A Message from President Phillip Boulten SC - Incorporation of Barristers

18/07/2013

The Bar Council at its meeting tonight gave further consideration to the concept of incorporation of barristers’ practices.

This was not the first time this Bar Council has considered the issue.

At its meeting of 6 June the Bar Council resolved to seek senior counsels’ advice as to:

•whether incorporation of barristers’ practices would result in any tax benefits to them;

•whether there are any benefits, or disadvantages, from incorporation in terms of limitation to barristers’ liability; and

•whether there are other advantages or disadvantages for barristers – and the Bar – in barristers being able to incorporate their practice.

Bar Council has not yet received that advice.

It is clear that there are complicated issues of process and substance that need to be considered and will be the subject of discussion over time.

In accordance with s. 249 D of the Corporations Act 2001, a request has been received for a general meeting of the Bar to be held in respect of this issue.

The Bar Council decided to call this meeting and will notify members of the date as soon as practicable.

18 July 2013