Landmark agreement expands barristers' library

A landmark agreement between the Law Library of Victoria and the Victorian Bar is set to give Barristers significantly better access to subscriber-only online legal resources and library services.

From 1 July 2018, Barristers will be able to access three times the volume of top quality subscriber-only online resources, such as case law, commentary and databases, via computers in the new branch of the Law Library of Victoria: the Victorian Bar’s Richard Griffith Library (Level 1, Owen Dixon Chambers, 205 William Street, Melbourne).

Barristers can currently only access these quality resources during opening hours at the Supreme Court Library or via personal subscription. Further benefits include a qualified librarian available at the Richard Griffith Library during set times to help with research enquiries.

“What a triumph! This is such an important step towards realising the vision for the Law Library of Victoria. Warmest congratulations to all of those who have helped to make it happen.”

Acting Chief Justice Chris Maxwell

The Richard Griffith Library will formally become part of the Law Library of Victoria, giving members around-the-clock access to the same electronic research databases available in the Supreme Court Library and to the judiciary.

“This is a very exciting development for all barristers, but particularly junior barristers and barristers on lower incomes. It will be a significant factor for people when they are deciding whether to come to the Bar - they will know they don’t have to give up the level of research support they had at university or their former employer, and they will have access to more information than would ever be possible from a personal library.”

Dr Matthew Collins QC, President Victorian Bar

As well as tripling the number of top quality subscriber-only resources that will be available to Bar members, the agreement includes:

• improved availability of loose-leaf services and text books in the Richard Griffith Library and a budget for new acquisitions each year
• a qualified librarian on site at the Richard Griffith Library, at advertised times, to provide reference enquiry and research support to members, and
• training and information sessions for members.

Through computers in the Richard Griffith Library, the Law Library Online includes:

• CCH Intelliconnect - commentary
• HeinOnline – American and Australian legal articles
• ICLR – Law reports from England and Wales
• Lawlex – Australian legislation material
• LexisNexis AU – Judgments and commentary (including Casebase, Court Forms Precedents & Pleadings Victoria, Cross on Evidence, Halsbury’s Laws of Australia and many other services)
• Little William Bourke - Victorian Reports and Victorian Law Reports
• Timebase – Australian legislation material
• Westlaw Australia, UK and Next – Australian and international judgments and commentary (including FirstPoint, Australian Bankruptcy Law and Practice, The Laws of Australia and many other services)

The online resources are in addition to the quality hard copy resources that will continue to be available in the Richard Griffith Library.

For more information on this initiative, please contact the Law Library of Victoria Director, Ms Laurie Atkinson on 9603 6164 or email laurie.atkinson@supcourt.vic.gov.au