John Emerson

A History of the Independent Bar of South Australia John Emerson

The history of the South Australian Bar, as related by John Emerson, is a fascinating story. The record tells us that it began with the courageous decision of Christopher Legoe in 1955 to set himself up in practice solely as a barrister and to seek exemption from the obligation to keep a trust account. This he did with the acquiescence of the Law Society which has, ever since, maintained a friendly relationship with the Bar.




Although Legoe's decision was taken 120 years after the foundation of the colony, his decision reflected what the minuscule legal profession had in mind from the colony's early days - ultimately to divide into the separate branches of solicitors and barristers.

Legoe practised as a barrister in splendid isolation for seven years before he was joined by others. Since then the Bar has continued to grow. Its membership now exceeds 170.




From the Original Foreword in 2006 by Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE




Since then the South Australian independent bar has grown to around 225 and the small sets of chambers from which they mostly practise have continued to evolve and develop.




This full-colour edition revises the original 2006 text and brings it up to the end of 2020. It updates the record of the members of chambers and adds a further 45 Queen's and Senior Counsel to the biographical entries on silks appointed since 1974.