Law Institute of Victoria
Encyclopedia
The Law Institute Victoria (LIV) is a legal society in the Australia
n State
of Victoria
. It is the professional association for solicitor
s in Victoria, making rules to regulate their practice, and representing them to governments and other bodies. The Institute was founded in 1859. The current President, since 1 January 2011, is Caroline Counsel, whilst the current CEO is Michael Brett Young.
founded the Institute at a meeting. The first President was David Ogilvie. From 1859, the Institute's offices were located in Collins Street
, and in 1883 the offices were relocated to the law courts complex in Lonsdale Street
. In 1905, Flos Greig
became the first woman to be admitted to practise as a solicitor in Victoria, and shortly after, was the first female member of the Institute. In 1927, the first issue of the Law Institute Journal (LIJ) was published by the Institute. In 1933, the Institute became a constituent member of the newly formed Law Council of Australia
.
In 1947, the Legal Profession Practice Act 1946, an act of the Parliament of Victoria
, officially confirmed the Institute's role as the regulating body for the legal profession in Victoria. By 1948, almost all solicitors in Victoria had become members of the Institute. In 1961 the Institute relocated to premises in Little Bourke Street
, but after fire destroyed the building in 1978, the Institute moved to 470 Bourke Street
, a site which previously hosted the first meeting of the Victorian Legislative Council
on 13 November 1851.
In 1991, Gail Owen became the first female President of the Institute. Former Presidents of the Institute include Alfred Brooks Malleson, Arthur Palmer Blake, John Gavan Duffy
(brother of Frank
and son of Charles
), Sir Arthur Robinson
, William Slater
, Bernard Teague
and John Cain II
.
In 1996, the Legal Profession Practice Act 1946 was replaced by the Legal Practice Act 1996. In 2005, the Legal Practice Act 1996 was repealed and replaced by the Legal Profession Act 2004
, the current legislation regulating the legal profession in Victoria.
The most recent Chief Executive Officers of the Law Institute Victoria include: Ian Dunn, John Cain III and Michael Brett Young.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n State
States and territories of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...
of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. It is the professional association for solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
s in Victoria, making rules to regulate their practice, and representing them to governments and other bodies. The Institute was founded in 1859. The current President, since 1 January 2011, is Caroline Counsel, whilst the current CEO is Michael Brett Young.
History
On 26 March 1859, a group of 26 solicitors in MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
founded the Institute at a meeting. The first President was David Ogilvie. From 1859, the Institute's offices were located in Collins Street
Collins Street, Melbourne
Collins Street is a major street in the Melbourne central business district and runs approximately east to west.It is notable as Melbourne's traditional main street and best known street, is often regarded as Australia's premier street, with some of the country's finest Victorian era buildings.The...
, and in 1883 the offices were relocated to the law courts complex in Lonsdale Street
Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Lonsdale Street is located in the centre of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, part of the Hoddle Grid, it runs roughly east-west. Lonsdale Street's eastern end intersects with Spring Street while its western end intersects with Spencer Street. It is home to multiple office buildings, courts,...
. In 1905, Flos Greig
Flos Greig
Grata Flos Matilda Greig , Australian lawyer, was the first woman to be admitted to practise as a barrister and solicitor in Australia.-Early life:...
became the first woman to be admitted to practise as a solicitor in Victoria, and shortly after, was the first female member of the Institute. In 1927, the first issue of the Law Institute Journal (LIJ) was published by the Institute. In 1933, the Institute became a constituent member of the newly formed Law Council of Australia
Law Council of Australia
The Law Council of Australia is an association of law societies and bar associations from the States and territories of Australia, and the peak body representing the legal profession in Australia. The Council was formed in 1933 to unite the various state legal associations, in order to represent...
.
In 1947, the Legal Profession Practice Act 1946, an act of the Parliament of Victoria
Parliament of Victoria
The Parliament of Victoria is the bicameral legislature of the Australian state of Victoria. It follows a Westminster-derived parliamentary system and consists of The Queen, represented by the Governor of Victoria; the Legislative Council ; and the Legislative Assembly...
, officially confirmed the Institute's role as the regulating body for the legal profession in Victoria. By 1948, almost all solicitors in Victoria had become members of the Institute. In 1961 the Institute relocated to premises in Little Bourke Street
Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Little Bourke Street in Melbourne's CBD runs roughly east–west within the Hoddle Grid. It is a one-way street heading in a westward direction...
, but after fire destroyed the building in 1978, the Institute moved to 470 Bourke Street
Bourke Street, Melbourne
Bourke Street is one of Melbourne's best known streets. Historically been regarded as Melbourne's "second street", with the main street being Collins Street and "busier than Bourke Street" is a popular catchphrase. Bourke Street has traditionally been Melbourne's entertainment hub...
, a site which previously hosted the first meeting of the Victorian Legislative Council
Victorian Legislative Council
The Victorian Legislative Council, is the upper of the two houses of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia; the lower house being the Legislative Assembly. Both houses sit in Parliament House in Spring Street, Melbourne. The Legislative Council serves as a house of review, in a similar fashion to...
on 13 November 1851.
In 1991, Gail Owen became the first female President of the Institute. Former Presidents of the Institute include Alfred Brooks Malleson, Arthur Palmer Blake, John Gavan Duffy
John Gavan Duffy
John Gavan Duffy was an Australian politician.Born in Dublin to Charles Gavan Duffy and Emily McLaughlin, he arrived with his family in Melbourne in August 1859, and after some time on his father's farm he was articled as a clerk to a solicitor...
(brother of Frank
Frank Gavan Duffy
Sir Frank Gavan Duffy, KCMG, PC, QC , Australian judge, was the fourth Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, sitting on the bench of the High Court from 1913 to 1935.-Early life:...
and son of Charles
Charles Gavan Duffy
Additional Reading*, Allen & Unwin, 1973.*John Mitchel, A Cause Too Many, Aidan Hegarty, Camlane Press.*Thomas Davis, The Thinker and Teacher, Arthur Griffith, M.H. Gill & Son 1922....
), Sir Arthur Robinson
Arthur Robinson (Australian politician)
Sir Arthur Robinson KCMG was an Australian politician.-Early life:Robinson was born at Carlton, Victoria, the son of journalist Anthony Bennett Robinson and Harriet, née Barton, the sister of Sir Edmund Barton. He attended Scotch College before studying law at the University of Melbourne...
, William Slater
Bill Slater (politician)
-Early life:Slater is believed to have been born in 1890. He was born to parents of Irish background. His father left his family when he was four years old. He and two siblings were brought up by his mother in Prahran. After briefly attending Armadale State School Slater left school early to sell...
, Bernard Teague
Bernard Teague
Bernard Teague, AO, was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria, in Australia, between 13 October 1987 and 15 February 2008. Justice Teague was the first solicitor to be appointed to the Supreme Court bench...
and John Cain II
John Cain II
John Cain , Australian Labor Party politician, was the 41st Premier of Victoria, holding office from 1982 to 1990.-Biography:...
.
In 1996, the Legal Profession Practice Act 1946 was replaced by the Legal Practice Act 1996. In 2005, the Legal Practice Act 1996 was repealed and replaced by the Legal Profession Act 2004
Legal Profession Act 2004
Legal Profession Act 2004 is a Legislative Act of the Australian Parliament which outlines the accreditation requirements for the legal profession in Australia....
, the current legislation regulating the legal profession in Victoria.
The most recent Chief Executive Officers of the Law Institute Victoria include: Ian Dunn, John Cain III and Michael Brett Young.