South Australian Bar Association Member of the Australian Bar Association
Independence
In September 1955 Christopher Legoe decided to set himself up in practice solely as a barrister and sought exemption from the requirement to keep a trust account (which was granted by the Law Society). This represented “a major new direction for South Australia’s fused legal profession – then almost 120 years old”.
“Legoe practised as a barrister in splendid isolation for seven years before he was joined by others.” Jack Elliott in 1962 and Robin Millhouse and Howard Zelling in 1964. Since then the Bar has continued to grow, now numbering over 200.
According to the Hon. Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE, “the emergence of a separate Bar has enhanced the quality of advocacy in South Australia”.
Bar Association
The “inaugural meeting of the South Australian Bar Association was held in Howard Zelling’s Chambers on 23 December 1964.
Bar Roll
At the first meeting, a “humble exercise book was pronounced the Roll and all four barristers signed it”. “That exercise book continues to serve as the official bar roll [fifty] years later with over [250] signatures.”
Australian Bar Association
On “24 January 1963, the first general meeting of the Australian Bar Association was held in Hobart” (made up of the three eastern states’ associations). The SA Bar Association became a member in 1968.
Source:
History of the Independent Bar of South Australia
John Emerson
(2006 and updated in 2020)
Marie Shaw KC
Mark Hoffmann QC
Ian Robertson SC
Andrew Harris QC
Patrick O’Sullivan QC
Mark Livesey QC
Malcolm Blue QC
Dick Whitington QC
Jonathan Wells QC
Brian Hayes QC
Anthony Besanko QC
Malcolm Gray QC
Michael Abbott QC
David Quick QC
John Doyle QC
John Mansfield QC
Robert Lawson QC
David Angel QC
Kevin Duggan QC
Horton Williams QC
Phillip Rice QC
Keith Sangster QC
Howard Zelling QC
Christopher Legoe QC
2016: President: Patrick O’Sullivan QC
2015: Vice-President: Patrick O’Sullivan QC
2014: President: Mark Livesey QC
2013: Vice-President: Mark Livesey QC
1973: President: Christopher Legoe QC