The Society's mission is to enhance the existing links between the legal professions of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom by providing an academic forum for discussion of issues of mutual interest and by hosting regular social events.
The AALS was established in 1998 as a non profit making unincorporated association with chapters in Sydney and London. The Melbourne Chapter was established in 2006. Our objectives are:
- to preserve and promote the existing good relations between members of the legal profession in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom
- to uphold the common law and principles of equity
- to preserve and enhance the rule of law in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom
- to promote the exchange of information and knowledge between members of the legal profession
- to provide social and academic functions for members
UK Chapter
Since its formation, the AALS UK Chapter has hosted a wide array of talks and panel sessions with distinguished speakers from law firms, the judiciary and in-house practitioners as well as hosting many enjoyable social functions for members such as the annual dinners, annual summer parties and wine tasting evenings.
Structure and governance
The AALS UK Chapter is an unincorporated association. The operations of the UK Chapter are co-ordinated by a committee. The office bearers and other members of the committee are:
| Chairmen (joint): | Ian Hunter QC (Essex Court Chambers) |
| Christopher Jackson (Partner, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP) | |
| Deputy chairman: | Anne Cruikshank (Managing Director and Counsel, Banque AIG) |
| Treasurer: | Rowan Russell (Partner, Mallesons Stephen Jaques) |
| Secretary: | Alison Morris (Minter Ellison) |
| Members: | Laurence Emmett (Barrister, One Essex Court) |
| Robert Hanley (Partner, Mallesons Stephen Jaques) | |
| Kavita Bassan (Mallesons Stephen Jaques) | |
| Kelly Tinkler (Partner, Rooks Rider) | |
| James Warren (Partner, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP) |
The UK Chapter will be updating its rules of association soon. Click here to see the proposed rules.
To find out more about the AALS UK Chapter and how you can get involved, please contact us.
Australian Chapter
The Anglo-Australasian Lawyers Society (Australian Chapter) Inc (ABN 90 448 300 248) is incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act, 1984 (NSW). The office bearers and other members of the Australian committee are:
| President: | Michael Sexton SC (NSW Solicitor-General) |
| Vice-Presidents: | Josephine Kelly (Senior Member, Administrative Appeals Tribunal) |
| Maurice Neil, RFD QC (Barrister, Wardwell Chambers) | |
| Hon. Treasurer/ Hon. Secretary: | Justin Young (Barrister, St James Hall) |
| Members: | Pip Barnes (Solicitor) |
| James Creer (Arbitrator/Mediator) | |
| Rodney M Garratt QC (Barrister, Owen Dixon Chambers) | |
| Richard Hughes (Solicitor, Hughes & Co.) | |
| Dale Kemp (Federal Magistrate, Federal Magistrates Court) | |
| Peter Lange (Barrister, Inns of Court Chambers) | |
| John Lanser (Solicitor, Commonwealth Bank Legal) | |
| Jonathan Pagan (Barrister, Allens Arthur Robinson) | |
| Executive Officer: | Christina Bunbury |
| Victorian Branch Chairman ex-officio: | Rodney M Garratt QC (Barrister, Owen Dixon Chambers) |
| Victorian Hon. Secretary: | Paul Hayes (Barrister, Owen Dixon Chambers) |