The old silk road

NSW bar attracts a big, fat list of silk contenders … Many women apply … Lots of names from last year … Smallbone principle takes effect … Full list of applicants 

THE NSW bar's selectors are now sifting their way through 117 barristers who are seeking the silk gown in the 2012 intake. 

It's a challenging job because, according to the silk protocol, those chosen are capable of providing "exceptional services as advocates and advisers". 

There seems to be an unfortunate implication that the rejects are not capable of providing outstanding service. Each year that creates heartache for unsuccessful applicants and unhappiness at the bar's selection process. 

There's a large number of female applicants this year - 33 in all, or over 28 percent of there total list. 

Among them are some who have been at the bar for 11 or 12 years; e.g. Natalie Adams from the Crown Advocates Chambers, Margaret Allars from 11 Wentworth and Vera Culkoff on 2 Selborne. 

There are also some old favourites who reappear with determined regularity. One third of this year's applicants (39) were also last year's list. 

Five on this year's list have not given the optional undertaking that they acknowledge the information collected about them from the consultation groups is subject to the national privacy principles. 

In other words, they reserve the right to see the responses, but not necessarily who made them. 

They are Brendan Docking, Patricia Lowson, Michael McAuley, Richard Perrignon and David Smallbone. 

This is the first full year when the effect of Smallbone v Bar Association takes effect. 

See: 2012 list of silk applicants 

Other related material ...

• The smell of burning silk 
• NSW senior counsel appointments for 2011  
• NSW senior counsel applicants for 2011
• NSW bar senior counsel protocol 
•  Smallbone v NSW Bar Association
• Greg Curtin's letter 
• Gyles report on silk selection
• Federal Court fee guide for senior and junior counsel