The Criminal Bar Association is extremely concerned by recent reporting concerning the circumstances in which suppression orders are made in this State. As the heads of the Victorian Court have pointed out, some of that reporting has been founded upon factually unfounded assertions. Our modern democracy is founded upon the principle that parliament makes laws, ...

The Criminal Bar Association endorses the statement of the Hon Chief Justice Richard Niall in respect to a recent report on media access to courts. The statement can be accessed on the Supreme Court website: https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/news/statement-from-the-chief-justice

The Criminal Bar Association warmly congratulates all those appointed to the Court of Appeal, County Court and Magistrates’ Court in December, in particular the following CBA members: County Court of VictoriaAnthony Lewis Magistrates’ Court of VictoriaZoe BroughtonZubin MenonSamantha SeoudEmily Allan

The Victorian Bar and the Criminal Bar Association have published the following statement in respect to the proposed amendments to youth sentencing laws. https://www.vicbar.com.au/Web/Contents/News/Media-Release/Response-to-proposed-youth-sentencing-laws.aspx?hkey=50afa54e-19e8-4335-b825-ae7734a2267c Watch Chris Carr SC on ABC’s 7.30, here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-13/will-victoria-s-adult-time-for-violent-crime-/106007370

The Victorian Bar and Criminal Bar Association of Victoria (CBA) are deeply concerned that the proposed changes to bail laws may adversely impact young people in a manner not to the long-term benefit of the community. Bail is an integral component of a fair and just criminal law system. The denial of bail does in ...

The CBA has released the following statement regarding the Justice Legislation Amendment (Committals) Bill 2024. This week, the Victorian Government introduced a Bill into Parliament that is designed to abolish committal hearings. The CBA strongly opposes these reforms and supports the retention of committal hearings and particularly having the ability to cross-examine witnesses. A committal ...

The CBA Committee and Members congratulate the Honourable Justice Kerri Judd on her appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria, effective 17 September 2024. We also congratulate Brendan Kissane KC, who has been appointed to replace Justice Judd as Director of Public Prosecutions and Diana Piekusis KC, on her appointment as Chief ...

The Victorian Bar, the Criminal Bar Association of Victoria and the Children’s Court Bar Association, are disappointed that the Victorian Government has abandoned its previous commitment to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 14 by 2027. In doing so it has resiled from its own carefully considered reform that was the ...

The Criminal Bar Association respectfully disagrees with the comments made by Mr Silbert KC. The CBA notes that First Nations Australians are over-represented in the criminal justice system.  Our members support the practice of expressing acknowledgement of country as an appropriate mark of respect for First Nations people. We recognise that First Nations people continue ...

The Criminal Bar Association is concerned by the decision of the Victorian Government not to implement proposed bail reforms for children. The changes previously proposed were intended to make bail laws fairer for children who are accused of committing criminal offences. In addition to failing to introduce previously forecast reforms, the government has now announced ...