The candidates who are standing in the election for the 2020 Bar Council have been announced. One category only 'Employed QC or Junior over 7 years in practice' is going to ballot. You are invited to vote regardless of whether you are an employed or self-employed barrister.

Online voting will commence via MyBar on Friday 4 October 2019 and votes must be cast by 10am on Monday 21 October 2019.  Candidate statements can be read here. 

The election will be conducted by single transferable vote and the results of the election will be announced by listing successful candidates in the order of voter preference.

Self-employed Queen's Counsel (2 full-term vacancies)

There was one candidate in this category who is duly elected. The second position will be advertised as a casual vacancy, in accordance with the Bar Council Constitution (Part II, 7(d)), after the election process has concluded.

  1. Steven Thompson QC

Self-employed Juniors over seven years in practice (7 full-term vacancies)

There were five candidates in this category, all of whom are duly elected.  The remaining two positions will be advertised as casual vacancies, in accordance with the Bar Council Constitution (Part II, 7(d)), after the election process has concluded.

  1. Sydney Chawatama

  2. Grace Ong

  3. Deshpal Panesar

  4. David Christopher Taylor

  5. Anton Van Dellen

Self-employed Juniors under seven years in practice (4 full-term vacancies)

There were two candidates in this category, both of whom are duly elected.  The remaining two positions will be advertised as casual vacancies, in accordance with the Bar Council Constitution (Part II, 7(d)),  after the election process has concluded.

  1. Michael Polak

  2. Natasha Shotunde

Employed QCs or Juniors over seven years in practice (3 x full-term vacancies, 1 x two-year vacancy and 1 x one-year vacancy)

There were six candidates in this category, which exceeds the number of vacancies. Therefore, this category will be put to a vote.  Terms of appointment will be filled in order of those candidates who receive the most votes.

  1. Philip Bennetts QC

  2. Shelley Brownlee

  3. James Kitching

  4. Marie-Claire O'Hara

  5. Ryan Richter

  6. Mark Wright

Employed Juniors under seven years in practice (2 full-term vacancies)

There was one candidate in this category who is duly elected. The second position will be advertised as a casual vacancy, in accordance with the Bar Council Constitution (Part II, 7(d)), after the election process has concluded.

  1. Michael Harwood