Inbrief
The 42nd Great Bar Boat Race
The 42nd Great Bar Boat Race will be held on Monday, 22 December 2025 beginning near Shark Island at 11 am and finishing at Store Beach. All enquiries should be addressed to Adrian Gruzman (0400 22...
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Temporary relocation of the Land and Environment Court registry counter and courtrooms
During the court vacation from Monday, 22 December 2025 to Friday, 30 January 2026, the Land and Environment Court registry counter will temporarily be located on the ground floor of 50 Phillip...
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Wardell Chambers room for licence
Sponsored
Available 2 February 2026 Wardell Chambers has an external room (30.62 sqm) for sale. The room, which has a fabulous view of Hyde Park and loads of natural light, is fitted out with...
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Mental Health First Aid Course
The next Mental Health First Aid course for New South Wales barristers and clerks will be run in a hybrid format with the in-person component to be held on 3 February 2026.
The day will begin at...
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Registrations open: 2026 Regional CPD Conference Series
The NSW Bar Association is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Regional CPD Conference Series. This is an exclusive opportunity to advance your professional development, gain expert insights,...
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Court closures and holiday arrangements 2025–2026
Members can find details of court arrangements over the holiday period at the links below:
New South Wales courts
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Ceremonial Sitting to mark the retirement of Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson
A Ceremonial Sitting of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory to mark the retirement of The Honourable Justice Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson will be held in Courtroom 3, Supreme Court on...
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Hanukkah
Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah or the Festival of Lights, commences on Sunday, 14 December this year. Hanukkah is Hebrew for “dedication”, and the festival lasts eight days and nights. During...
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Craig Lenehan SC appointed to the Federal Court
Mr Craig Lenehan SC (5 St James' Hall) has been appointed as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia, commencing on 9 February 2026. Click here to view the media release.
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Book launch of Law, Justice and Other Challenges: Selected Speeches and Papers of Michael Kirby
Members are invited to the launch of Law, Justice and Other Challenges: Selected Speeches and Papers of Michael Kirby (edited by Dr Paul Vout KC), to be held in the Banco Court on 16 December from...
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2026 Law Council Executive
The members of the Law Council Executive elected for 2026 are:
- Ms Tania Wolff, President
- Ms Elizabeth Shearer, President-elect
- Mr Lachlan Molesworth, Treasurer
- Ms Jennifer Ball, Executive Member
- Mr...
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District Court: Deputy Chief Judge appointments
Judges Stephen Hanley SC and Christopher O’Brien AM have been appointed Deputy Chief Judges of the District Court of New South Wales. Their Honours will commence their new roles on December 15....
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Expressions of interest: NSWBA and AAI Train the Trainer workshop
The NSW Bar Association’s Professional Development department is seeking advocacy coaches to assist twice a year with the Bar Practice Course. Coaching sessions take place between 4.30pm and 6pm on...
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Reissue of IRC Practice Note 13 – Award Review Procedures
The Industrial Relations Commission has rescinded and reissued Practice Note 13 – Award Review Procedures. The reissued Practice Note 13 can be accessed via the IRC website here.
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Boulten SC and Sirtes SC appointed to the Supreme Court
Phillip Boulten SC (Forbes Chambers) and Gregory Sirtes SC (12 Wentworth Selborne Chambers) have been appointed to the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Mr Boulten will be sworn in on February 3 and...
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Tomorrow: Farewell ceremony for the Hon Justice Ian Harrison
After 18 years of service, the Hon Justice Ian Harrison will be retiring as a Judge of Appeal and Chief Judge at Common Law in January 2026. Justice Harrison was sworn in as a judge of the Supreme...
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Bar News Summer 25 is now online
Bar News Summer 2025 is now available to read online here. In this special anniversary edition, current and former editors, writers, illustrators and staffers reflect on the journal's 40 years of...
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Vale: Barry Michael Joseph Toomey KC (1935–2025)
Barry Toomey KC died on 9 December 2025, aged 90. He was called to the Bar in 1967, took silk in 1980 and practised full time at the Sydney Bar for 51 consecutive years.
In 1993 Toomey KC was one of...
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Volunteers sought for Legal Assistance Referral Scheme
The NSW Bar Association Legal Assistance Referral Scheme, which has formally existed since 1996, reflects the strongly held view of the Bar that a person’s rights and access to justice should not...
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Solution Focused Justice – A Cross Jurisdictional Symposium
Friday, 20 February 2026 AND Saturday, 21 February 2026
On the 20th and 21st of February 2026, the Bugmy Bar Book, the NSW Bar Association, Te Kura Kaiwhakawā (New Zealand Institute of Judicial...
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CPD expressions of interest -19 March 2026
The Education Committee is seeking expressions of interest for attendees to participate in an interactive CPD session scheduled for 19 March 2026.
Given the critical importance of the content...
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Professional Standards Scheme mandatory disclosure statement
Every barrister who holds a NSW practising certificate, is a member of the Bar Association and has approved professional indemnity insurance, is covered by the NSW Bar Association’s Professional...
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Supreme Court: Farewell sitting for the Hon Justice Garling
The Hon Justice Peter Garling will retire as a judge of the Common Law Division. An informal farewell sitting will be held on Thursday, 18 December 2025 in Court 13A, Law Courts Building at 9.15am....
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Vale: Robert William Hunt (1947–2025)
Robert Hunt, formerly of 14 Wardell Chambers has passed away. He was called to the Bar in 1983 and practised in international and domestic disputes specialising in construction, engineering, marine,...
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BarCare: Confidential consultation, counselling and care
BarCare is an independent, professional counselling service, which helps the Bar to access appropriate psychological support when dealing with issues that may impact on their mental health and...
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