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Defamation expert appointed to lead Victorian Bar
The Victorian Bar has named Dr Matt Collins QC as its new president, with an additional eight members elected to the 21-member council.
Melissa Coade
Leading media lawyer and legal academic Dr Matt Collins QC has taken the leadership reins of the Victorian Bar.
He is the author of The Law of Defamation and the Internet, published by Oxford University Press, which is the standard international text on the application of principles of defamation law to online publications.
Commenting on his new role, Dr Collins said that the Victorian Bar played an integral role by furthering the rule of law in the state. He also acknowledged the efforts of immediate past president Jennifer Batrouney QC.
“I would like to pay tribute to Jennifer Batrouney for her leadership, hard work and strong commitment to the members and ideals of the Bar, not only during the past year, but over many years of exemplary service,” Dr Collins said.
Ms Batrouney congratulated the newly elected council members and wished the group well in its endeavours safeguarding the rule of law in Victoria.
“It has been a privilege to lead the Bar and I am proud of our achievements and progress during the last 12 months. I am delighted to welcome our new president, Dr Matt Collins QC, and our new council members,” she said.
Dr Collins joined the bar in 1999 and took silk in 2011. He has previously served as counsel assisting the Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry. In the early ‘90s, Dr Collins worked at King & Wood Mallesons (then known as Mallesons Stephen Jaques) as well as a judge’s associate in the Federal Court of Australia.
“I am honoured to have been elected as president of the Victorian Bar – an independent college of specialist advocates which is proud of its heritage, but at the same time modern, accessible and committed to principles of equality and diversity,” Dr Collins said.
