Barristers’ Chambers Limited (BCL) was incorporated in December and purchased land at 205 William Street in the same month.

Owen Dixon Chambers East was built and officially opened by Sir Robert Menzies on 16 October 1961 in the presence of the Premier and Sir Owen Dixon.

The whole of the accommodation provided by BCL for barristers was fully occupied, with 300 occupants in Owen Dixon Chambers, 35 in Tait Chambers, 35 in the Hooker building and more in Equity Chambers.

In the same year, the BCL’s Board adopted a policy of members subscribing for debentures in BCL.

Now accommodating 504 barristers, BCL took up 2 further floors in Four Courts and a large section of a further floor in Equity Chambers. BCL also took one floor in the new National Bank building in Bourke Street, which provided chambers for 40 additional barristers.

With the approval of the Bar, BCL purchased the Lonsdale Street building immediately across Guests Lane from Owen Dixon Chambers, then occupied by the ABC.

BCL commenced the demolition of the ABC building to make way for a new building to house the Bar. In the same year, members of the Bar voted to retain the rule requiring counsel to take chambers with BCL.

Owen Dixon Chambers West opened at 525 Lonsdale Street.

BCL purchased Four Courts Chambers at 180 William Street and began refurbishing it as the new Douglas Menzies Chambers, which was opened in 1996. Isaacs Chambers was established at 555 Lonsdale Street.

The Bar and BCL established the ‘Vicbar’ internet network for members.

Joan Rosanove Chambers was established.

BCL purchased Owen Dixon Chambers West for $54m plus GST.

Gorman Chambers were established.

Coldrey Chambers and Ninian Stephen Chambers were established.

The green ratings of both Owen Dixon Chambers West and Douglas Menzies Chambers were improved through refurbishments, which also added capacity to accommodate new occupants.

A refurbishment project, commenced in 2012 at Owen Dixon Chambers West, continued with an extension commenced adding 82 new chambers on 6 new floors. Owen Dixon Chambers West also received a high-rise lift upgrade.

Construction on the eight new floors at Aickin Chambers and Castan Chambers commenced.

Eight new floors at Aickin Chambers and Castan Chambers opened.

New entrance and Peter O’Callaghan QC Gallery unveiled at Owen Dixon Chambers East.

Two new floors at Castan Chambers announced.

Major bathroom upgrade across 17 floors at Owen Dixon Chambers West.

First COVID-19 lockdown and work from home orders introduced in April. BCL implements COVIDSafe measures and creates Staying COVIDSafe webpage.

Remote technology solutions and internet support guides provided for barristers working remotely (Rainbow, Zoom, Webex, Teams for remote trials).

BCL introduces rent relief policy in line with government COVID-19 regulations.

Microsoft office 365 conversion of @vicbar emails.

Improved cyber security solutions and numerous WiFi upgrades

Two new state of the art floors completed at Castan Chambers, home to 66 barristers in 55 chambers welcoming Crockett Chambers.

Over 11 new video conferencing rooms created across BCL buildings.

WiFi upgrades and onboarding of 2 clerks’ offices to BCL technology and network services.

Floor refurbishments on levels 21 and 31 at Aickin Chambers, marking the completion of the Aickin Renewal programme.

Telephone system upgrade.

New Cloud data backup.

Intellectual Property group Emmerson Chambers joins level 18, 200 Queen Street (Aickin Chambers).

Levels 8 & 9 Isaacs Chambers relocated within BCL buildings.

Floor refurbishments and improvements made at Douglas Menzies Chambers

12 floors at Owen Dixon Chambers East upgraded.

Air filtration systems upgraded in Owen Dixon Chambers East, Owen Dixon Chambers West and Douglas Menzies Chambers.

LED Lighting upgrade completed in Owen Dixon Chambers East, Owen Dixon Chambers West and Douglas Menzies Chambers.

Levels 11 and 14 (formerly Opus Workspaces) converted to chambers and made available to barristers.