Article
Opening of Ninian Stephen Chambers
On Friday 26th August 2011, Ninian Stephen Chambers, was officially opened. Approximately 100 people, including Sir Ninian Stephen and his family, were present to celebrate the event. Neil Young QC, a former reader of Sir Ninian Stephen, was invited by the Chairman of BCL, Mark Derham QC, to speak at this significant occasion. Neil thanked those involved in the project, in particular BCL, the architects, Gray Puksand, and the builders, IRM Interiors. He also noted that he started work on the establishment of the chambers in 2008 and was relieved when BCL took over the project. Neil also welcomed Sir Ninian and Lady Stephen and reflected on Sir Ninian's remarkable career. He noted that he was a member of this Bar from 1952, took silk in 1966. He became a judge of the Victorian Supreme Court in 1970. In 1972, he was appointed as a Justice of the High Court of Australia. He relinquished judicial office to become Governor-General in 1982 and held that position until 1989. Thereafter, he held numerous high public positions, including that of Judge of the International War Crimes Tribunal in relation to the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. He then invited Sir Ninian to speak and Sir Ninian reflected on the changes in the Bar and, in particular, chambers. He noted that chambers were more spartan when he was at the Bar and the choice of chambers limited. The "lavish" Ninian Stephen Chambers were vastly more comfortable than anything available at that time. Mark Moshinsky SC, Chairman of the Bar Council, thanked Sir Ninian on behalf of those in Ninian Stephen Chambers and on behalf of the Bar Council. The Essoign Club did an excellent job catering for the evening.
