Victorian Bar

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The Victorian Bar is the bar association of the Australian State of Victoria. The 2024-2025 President of the Bar is Justin Hannebery KC.^[1] Its members are barristers registered to practice in Victoria. Those who have been admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Victoria are eligible to join the Victorian Bar after sitting an entrance exam and completing a Bar Readers' course. The Victorian Bar is affiliated with the Australian Bar Association and is a member of the Law Council of Australia.

The first association of barristers in Victoria was formed in 1884, although the first barristers admitted to practice in Victoria were appointed in 1841. On 20 June 1900, an official Bar Council was established and a Bar Roll was started. By 1902, all barristers practicing in Melbourne had signed the Roll. To this day, new barristers sign the Roll when they are admitted to the Bar.

As of October 2023, 34% of barristers at the Victorian Bar were women, up from 5% in 1980. In 2023, 13% of members were born outside of Australia and 6% speak languages other than English at home. Nine women have served as Chairs or Presidents of the Bar, including Elizabeth Bennett KC (now the Honourable Justice Bennett), Roisin Annesley KC, as well as, Susan Crennan AC KC, Kate McMillan SC (now the Honourable Justice McMillian), Melanie Sloss SC (now the Honourable Justice Sloss), Fiona McLeod SC, Jennifer Batrouney KC, Wendy Harris KC and Georgina Schoff KC.