An Independent Bar was first formed in the NT on 1 October 1974 when Michael Maurice (later QC, the Aboriginal Land Commissioner and a Judge of the Supreme Court of the NT) and Tom Pauling (later QC, the NT Solicitor General and the Administrator of the NT) left their respective legal firms and established Mallam Chambers in Mitchell Street, Darwin.
Soon after cyclone Tracey struck Darwin in December 1974, they were joined by Ian Barker QC (later the first NT Solicitor General).
The Northern Territory Bar Association was established in June 1980 at a meeting held in Darwin. The inaugural President was Michael Maurice.
Since then the Independent Bar has gone from strength to strength and its members now number more than 50 barristers.
President: Duncan McConnel SC
Vice President: Mary Chalmers SC
Secretary: Mel Yates
Treasurer: Glenn Mohammed
2017 – 2020 Miles Crawley SC
2016 – 2017 Wade Roper SC
2015 – 2016 Ben O’Loughlin
2013 – 2014 John Lawrence SC
2010 – 2012 Raelene Webb QC
2007 – 2009 Peter Barr QC
2005 – 2007 Jon Tippett QC
2000 – 2005 John Reeves QC
1997 – 2000 Colin McDonald QC
1993 – 1997 Trevor Riley QC
1991 – 1993 Graham Hiley QC
1987 – 1991 Dean Mildren QC
1980 – 1987 Tom Pauling QC
1980 – Michael Maurice QC
The Bar Council is comprised of the office bearers, representatives from the various established chambers and a representative of the special members e.g. the Solicitor General, the DPP and Crown Counsel.
There are currently 4 established chambers in Darwin.
William Forster Chambers – As the successor to the original chambers formed in the mid 70s, William Forster Chambers is the oldest chambers. It was named William Forster Chambers in 1988 after the first Chief Justice of the NT Supreme Court Sir William Forster. It is the largest set of chambers with 18 barristers.
John Toohey Chambers – John Toohey Chambers was established by Pat McIntyre in 1997 adopting the name of a former Aboriginal Land Commissioner, NT Supreme Court judge, Federal Court judge and, ultimately, High Court judge.
Edmund Barton Chambers – Edmund Barton Chambers was established in 1998 by Pat Loftus. It has an association with other chambers of the same name in South Australia.
Murray Chambers – Murray Chambers was established in Darwin in 2018 and has an association with chambers of the same name in Adelaide and Perth, with a combined membership of 34 barristers. SA chambers is named after Sir George Murray who was Chief Justice of South Australia 1916 – 1942. WA chambers is named in honour of the Hon Michael Murray QC, a former Senior Judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia . The founding NT members were Mary Chalmers, Georgia McMaster, Tamzin Lee, Raelene Webb QC and Kerry Clark.
The NTBA has adopted a set of Conduct Rules which define the conduct expected of a person who is practising as a barrister in the NT. The Conduct Rules are amended from time to time to address current issues.
STRATEGY |
TASKS |
1. Advancing the good administration of justice |
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2. Maintaining the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct for advocates in the NT |
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3. Promoting quality advocacy in courts, tribunals and other forums |
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4. Promoting and representing the interests of the members of the NTBA. |
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