Matt Collins has been elected president of the Victorian Bar Council.
Collins is one of the country’s leading media law barristers. He is a senior fellow at the Melbourne Law School. He is also the author of “Collins on Defamation” and editor of all three editions of “The Law of Defamation and the Internet,” both published by the Oxford University Press.
He is a door tenant at London’s One Brick Court Chambers. He has also been involved in royal commissions and was a senior associate at Mallesons Stephen Jaques and associate to Justice Donnell Ryan in the
Federal Court of Australia.
“I would like to pay tribute to Jennifer Batrouney for her leadership, hard work and strong commitment to the members and ideals of the Bar, not only during the past year, but over many years of exemplary service,” said Collins.
“I am honoured to have been elected as president of the Victorian Bar – an independent college of specialist advocates which is proud of its heritage, but at the same time modern, accessible and committed to principles of equality and diversity. The Victorian Bar plays an irreplaceable role in our system of justice by furthering the rule of law in the service of the people of Victoria,” he said.
Matthew J Collins QC
Batrouney said it was a pleasure to serve as the president of the Victorian Bar.
“The Victorian Bar has a strong history of making a vital contribution to the Victorian justice system and safeguarding the rule of law,” she said. “It has been a privilege to lead the bar and I am proud of our achievements and progress during the last 12 months.”
The council is made up of 12 women and nine men:
Eleven counsel who are Queen's Counsel, Senior Counsel, or junior counsel of not less than fifteen years standing
- Matthew Collins, QC – President
- Wendy Harris, QC - Senior Vice-President
- Simon Marks, QC - Junior Vice-President
- Paul Holdenson, QC
- Michelle Quigley QC
- Ian Freckelton, QC
- Caroline Kenny, QC
- Jacinta Forbes, QC
- Áine Magee, QC
- Fiona Ellis
- P Justin Hannebery
Six counsel who are not of Queen's Counsel or Senior Counsel and are of not more than fifteen, nor less than six years standing
- Sam Hay - Honorary Treasurer
- Stewart Maiden - Assistant Honorary Treasurer
- Justin Wheelahan
- Elizabeth Ruddle
- Sarah Keating
- Kathleen Foley
Four counsel who are not of Queen's Counsel or Senior Counsel and are of less than six years standing
- Barbara Myers
- Erin Hill
- Julia Frederico
- Daniel Nguyen
Honorary secretaries appointed by the Victorian Bar Council
- Nicole Papaleo - Honorary Secretary
- Andrew Bell - Assistant Honorary Secretary
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