Hemmant’s List provides a single point of contact to identify the right barrister for the client’s needs, from a diverse list of counsel, based on experience, expertise and cost.
Lists for barristers have been operated by clerks in Victoria for more than 150 years. The model however has changed over the years such that they, and particularly Hemmant’s List, are modern versions suitably adapted for the times.
The Clerk develops a profile of each barrister detailing his or her qualifications, experience, practice areas and interests and fees. The Clerk uses software to search the List’s database and barristers’ diaries to identify by his or her practice areas, availability and fees, which barrister is most suitable for any particular brief. The Clerk can also identify for solicitors and clients a range of options of suitable barristers and make recommendations if requested.
Does the Clerk have to be contacted to brief a barrister on Hemmant’s List?
No.
Barristers are able to be briefed by arrangements made with the barrister or the barrister’s secretary as has always been done in Queensland.
If two or more Counsel are to be briefed together, do they all have to be from Hemmant’s List?
No.
Whilst the List aims to meet the needs and preferences of solicitors and clients with respect to all Counsel to be briefed on any particular matter, there is no obligation when briefing one List barrister, whether he or she is a Queen’s Counsel or Junior barrister, to brief another List barrister.
The List’s Code
- The Clerks will recommend, when asked, a barrister or barristers suitable for the brief having regard to their skills, experience, fees and availability.
- The Clerks promote equitable briefing.
- The Clerks are familiar with each barrister on the List in terms of the barrister’s professional qualifications, experience, fees and relevant attributes as a barrister and has reasonable ability to establish the barrister’s availability to undertake any particular brief.
Inhouse and Government Counsel
Barristers can be briefed by direct access briefs by inhouse counsel whether in the private or public sector.
Direct briefs may be suitable for certain pre-litigation advice, in some mediations and for less complex court appearances. In other matters the services of external solicitors working with counsel are critical. The Clerks and the barristers on the List have detailed knowledge of solicitors who would be suitable for each particular matter and can make appropriate recommendations.