Congratulations to the pupils of Bar Practice Course 83.
Following an intensive six-week program 44 pupils successfully completed the Bar Practice Course prepared to take the next step in their legal careers.
The Association conveys its sincere gratitude to the Bar Practice Course Committee, the judiciary, members of the Bar and the Bar Association of Queensland for their unwavering commitment to the success of this program.
The Association extends its best wishes to each of them as they move forward and pursue their professional aspirations.
- Aaron Clark
- Aaron Wilson
- Alex Tate
- Anthony Angeli
- Anthony Hall
- Benjamin Campbell
- Bianca Fernandez
- Cassandra Oswald
- Christina Fresta
- Ciara Furlong
- Claire Bruggemann
- Courtney Langusch
- Dayle Buckley
- DJ Alexander
- Georgia Taylor
- Halligan Quin
- Harriet Malcomson
- Harrison Smith
- Harry McDonald
- Isaac Buckley
- Isaac Douglas
- Jacob Alcorn
- James Lord
- Jayden Peters
- Jenna Du Preez
- Jonathan Hohl
- Jordan James
- Josh McDiarmid
- Laura Moore
- Liam Inglis
- Lois Bullen
- Louise Nixon
- Madeleine Vlasich
- Michael Angeli
- Nicholas Pratt
- Nick Scott
- Odette Wilson
- Rebekah Oldfield
- Rhianna Williams
- Roddy Mesa
- Samantha Mosoro
- Sarah Doblo
- Tristan Smith
- Yusuf Furgan
Bar Practice Course 83
By Tristan Smith, North Quarter Lane Chambers
“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Winston Churchill, 10 November 1942.
On 24 March 2025, 44 aspiring barristers gathered inside Courtroom 8 of the Federal Court to commence Bar Practice Course 83.
Spirits were high as we settled in for the next six weeks. The mix of pupils was diverse and fitting for the largest cohort in the course’s history, since the commencement of the exams in 2012. No sooner had we sat down, Gail asked each of us to stand up and introduce ourselves in front of a packed room. No better way to conquer a fear of public speaking than by getting us all on our feet early and frequently. That would come to be a defining theme of the course.
Week 1 was filled with essential lectures on court procedure, etiquette, pleadings, openings, closings and advice writing. We made our First Appearances early that week and Thursday and Friday culminated in a two day workshop on leading evidence facilitated by the Hon Hugh Fraser KC and many experienced barristers. For those wondering, yes, the scenario was still the one about pineapples.
Week 2 saw us in the Magistrates Court presenting a mock sentencing plea for a client guilty of assault, with many pupils appearing before real Magistrates. The criminal specialists were in their element. The rest of us found it a rather humbling experience.
The week was packed with seminars and practical exercises, ranging from the theory of argument, proofing witnesses, preparing for trials, writing persuasive submissions, advices on evidence and the infamous quantum workshop (a big step outside the comfort zone for many pupils, including a few civil ones).
As Gail reminded us, we were starting to acclimatise. In reality, we had not yet passed Base Camp. The mountain still lay ahead, including the perilous crevasse that was to be Mock 4 in the Federal Circuit and Family Court.
Weeks 3 and 4 were gruelling. By this time, many had been working 7 days a week to keep on top of the readings, seminar questions and mock hearings. These two weeks served up Mock 3 (Criminal Trial) and Mock 4 (Family Interim Hearing) as well as lectures on evidence, practice and procedure and mediation/negotiation.
Mock 4 was a breeze for the three pupils practising in family law. For the rest of us mere mortals, it instilled great fear. Not only was it in an area of law many of us had never encountered, but the hearing was to be presided over by Family Law Judges and Senior Judicial Registrars and was to be recorded. Excellent!
As it happens, we all passed with flying colours and there was nothing to worry about. Much of that success was due to the family law pupils presenting a workshop on parenting and property matters a few days before. That sort of collegiality was a feature throughout the course. Speaking of collegiality, obligatory drinking games were established early, and that term unsurprisingly earned a shot (other favourites included “preparation, preparation, preparation”, “chronology”, “case theory” and “cross examination is best done as a commando raid, not a prolonged military occupation”).
The Easter long weekend could not come soon enough. Consistent with the frenetic pace of the course, no one had much spare time that weekend. There were outlines due Easter Sunday for Mock 5 (Civil Application), and many of us had to then draft a statement of claim for Mock 6 (Civil Trial) due first thing Monday.
Week 5 gave us some time back to prepare for our final two mock hearings and the upcoming Advocacy Intensive Weekend. We reviewed our video performances from Mock 4 and collectively cringed as we saw the real versions of ourselves in HD resolution. Jane Fitzgerald was very kind in her assessments and helped us all improve our advocacy.
At the end of Week 5, we had made it to Camp 4, and were about to embark on the final ascent to the summit. The Hillary Step came in the form of the Advocacy Intensive Weekend, firmly entrenched within the death zone at 29,000 feet.
We were battered, bruised, exhausted and running on fumes by this point. However, that weekend gave us all the chance to put our skills into practice, all with real time feedback and informative addresses from his Honour Judge Jackson KC and the Hon Justice Kelly. We cannot thank the judges, barristers and volunteer witnesses enough for that weekend.
Finally, after countless coffees, and several moments of self-doubt asking why we ever thought we could make it as barristers, the final push to the summit was in the form of Mock 6. A gnarly set of facts to do with a contested property sale, plenty of scope for witnesses to go rogue, and legal principles ranging from breach of contract to relief against forfeiture all made for an absorbing final hearing.
There was a collective sense of achievement once it was all over. Friendships formed during the course were strengthened over several drinks that evening.
The satisfaction of receiving our certificates of completion at a ceremony attended by distinguished guests the following night was an experience none of us will forget.
On behalf of BPC 83, I would like to thank all the judges, barristers, witnesses and contributors along with Gail Cowen and Ethan McNally that made this course a terrific success.
