Our history

The Commercial Bar Association of the Victorian Bar (CommBar) was established at a meeting of interested members of the Bar on 26 October 1994.

Since its formation, the following have held office as President of the Association:

• 1994 – 1997          Alan H Goldberg QC
  
• 1997 – 2001         Allan J Myers QC
  
• 2001 – 2005        David H Denton S.C.
  
• 2005 – to date     Peter Bick QC

In 2007 CommBar introduced membership by subscription to enable CommBar to provide a greater range of services and activities.

CommBar is managed by the Executive Committee.  CommBar currently has 13 Areas of Practice, being:

• Banking and Finance
  
• Construction
  
• Corporations and Securities
  
• Environmental, Planning and Local Government
  
• Equity
  
• Insolvency
  
• Insurance and Professional Negligence
  
• Intellectual Property and Trade Practices
  
• International Law
  
• Property and Probate
  
• Public Law
  
• Sports Law
  
• Superannuation
  

Each Area of Practice is managed by a Section Committee usually consisting of a Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary and Assistant Secretary.  The Areas of Practice organise seminars, discussion groups and other activities of interest to members and provide papers and case notes for publication in the CommBar Newsletter and on the website.  More than 60% of the barristers practising at the Victorian Bar have an interest in one or more areas of commercial law.

Further Areas of Practice will be added in the future when there is sufficient demand.

CommBar members have traditionally practised throughout Australia and, in many cases, overseas.  CommBar’s focus is not only Victoria and Australia, but the entire Asia Pacific Region.