The Bar Association

On 22 October 1936 the New South Wales Bar Association was incorporated and the first meeting of the Council of the New South Wales Bar Association took place. The association is governed by the Constitution of the New South Wales Bar Association (ACN 000 033 652) under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). 

Senior Counsel applications

President Tim Game SC invites applications for Senior Counsel for 2019. Applications must be submitted online, no later than 5.00pm on Wednesday, 31 July 2019.

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. 

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.

Bar Council

The Bar Association's governing body is its Bar Council, comprising  21 barristers elected by the membership. It is the designated local regulatory authority for a range of functions under the Uniform Law. Those functions have been delegated. A register of the delegations is available here .

Law reform and public affairs

The Bar Association’s Law Reform and Public Affairs Department works with the President, Bar Council and the Association’s committees in the promotion of the administration of justice and making recommendations with respect to legislation, law reform, rules of court and the business and procedure of courts. The Law Reform and Public Affairs Department provides secretariat, research and writing support to the association’s committees and assists the president and Bar Council in matters relating to public engagement, including media.

Our information  resources are made available to the media, policymakers, parliamentarians and members of the legal profession and include: media releases, submissions, Bar News, InBrief, annual reports, policy papers and statistics

Committees and other appointments

Bar Council is assisted by specialist committees comprised of barrister volunteers who offer their skills and expertise for the benefit of the public and the profession. View the lists of  committees, court liaison committees, government working parties and statutory authorities.

Committees regularly advise and assist the Bar Council in matters of law reform and public affairs, including responding to matters of public policy and the administration of justice. This can involve providing expert commentary to ministers, members of parliament, government and parliamentary committees and law reform agencies.

Register of delegations

The Council of the New South Wales Bar Association is the designated local regulatory authority for a range of functions under the  Uniform Law. Those functions have been delegated. A register of the delegations is available  here.