For members
Membership
Being a member of the Bar Association and holding a NSW barrister's practising certificate are distinctly separate. The Bar Association provides a variety of services and benefits, which help members to: promote their skills and experience as advocates to prospective clients; better manage their practice; care for their health and wellbeing; balance family and work commitments; cope in times of personal hardship, tragedy or ill-health; and foster a sense of collegiality at the bar. Learn more about joining the association.
- For CPD, practising certificates and other professional obligations, visit Coming to the bar
- Members CPD live stream can be found here
BarADR promotes barristers trained and accredited in the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes of mediation, arbitration and expert determination. For more information about BarADR or the process of accreditation, email us via baradr@nswbar.asn.au
barristers classifieds
Barristers' Classifieds is a free service for members of the Bar Association, which allows them to buy or sell chambers, wigs, gowns, law reports and more. A new version of Barristers' Classifieds is now live.
Bar Library
The Bar Library is open to practising members of the New South Wales Bar and financial members of the Bar Association.The library’s lending and research services are not available to persons who might reasonably be expected to have access to similar services in their home jurisdiction, institution or firm.
Childcare
The Bar Association has reserved 15 full time places under a management agreement across two childcare centres operated by Guardian Early Learning Group, for a period of three years from November 2016. This number can be increased, subject to availability. Members who apply for a place but are not immediately granted a place will be put on a wait list.
continuing PROFESSIONAL development
Barristers
costs and billing precedents
The Bar Association publishes precedents for barristers' costs agreements and disclosures offered in response to requests for precedent costs disclosure documents and costs agreements under Part 3.2 of Legal Profession Act 2004.
court attire
A brief guide for practitioners on where to buy court attire and an outline of attire to be worn by barristers in the various courts, commissions and tribunals in the federal and New South Wales jurisdictions.
Diversity and equality
The New South Wales Bar Association is committed to fostering diversity and equality in a manner that reflects the social and cultural diversity within the legal profession and the communities we serve.
Ethical guidance
The Bar Association conducts an ethical guidance scheme whereby barrister members of the New South Wales Bar Association can seek urgent ethical guidance from the Ethical Guidance Scheme.
Events
We foster collegiality at the bar through The Bench & Bar Dinner, the Tutors & Readers Dinner, 15 Bobbers and other events.
The Bar Association assists members with recovery from solicitors of unpaid fees, which have been outstanding for more than three months but less than two years.
Find a Barrister is an online directory of members with current
Member advantage
The New South Wales Bar Association has entered into a partnership with Member Advantage, leading provider of benefits programs. Your Bar Association membership entitles you to special savings on insurance, financial services, travel and many more, negotiated on your behalf through the Member Advantage program. Access your benefits via your Member Dashboard. Login here using your normal Bar Association / CPD streaming login.
Practising certificates
All New South Wales barristers'
Professional conduct
The Bar Association's Professional Conduct Department facilitates the investigation and reporting to Bar Council of conduct complaints referred to the Bar Council by the Legal Services Commissioner.
Professional Standards Scheme
As a member of the Bar Association, if you have a practising certificate and approved professional indemnity insurance, your liability for damages is limited to $1.5 million by virtue of The New South Wales Bar Association's Professional Standards Scheme.
Publications
The Bar Association's publications keep members up to date with recent developments and provoke discussion and debate on important matters of law, professional conduct and the administration of justice.
Readers Rooms
In order to assist new readers, the Bar Association publishes Readers Rooms, a page with all the relevant information regarding chambers, such as fees, application dates, selection criteria and contact details.
Reserved judgments delayed
If a practitioner is concerned with a delay in a reserved judgment, they can contact the Bar Association in writing requesting that inquiries be made of the court or tribunal.
Senior Counsel applications
The principles governing the selection and appointment of those to be designated as senior counsel by the president of the Bar Association are contained in the Senior Counsel Protocol . The Bar Association also publishes a short Guide to Practical Aspects of the operation of the Senior Counsel Protocol which experience has shown may be of interest to members of the bar. It is written for members of the bar who are considering making application for appointment as senior counsel. It is also intended to provide information to members of the public who wish to better understand the process. Applications must be completed online and must include a photograph.
Statement of status
When a person applies for a practising certificate in another state/territory/country, they may be required to provide a statement of status from all jurisdictions in which they are admitted. The Bar Association provides such a statement to practitioners (current and former). There is no charge for members of the association, but a fee applies to non-members even if they hold a current practising certificate. Simply complete and return a statement of status order form .
Strategic Plan 2017-20
The Bar Association has released its Strategic Plan for 2017-20. It sets out our objectives for a time of disruption in the market for legal services. Learn more here.
Voting rights
Have your say. It's your Bar Association. Class A members with a current NSW practising certificate are eligible to stand for and vote at the annual Bar Council elections
Practising at the bar is unquestionably stressful. The Bar Association supports the health and wellbeing of its members through a variety of services and benefits, such as BarCare, the Benevolent Fund and the work of the Wellbeing Committee.