Objectives of the Working Party

1. Further develop & implement the Indigenous Barristers’ Strategy approved by the Bar Council.
2. Devise & implement fund raising strategies for the Indigenous Barristers’ Trust.
3. Liaise with the Equal Opportunity Committee on issues involving Indigenous barristers.
4. Create further employment opportunities at the NSW Bar for Indigenous law students.
5. Liaise with other agencies to create further employment opportunities for recent Indigenous law graduates to work as solicitors, judges’ associates and in other appropriate areas of legal work.


View a video about the Indigenous Barristers' Trust

A promotional video, which explains the history and role of the trust fund may be downloaded in formats which use the following media players (which may be downloaded free of charge):


Indigenous Barristers' Trust: The Mum Shirl Fund

A special trust fund was established in 2002 to create a pool of funds to provide financial assistance to Indigenous barristers, especially in their first few years of practice and to Indigenous law students. The fund has deductible gift recipient status as a public benevolent institution under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth). Members of the association continue to make generous donations to the trust so it can meet the needs of Indigenous law students, graduates and barristers.

News and information

Mentoring Indigenous Law Students

We are currently seeking mentors for the Mentoring Indigenous Law Students Program. The purpose is to provide opportunities for barristers to share their wealth of professional and life experiences with Indigenous law students. Register now >> | Come to our launch evening on 12 March>>


National Indigenous Legal Conference

The National Indigenous Legal Conference brings together lawyers, judges, service providers, community elders and other stakeholders. Learn More >>

Donating to the trust

Use your credit card to make a donation. All major cards accepted. Alternatively, you may arrange to have regular payments debited from your bank account.The Indigenous Barristers' Trust - The Mum Shirl Fund is an eligible deductible gift recipient. Learn More >>


Fundraisers

On Wednesday, 13 April 2005 a cocktail party to raise funds for the Indigenous Barristers Trust (The Mum Shirl Fund) was held at Sydney's Sky Phoenix restaurant. Learn More >>


University visits

Members of the Indigenous Barristers Trust Strategy Working Party visit Universities throughout NSW to discuss career options at the Bar and the assistance provided by the working party and the NSW Bar.


Part-time employment opportunities for Indigenous law students

As part of our Indigenous Barristers Strategy, all barristers, clerks and chambers are encouraged to identify part-time employment opportunities for Indigenous law students. Learn More >>