COURT APPEARANCES

Barrister Search Australia

Court Lawyers admitted to plead at the bar of its superior courts such as the High Court, Federal Court, Supreme Court, District, Family, or County Courts, are called barristers, court room advocates or trial lawyers.

These distinguished legal practitioners are ranked according to eminence and seniority, a Queen's Counsel (QC) or Senior Counsel (SC) leading at the top of the leader board. Those below are referred to as Junior Counsel, or simply Counsel.

Each is fearlessly independent, objective and qualified not only to provide full court representation if required, but also to advise on the strengths and weaknesses of cases initially, when early settlement of disputes or litigation is most desirable.

Settlement | Arbitration | Mediation

Taking early legal advice from skilled practitioners might save disputants the cost and worry of unnecessary, expensive litigation. A high proportion of civil claims are settled out of court and by instructing a barrister in the preliminary stages of a dispute, the chances of successfully ending an unhappy disagreement are definitely enhanced.

Barristers are also highly capable arbitrators, and mediators.

Barristers in all States and Territories of Australia are easily identifiable when appearing in superior courts by wearing their distinctive dress - a black robe and horsehair wig, quaint reminders of Australia's English legal heritage.

They usually practise by grouping together in offices near Courts in which they frequently appear, known as "Chambers".

Barrister's Chambers

Anyone who has viewed the classic TV series Rumpole of the Bailey on ABC TV in the 1970's and 1980's, or read any of John Mortimer QC's books, should be sufficiently acquainted with how these groups of professionals operate.

Chambers are not firms, companies or separate legal entities, but co-operative associations or collections of self-employed legal practitioners who, although in strict competition with one another, operate from single premises or offices in groups for practical reasons, mainly to share overheads and resources such as rent, secretarial and library facilities.

Barristers' Clerks

In the larger, more populous States (NSW, VIC), by sheer force of numbers, competent clerical management is required to assist busy barristers with day to day operations. Clerks are employed in a management capacity, dealing directly with solicitors, clients, court officials and the public. Access to barristers in these States is usually via a clerk, thus freeing the practitioner to concentrate entirely on practising law.

Clerks are fully acquainted with each Chamber member's skill, speciality and availability, providing practical guidance to potential clients in the selection of appropriate Counsel.

They also care for the administrative aspects of the group, such as marketing, media, electronic mail, searching Court lists, accepting, delivering and collecting briefs, receiving and noting telephone calls, bookkeeping, and accounting.

Search Barristers Chambers

Click on a State or Territory to commence.

If you require the services of a barrister but not sure if he or she is the best choice, talk to the chamber's clerk if one is available.