About Us

Counsel’s Chambers Limited was incorporated in 1952, to provide accommodation to members of the NSW Bar. The Company owns Wentworth & Selborne Chambers, Lockhart Chambers, and four floors in Windeyer Chambers with over 500 Barristers and the New South Wales Bar Association occupying space in the buildings.

In addition to providing accommodation, the Company also provides Alternative Dispute Resolution facilities and is a service provider of information and communication technology utilising on site network facilities.

 

 

Company History

Counsel's Chambers Limited ("CCL") was incorporated by the NSW Bar Association on 24 October 1952.

Until June 1980, CCL and the Bar Association shared offices and staff. By 1980 the bar had grown significantly and as CCL membership represented only about 60% of the bar, it was decided that CCL should be administered independently. New offices for CCL were built adjacent to the Bar Association's offices on the Lower Ground Floor of Selborne Chambers. In December 1992 CCL relocated its offices to the 1st Floor, Selborne Chambers.

Wentworth Chambers:
Wentworth Chambers was officially opened on 20 August 1957, the building was named after William Charles Wentworth (1790 - 1872), statesman and a founder of the New South Wales Bar who powerfully influenced the local attainment of the Jury Trial and Constitutional Reforms. His initiatives, forceful advocacy and integrity gave definition, direction and vision to the infant bar.

Selborne Chambers:
Selborne Chambers was occupied from October 1963 and stands on the site of a building erected in 1883 and then named “Selborne Chambers” in honour of Roundell Palmer, 1st Earl of Selborne who as Lord Chancellor (1872 - 74; 1880 - 85) sponsored the English judicature act reforms.

Lockhart Chambers:
On 1 December 2008, Lockhart Chambers was named in honour of The Hon. John Stanley Lockhart AO QC to commemorate his outstanding contribution to the legal profession and to the wider community. He practised at the NSW Bar from 1960 - 1978, during which time served on Bar Council and as a director of Counsel's Chambers Limited. He served as a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia from 1978 - 1999. He was an executive director of the Asian Development Bank in the Philippines and a member of the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, and he chaired high level committees including the embryo research and stem cell review in 2005.

Windeyer Chambers:
Windeyer Chambers were so named to commemorate the long association of the Windeyer family with the NSW Bench and Bar.

The commemorative plaque at the entrance to Windeyer Chambers was unveiled by the RT Hon. Sir W.J.V Windeyer P.C, K.B.E., C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., E.D. on 15TH June 1984

To read more view the 50th Anniversary of Wentworth Chambers commemorative booklet.

WHS Management System

CCL recognises the importance of health and safety in the workplace, not only for CCL Staff, but for Members, Clerks, Staff and visitors to the buildings. CCL is proactive in its approach to eliminating or reducing risk through consultation, effective management systems and policies that deal with all aspects of Workplace Health and Safety.

A copy of CCL’s: a) WHS Policy; and, b) Incident Reporting Policy; are available on this page.

Please report all problems related to safety to CCL immediately on +61 2 9231 3644.