The motto of the New South Wales Bar Association is 'Servants of all yet of none'. It underlines the independence of the barrister inherent in practice as a sole practitioner. In its internal contradiction it conveys the complexity of the role the barrister must discharge in balancing the various duties owed to the court, the client and the community at large to ensure the integrity of the administration of justice.

The decision to become a barrister is a brave one. That brave decision is vindicated by success. Such success is only achieved if the barrister embarks upon his or her career with a sound knowledge of the ethics of the law and its practical application.

One of the most important duties the Bar Association discharges is to seek, through the Reading Programme, to ensure that each new barrister is trained in ethics and the practical application of law. The Bar exams which precede the reading period, and the Bar Practice Course, which begins it, are just the start of a programme that continues, following completion of the course, with the reader's relationship with the tutor.

The Bar Practice Course does not seek to instruct the new barrister in matters of pure legal principle. It assumes that new barristers come to the Bar with a thorough training in the principles of law. Being a good barrister, however, is more than knowing the law. It is essential to understand how to make the law work in practice. That is the purpose of the Reading Programme.

Some new barristers have had considerable advocacy experience. Some have had little or none. The Bar Practice Course is a great equaliser. Even the most experienced new barrister admits that the course enhanced their knowledge of the art of advocacy.

Members of the Bar and the judiciary lecture in the Bar Practice Course. Their experience is immense. Their insights, both on matters of law and its practical application, are invaluable. The Bar is indebted to all those who give so much of their valuable time to assist as lecturers and advocacy instructors in the course.

Michael Slattery QC
President