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.
Thank you for visiting Barrister Search Australia.