Brian Bourke Chambers

Congratulations Michael Stanton SC, today appointed Senior Counsel for the State of Victoria! Wonderful recognition. We are so proud of everything he has achieved.

BBC dinner 2024 :-)

A special visitor in chambers today - Romeo! 🐶🥰

Celebrating new arrivals on the floor - new readers and a couple of babies! We hope people have a restful break over Easter 🐣

It’s the season! 🎄

Go Tillies! ⚽️🟢🟡

Chambers din dins! 🍝🍷🥰

Had a great time at BBC supporting the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning (Afternoon) Tea. There’s still time to donate here! https://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/BrianBourkeChambers/biggest-morning-tea-vic

The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal 💞

The RCH Good Friday Appeal is back and BBC asks you to consider donating to this great cause.

Most of us know someone whose family relies on the care of the RCH, and you never know when you might need it too.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, makes an enormous difference to helping the RCH provide world class care to sick little children.

You can give directly to the appeal here: https://www.goodfridayappeal.com.au

Happy Easter 🐰

We pass on our condolences to the family and community of Yunupingu. We’re proud to have a copy of the Barunga Statment in Chambers, presented by the Hon John Coldrey AM KC, who amongst other things was the Director of Legal Services at the Central Land Council (Northern Territory) from 1982-1984. May Yunupingu’s legacy result in a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament.

Great welcome this morning by Jason Gullaci SC for two of the best - their Honours Jarrod Williams and Malcolm Thomas.

Congratulations to all the new silks, and especially Jason Gullaci SC! Jason has been an incredible colleague, appearing regularly on both sides of the bar table and always willing to help juniors on the floor.

Congratulations to Jarrod Williams and Malcolm Thomas who have been appointed to the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. They’ll be sorely missed in Chambers!

Renovations calm before the storm!

2021 - we made it 🥳

Grand final week hits chambers 🤣

Congratulations to all the new judges, especially our Stewart Bayles! Stewart was a founding member of Brian Bourke Chambers, and prior to that was a member of Coldrey Chambers and Equity Chambers. He has been a mentor to countless barristers, and we will miss his calm and collegiate presence in chambers dearly. He was also a committee member of Liberty Victoria and a supervisor for Liberty Victoria's Rights Advocacy Project.

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/six-new-judges-appointed-county-court

Sunrise on Lonsdale 🌅

Brian spoke at our opening on 6 October 2017. Pictured here with Judge Cahill and Gideon Haigh.

***Brian's funeral will be held this Friday 6 April 2018 at 1pm at St Ignatius' Church, 326 Church Street, Richmond***

***Brian's funeral will be held this Friday 6 April 2018 at 1pm at St Ignatius' Church, 326 Church Street, Richmond***

VALE BRIAN BOURKE

On 30 March 2018, following a stroke, Brian Bourke died peacefully at home.

Brian had been a barrister for nearly 58 years until his retirement in 2017. He was an outstanding criminal advocate who was the first-choice barrister for many famous and infamous crime figures. He represented Ronald Ryan, the last man hanged in Victoria, for the murder of a prison guard and counted underworld boss, Mick Gatto, as a friend.

Despite his own achievements and successes, Brian was a modest man who shunned accolades. He never took silk because he didn't believe in it and, as a firm republican, he reluctantly accepted his Queen's Birthday honour (AM) in June last year.

So, shortly after, and with some trepidation, I approached him to request we name our newly established Lonsdale Street chambers, Brian Bourke Chambers. Always laconic and direct, he replied, "Ok, mate."

We launched the Chambers on 6 October 2017 before a full house of retired and current judges and magistrates, lawyers and friends. Brian opened the chambers. He was sharp and funny. His first words were, "When I woke up this morning I was Brian Bourke. Now I'm Brian Bourke with chambers named after me." With characteristic humility he told us, "It is a great honour you extend to me."

Brian generously gave us a fine portrait, which captures him relaxed in chambers sporting his signature, striped socks, and his chambers desk which is said to have belonged to Sir Owen Dixon.

He was active in the development of the chambers. He approved the chambers logo, Red and White, which acknowledges his time as President of the South Melbourne Football Club. He enjoyed the online presence of Brian Bourke Chambers on Facebook and Twitter. He visited chambers a couple of times and took great pleasure in the progress of our group, particularly the younger members.

We know, in his short retirement, after an illustrious career at our criminal bar, he was thrilled to be known as "… Brian Bourke with chambers named after (him)".

‪We were so fortunate to have Brian Bourke AM speak at our opening last year. He will continue to be an inspiration to generations of Victorian lawyers who care about defending and protecting the rule of law. Rest well.‬

Liberty Victoria

We are beyond thrilled to announce that Magda Szubanski is the winner of the Voltaire Award for 2018! Yassmin Abdel-Magied is the Young Voltaire Award winner, and Behrouz Boochani wins the Empty Chair Award. Early bird tickets to the Award dinner on 21 July 2018 on sale now! Link below.

Brian Bourke Chambers

Brian Bourke Chambers's cover photo

ICJV Endorses Michael Stanton's Article on Judicial Independence - ICJ Victoria

icjvictoria.com.au ICJV endorses this article by Michael Stanton, Vice-President of Liberty Victoria. The article states how the willingness of Cabinet Ministers to attack the independence of Victorian judges reveals a blatant disregard for the rule of law. It is also inconsistent with fundamental conservative princip...

Great article on the opening of Brian Bourke Chambers in the Victorian Bar News! Thanks to the author Justin Wheelahan.