» Variable lease payments that depend on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the commencement date
» The amount expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees
The lease liability is presented as a separate line in the statement of financial position.
The lease liability is subsequently measured by increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on the lease liability (using the effective interest method) and by reducing the carrying amount to reflect the lease payments made.
The right-of-use assets comprise the initial measurement of the corresponding lease liability, lease payments made at or before the commencement day, less any lease incentives received and any initial direct costs. They are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.
Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter period of lease term and useful life of the underlying asset. If a lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Group expects to exercise a purchase option, the related right-of-use asset is depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset. The depreciation starts at the commencement date of the lease.
The right-of-use assets are presented as a separate line in statement of financial position.
The Group applies AASB 136 Impairment of Assets to determine whether a right-of-use asset is impaired and
accounts for any identified impairment loss as described in the ‘Property, plant and equipment’ policy.
(j) Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at reporting date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured using the cashflows estimated to settle the present obligation, it’s carrying amount is the present value of those cashflows.
When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, the receivable is recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.
The Group is required to restore leased premises to their original condition at the end of the respective lease terms. A provision is recognised for the present value of the estimated expenditure required to remove any leasehold improvements where the obligation and the amount can be reliably estimated.
(k) Payables
Trade payables and other accounts payable are recognised when the Group becomes obliged to make future payments resulting from the purchase of goods and services.
(l) Revenue
Revenue from subscriptions is recognised in the period that the subscription relates to. Revenue from leased properties is recognised as invoiced on a monthly basis based on the short term tenancy agreements with barristers.
Revenue from the rendering of a service is recognised upon the delivery of the service to the customer by reference to the stage of completion of the service being provided.
Interest revenue is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset’s net carrying amount.
All other revenue is stated net of the amount of goods and services tax (GST).
(m) Borrowings
Borrowings are recorded initially at fair value, net of transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, borrowings are measured at amortised cost with any
difference between the initial recognised amount and the redemption value being recognised in profit and loss over the period of the borrowing using the effective interest rate method.
Bills of exchange are recorded at an amount equal to the net proceeds received, with the premium or discount amortised over the period until maturity. Interest expense is recognised on an effective yield basis.
Borrowing Costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to prepare for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale.
All other borrowing costs are recognised in the income statement in the period in which they are incurred.
(n) Goods and services tax
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of goods and services tax (GST), except:
i. where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the taxation authority, it is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of an asset or as part of an item of expense; or
ii. for receivables and payables which are recognised inclusive of GST.
The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included as part of receivables or payables. Cash flows are included in the cash flow statement on a net basis. The GST component of cash flows arising from investing and financing activities which is recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is classified as operating cash flows.
(o) Impairment of tangible and intangible assets other than goodwill
At each reporting date, the Association reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the Association estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Where a reasonable and consistent basis of allocation can be identified, corporate assets are also allocated to individual cash-generating units, or otherwise they are allocated to the smallest Group of cash-generating units for which a reasonable and consistent allocation basis can be identified.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax
discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but only to the extent that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at fair value, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
(p) Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
On initial recognition, all financial instruments are measured at fair value plus transaction costs (except for instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss where transaction costs are expensed as incurred).
Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards are transferred. A financial liability is derecognised when it is extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires.
Financial assets
All regular way purchases or sales of financial assets are recognised and derecognised on a trade date basis. Regular way purchases or sales are purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery of assets within the time frame established by regulation or convention in the marketplace. All recognised financial assets are measured subsequently in their entirety at either amortised cost or fair value, depending on the classification of the financial asset.
Classification of Financial assets
Financial assets that meet the following conditions are measured subsequently at amortised cost:
» the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is to hold financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows; and
3. Material accounting policies (cont’d)
(p) Financial instruments (cont’d)
Classification of Financial assets (cont'd
» the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. By default, all other financial assets are measured subsequently at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL).
The Association’s financial assets at amortised cost includes trade receivables.
Amortised cost and effective interest method
The amortised cost of a financial asset is the amount at which the financial asset is measured at initial recognition minus the principal repayments, plus the cumulative amortisation using the effective interest method of any difference between that initial amount and the maturity amount, adjusted for any loss allowance. The gross carrying amount of a financial asset is the amortised cost of a financial asset before adjusting for any loss allowance. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of allocating interest income over the relevant period.
For financial assets other than purchased or originated credit‑impaired financial assets (i.e. assets that are credit‑impaired on initial recognition), the effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts (including all fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) excluding expected credit losses, through the expected life of the debt instrument, or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the gross carrying amount of the debt instrument on initial recognition.
For purchased or originated credit‑impaired financial assets, a credit‑adjusted effective interest rate is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows, including expected credit losses, to the amortised cost of the debt instrument on initial recognition.
Impairment of financial assets
The Association recognises a loss allowance for expected credit losses on trade receivables. The amount of expected credit losses is updated at each reporting date to reflect changes in credit risk since initial recognition of the respective financial instrument.
The Association always recognises lifetime expected credit losses (ECL) for trade receivables. The expected credit losses on these financial assets are estimated using a provision matrix based on the association’s historical credit loss experience, adjusted for factors that are specific to the debtors, general economic conditions and an assessment of both the current as well as the forecast direction of conditions
at the reporting date, including time value of money where appropriate.
Lifetime ECL represents the expected credit losses that will result from all possible default events over the expected life of a financial instrument.
As at 30 June 2025, a provision on expected credit losses has been recorded.
Measurement and recognition of expected credit losses
The measurement of expected credit losses is a function of the probability of default, loss given default (i.e. the magnitude of the loss if there is a default) and the exposure at default. The assessment of the probability of default and loss given default is based on historical data adjusted by forwardlooking information as described above. As for the exposure at default, for financial assets, this is represented by the assets’ gross carrying amount at the reporting date; for financial guarantee contracts, the exposure includes the amount drawn down as at the reporting date, together with any additional amounts expected to be drawn down in the future by default date determined based on historical trend, the entity’s understanding of the specific future financing needs of the debtors, and other relevant forward-looking information.
For financial assets, the expected credit loss is estimated as the difference between all contractual cash flows that are due to the association in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the association expects to receive, discounted at the original effective interest rate.
If the Group has measured the loss allowance for a financial instrument at an amount equal to lifetime ECL in the previous reporting period, but determines at the current reporting date that the conditions for lifetime ECL are no longer met, the Group measures the loss allowance at an amount equal to 12-month ECL at the current reporting date, except for assets for which simplified approach was used.
The Association recognises an impairment gain or loss in profit or loss for all financial instruments with a corresponding adjustment to their carrying amount through a loss allowance account.
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities, including borrowings and trade and other payables, are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs.
All financial liabilities are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Loans and borrowings
After initial recognition, interest-bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
Derecognition
The Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire. The difference between the carrying amount of the financial liability derecognised and the consideration paid and payable is recognised in profit or loss.
Offsetting of financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.
(q) Assets held for sale
Non-current assets are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use and a sale is considered highly probable. They are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell, except for assets such as deferred tax assets, asset arising from employee benefits, financial assets and investment property that are carried at fair value, which are specifically exempt from this requirement.
An impairment loss is recognised for any initial or subsequent write-down of the asset to fair value less costs to sell. A gain is recognised for any subsequent increases in fair value less costs to sell of an asset, but not in excess of any cumulative impairment loss previously recognised. A gain or loss not previously recognised by the date of the sale of the noncurrent asset is recognised at the date of derecognition. Non-current assets are not depreciated or amortised while they are classified as held for sale. Interest and other expenses attributable to the liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale continue to be recognised.
Non-current assets classified as held for sale are presented separately from the other assets in the statement of financial position.
(r) Derivatives and hedging activities
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into, and they are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at the end of each reporting year. The accounting for subsequent changes in fair value depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged. The Group designates certain derivatives as either:
» hedges of a particular risk associated with the cash flows of recognised assets and liabilities and highly probable forecast transactions (cash flow hedges), or
» hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation (net investment hedges).
At inception of the hedge relationship, the Group documents the economic relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items including whether changes in the cash flows of the hedging instruments are expected to offset changes in the cash flows of hedged items. The Group documents its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking its hedge transactions.
The fair values of derivative financial instruments designated in hedge relationships are disclosed in note 19.
Cash flow hedges that qualify for hedge accounting
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve within equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss, within other gains/ (losses).
Where option contracts are used to hedge forecast transactions, the Group designates only the intrinsic value of the options as the hedging instrument.
Gains or losses relating to the effective portion of the change in intrinsic value of the options are recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve within equity. The changes in the time value of the options that relate to the hedged item (‘aligned time value’) are recognised within OCI in the costs of hedging reserve within equity.
Amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified in the years when the hedged item affects profit or loss, as follows:
» Where the hedged item subsequently results in the recognition of a non-financial asset (such as inventory), both the deferred hedging gains and losses and the deferred time value of the option contracts or deferred forward points, if any, are included within the initial cost of the asset. The deferred amounts are ultimately recognised in profit or loss as the hedged item affects profit or loss (e.g. through cost of sales).
» The gain or loss relating to the effective portion of the interest rate swaps hedging variable rate borrowings is recognised in profit or loss within finance cost at the same time as the interest expense on the hedged borrowings. When a hedging instrument expires, or is sold or terminated, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative deferred gain or loss and deferred costs of hedging in equity at that time remains in equity until the forecast transaction occurs, resulting in the recognition of a non-financial asset such as inventory. When the forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss and deferred costs of hedging that were reported in equity are immediately reclassified to profit or loss.
3. Material accounting policies (cont’d)
(r) Derivatives and hedging activities (cont'd)
Derivatives designated as a hedging instrument
The Group has used interest rate swaps that are designed and qualify as hedges. The effective portion of the cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument is initially recognised directly in OCI within equity (Cash flow hedge reserve). The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognised immediately in finance expenses in profit and loss.
Any gain or loss on the hedging instrument relating to the effective portion of the hedge is recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in reserves in equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss within other gains/ (losses).
(s) Going Concern
Consolidated Entity
The Financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Officers in forming this view have noted the following:
» The Group reported a surplus for the year then ended of $1,277,276 (2024: loss of $22,778,951)
» The Group reported positive operating cash flows of $17,721,991 (2024: $23,657,488)
» The Group reported a net current liability position of $17,672,892 (2024: $14,718,912)
» The Group reported net equity of $179,688,576 (2024: $180,940,139).
» The current liability position reflects:
» the Group’s business model whereby long-term leases are entered into to secure properties for barristers’ chambers over an extended period (with the associated lease liabilities recognised on balance sheet) however rental contracts with barristers are short-term (predominantly month-to-month), backed by very high retention rates, a large number of very long tenancies by barristers and low vacancies.
» current liabilities also includes deferred revenue of $8,638,926 (2024: $8,121,467) being rent and subscriptions prepaid by barristers in advance of the end of the financial year. This balance will be realised in the ordinary course of business and is therefore not expected to result in a cash outflow.
» borrowings of $23,250,000 being classified as current (2024: $10,704,384) due to contractual repayments, with $20,850,000 relating to the repayment of the Group’s Market rate loan on expiry in April 2026. The Group has received correspondence supporting the extension of this loan to August 2026, with formal facility agreements
currently being drafted.
» classification of Douglas Menzies Chambers investment property as an Asset held for sale has improved the current liability position.
The Officers have reviewed cash flow forecasting and believe the Group has sufficient cash reserves to be able to continue to pay its debts as and when they fall due for at least twelve months from the date of signing the financial statements and as such have prepared the financial statements on the going concern basis. This considers:
» The Group’s forecast performance and cash flows are expected to be positive for the year ended 30 June 2026. Excluding fair value decreases on property, the reported result before income tax for the year ended 30 June 2025 was a surplus of $17,007,768. Forecasts include considerations of short term rental and vacancies and timely collection of debtors.
» On 6 June 2025, the Group entered into a Contract of Sale to sell its investment property at 180 William Street, Melbourne for net consideration of $22,150,000. The transfer of the property to the purchaser is required to be settled by June 2026. Part of the proceeds from the sale will be used to repay the Group’s borrowings.
With the additional property in its portfolio and significantly increased gearing, loan covenant headroom has reduced substantially and will need to be carefully monitored to ensure the Group can take the necessary actions to continue to comply with its covenants if there is an unexpected and significant downturn in the Group’s financial performance. Specifically, a further decline in property market values could cause a breach of the Group’s Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) covenant, unless other mitigating actions are taken. If that occurred, the Group expects it would be able to manage its operating cash flows and timing of capital expenditure and repay additional debt, which may require sale of property to a level sufficient to offset the property value reduction in calculating the LVR. Based on its forecast, the Group is expected to have sufficient cash and access to undrawn facilities to continue to meet its debts as and when they fall due and comply with its loan covenants for at least 12 months from the date of issuing these financial statements. As such, the directors have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.
4. Revenue
5. Other gains - net
of fit out inventive assets (1)
(1)
(1) On 30 August 2024, the Group settled the purchase of the property at 200 Queen Street, Melbourne. This was funded by an external loan (Note 18). Given this property was previously leased by the Group, on settlement of the purchase, the associated right of use asset ($12,468,676), lease liability ($23,900,992) make good provision ($4,880,513) and fit out ($3,312,691) recognised at 30 June 2024 were derecognised.
6. Surplus before income tax
6. Surplus before income tax (cont’d)
Auditor’s remuneration - Deloitte
Auditors
– PwC
7. Income tax (expense)/benefit
Components of income tax (expense)/benefit
Tax
8. Other financial assets - current
9. Trade and other receivables
parties (i)
(i) Relates to amounts receivable from subsidiaries, Barristers Chambers Limited and Opus Workspaces Pty Ltd, for tax payable by those entities on behalf of the Tax consolidated Group.
10. Other assets
10. Other assets (cont’d)
11. Assets held for sale
In June 2025, the Group entered into a Contract of Sale to sell its investment property at 180 William Street, Melbourne for net consideration of $22,150,000. The transfer of the property to the purchaser is required to be settled by June 2026.
12. Investment in subsidiary
The consolidated Group is made up of the parent entity, the Victorian Bar Inc., and subsidiary companies the Melbourne Bar Pty Ltd and Barristers’ Chambers Limited and its subsidiary Opus Workspaces Pty Ltd.
Barristers’ Chambers Limited is a public company incorporated in Australia and operating in Australia. Opus Workspaces Pty Ltd is a private company incorporated and operating in Australia. It is wholly owned by Barristers’
13. Other financial assets
Other financial assets comprise predominantly of capital notes, which are held in a portfolio managed by JB Were.
Chambers Ltd. Barristers’ Chambers Ltd is wholly owned by the Association.
The Melbourne Bar Pty Ltd is a private company incorporated in Australia. It has not operated. It has acted as a nominee of the Victorian Bar Inc. in being the registered owner of shares in Barristers Chambers Limited and entering into license agreements with approved clerks.
14. Property, plant and equipment
15. Investment properties
16. Intangible assets
The useful life of Software used in the calculation of amortisation is 5 years.
17. Trade and other payables
18. Borrowings
(i) Bank loan is secured by a charge over property situated at 525-539 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne known as Owen Dixon Chambers West,property situated at 205-221 William Street, Melbourne known as Owen Dixon Chambers East, property situated at 180 William Street, Melbourne known as Douglas Menzies Chambers and property situated at 200 Queen Street, Melbourne known as Aickin Chambers. The bank loan consists of a Cash Advance Facility - maturing 29 August 2027 and a Market Rate Loan Facility - maturing 26 April 2026.
19. Derivative financial instruments
Under the terms of the bank loan, the Group is required to comply with an interest coverage ratio and a loan to value ratio. As at 30 June 2025, the Group complied with its debt covenant ratios and based upon the Group’s internal forecast to 30 June 2026, will continue to remain in compliance with these covenants. Ongoing compliance is dependent on future property valuations, operating performance and changes in interest rates. Refer to Note 3 in relation to the sensitivity disclosures for Investment Property valuations.
Classification of derivatives
Derivatives are only used for economic hedging purposes and not as speculative investments. All derivatives in place during and at the end of the year qualified for hedge accounting. They are presented as current assets or liabilities to the extent they are expected to be settled within 12 months after the end of the reporting year.
The Group's accounting policy for its cash flow hedges is set out in note 3(r). Further information about the derivatives used by the Group is provided in note below.
Interest rate swaps
The Group's main interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings with variable rates which expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. The Group hedges the exposure to interest rate risk by using floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps.
20. Provisions
Generally, the Group enters into long-term borrowings at floating rates and swaps them into fixed rates that are lower than those available if the Group borrowed at fixed rates directly. The Group's borrowings at variable rate were denominated in Australian dollars.
The hedged interest payments are contractually due and payable on a quarterly basis until expiry on 29 August 2027. The gains and losses recognised in the cash flow hedge reserve on interest rate swaps as of 30 June 2025 will be reclassified to profit or loss in the period or periods during which the hedged interest payments take place.
The Group has determined the fair value of the interest rate swaps by calculating the present value of the estimated future cash flows based on observable yield curves for the particular currency.
The Group has recognised expenses of $825,312 in the current period (2024: $721,341) in relation to defined contribution plans which are included in employee benefit expenses in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
21. Leases
During the current period total make good provisions of $3,312,691 were derecognised in relation to the purchase of property at 200 Queen Street, Melbourne, which was previously leased. Refer to note 5.
Additions to right-of-use assets during the year ended 30 June 2025 were $17,060,143 (2024: $nil). Disposals of right-of-use assets were $12,468,676 (2024: $nil).
21. Leases (continued)
Future lease payments in relation to lease liabilities as at year end are as follows:
but not later than
22. Cash and cash equivalents
(a) Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents
For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand and in banks and investments in money market instruments, net of outstanding bank overdrafts. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year as shown in the statement of cash flows is reconciled to the related items in the statement of financial position as follows:
(b) Reconciliation of Surplus / (Deficit) for the year to net cash flows from operating activities
/ (Deficit) for the year after income tax (expense)/ benefit
23. Officers remuneration
During the year ended 30 June 2025, no member of the Council received any remuneration from the Association. A premium was paid for Directors’ and Officers’ Liability insurance.
24. Capital commitments
As at 30 June 2025, capital expenditure contracted for but not recognised as liabilities amounted to $741,000 (2024: commitments of $153,000,000, relating to the acquisition of 200 Queen Street, settled 30 August 2024).
25. Subsequent events
In August 2025, the Group received a payment of $2,108,000, net of transaction costs, as a deposit for the future sale of the property held at 180 William Street, Melbourne, consistent with the terms of the Contract of Sale entered into in June 2025.
No other matter or circumstance has arisen since 30 June 2025 that has significantly affected the Group's operations, results or state of affairs, or may do so in future years.
Barristers’ Benevolent Foundation of Victoria
Barristers’ Benevolent Foundation of Victoria Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2025 (unaudited)
The Directors of the Barristers’ Benevolent Foundation of Victoria (BBFV) are the Bar Council President, the Honorary Treasurer and one Vice President of the Bar Council. The closing balance of the BBFV Capital Fund as at 30 June 2025 was $3.425 million. This is an increase in funds of $0.140 million over the previous year ($3.285 million). The closing balance includes interest-free loans made to barristers.
10 Year History of Subscriptions and Grants/Loans ($000)
The portfolio provided the following return since inception for the year ended 30 June 2025:
During 2024-2025, the Foundation made payments by way of grants and loans to members and immediate family totalling $406,000. This is the most financial support the Foundation has provided to our barristers and their families over the past 10 years.
Donations received for the 2024-2025 year were $19,782. In addition, the Foundation received loan repayments totalling $15,764 during the year.
Amounts Held by Equity Trustees at Market Value as at 30 June 2025
The market value of the Foundation’s investment portfolio as at 30 June 2025, as provided by Equity Trustees:
The portfolio produced a solid total net return of 9.9% in FY25. Since inception (23 September 2022) the Portfolio has provided a return of 9.6% per annum, outperforming the CPI +2.5% investment objective.
The portfolio slightly underperformed the Total Benchmark Return in FY25 due to its underperformance in Australian equities and the defensive tactical positioning of the portfolio relative to the benchmark weights.
In Australian equities, the Foundation has invested in the EQT Charitable Screen Equities Common Fund, which employs a defensive approach that is positioned to outperform the index in down-markets but may at times underperform in up-markets. Despite this approach, the Common Fund has produced solid absolute returns and has a strong medium and long-term track record when compared to the market.
BENEVOLENT FOUNDATION OF VICTORIA Comparative Financial Statement for the Period 30 June 2025
Basis of Preparation of Comparative Financial Statement
The Comparative Financial Statement for the year ended 30 June 2025 has been prepared using historical costs for recording transaction and comparative asset values.
Capital Movement between/within funds
From time to time, capital movements occur between or within the funds managed by Equity Trustees, which will be (if any) reflected in an adjustment to the closing fund balance.
