Barristers, Solicitors and Conveyancers

BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS

OVERVIEW

Prior to 1891 people were admitted to practice either as barristers or as attorneys, solicitors and proctors. In 1891 every person admitted by the Supreme Court would be admitted both as a barrister and solicitor. The registration of legal practitioners did not begin until 1996.

Barristers and solicitors may have trained at a university. See Universities.

Barristers and solicitors are employed in the public service. See Public Servants.

Also see Business Records.

Also see Courts.

REGISTRATION, FILES AND ROLLS

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - ROLL OF BARRISTERS 1841-1932

This has been digitized.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/B3E75BDA-F840-11E9-AE98-313A386915A7?image=1

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - ROLL OF BARRISTERS 1841-1932

This is indexed through the catalogue.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE VICTORIA - BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR ADMISSION FILES 1988-1995

This is indexed through the catalogue.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/

Public Record Office Victoria also has the following:

• roll of attorneys 1841-1891 (VPRS 16237)
• register of articles of clerkship 1843-1989 (VPRS 5504)
• articles of clerkship files 1840-1985 (VPRS 79)
• reports of examiners for admission of attorneys 1841-1871
• index to barrister admission files 1857-1891 (VPRS 1355)
• index to barrister and solicitor admission files 1892-1990 (VPRS 1357)
• barrister and solicitor admission files 1892-1990 (VPRS 468)
• barrister and solicitor admission files 1990-1995 (VPRS 17376)
• roll of attorneys, County Court, Melbourne 1847-1931 (VPRS 16315)
• roll of attorneys, Wangaratta Courts 1871-1878 (VPRS 1512 P0)
• roll of attorneys, Inglewood Courts 1869-1912 (VPRS 1611)
• index to warrants of attorney 1850-1858 (VPRS 5392)

These are not online.

Bendigo Regional Archives Centre has the following:

• roll of attorneys, Echuca Courts c1870-1936 (VPRS 17056)

This is not online.

VICTORIAN LEGAL SERVICES BOARD AND COMMISSIONER - REGISTER OF LEGAL PRACTITIONERS AND LAW PRACTICES

At present in order to practise barristers and solicitors need to be registered.

http://lsbc.vic.gov.au/?page_id=283

AUSTRALASIAN LEGAL INFORMATION INSTITUTE - VICTORIAN LEGAL PROFESSION TRIBUNAL HEARINGS 1997-2005

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/vic/

AUSTRALASIAN LEGAL INFORMATION INSTITUTE - VICTORIAN LEGAL SERVICES COMMISSIONER HEARINGS 2016-PRESENT

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/vic/

STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA - FINDING YOUR ANCESTORS' OCCUPATIONS: LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

This lists resources held by the state library relating to legal practitioners.

https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/c.php?g=435343&p=6914479

JOURNAL

AUSTRALASIAN LEGAL INFORMATION INSTITUTE - THE VICTORIAN LAW TIMES AND LEGAL OBSERVER 1856 -1857

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/vic/

RECORDS

FAMILYSEARCH - HIGGINS COLLECTION SOLICITORS' RECORDS 1851-1903

The Higgins collection consists of the papers of a legal firm situated in Geelong. Three series, the probate, land and crime records, have been filmed. Original records housed at the Geelong Historical Records Centre.

https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/456248?availability=Family%20History%20Library

CONVEYANCERS

From 1847 in the colony of New South Wales conveyancers applied to the Supreme Court to be certified; Victoria was the Port Phillip District of the colony of New South Wales until 1851.

Also see Business Records.

Public Record Office Victoria has the following:

• roll of attorneys 1841-1891 (VPRS 16237)

This may include certified conveyancers. This is not online.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS VICTORIA - PUBLIC REGISTER OF CONVEYANCERS

At present in order to practise conveyancers need to be licensed.

https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/licensing-and-registration/conveyancers/public-register