LIV History

1859

• 22nd of March. 26 solicitors meet and found the Law Institute of Victoria
• First offices located at 62-63 Temple court, Collins St, Melbourne. Rent was 100 pounds a year.

1859 - 1860

• David Ogilvy, first President of the Law Institute of Victoria
• First Office Bearers consisted of the President, two Vice-Presidents, Honorary Treasurer, an Honorary Secretary and seven committee members.

1883

• The Law Institute of Victoria relocates to the Law Courts

1903 - (1918)

• Sir Arthur Robinson appointed Honorary Secretary (CEO)

1905

• Miss Flos Greig becomes the first woman to be admitted to practise in Victoria

1919 - (1947)

• J H S Campbell appointed Paid Secretary(CEO)

1924

• Law Institute House opens, Cnr Little Collins and McKillop St

1927

• Law Institute Journal first published

1931

• Legal Women's Association established

1933

• The Law Council of Australia is formed by the state Law Societies

1946

• The Legal Profession Practice Act introduced in Parliament
• The Law Institute of Victoria supports the introduction of church services to mark the opening of the legal year.

1947

• The Legal Profession Practice Act 1946 bestowed the right and obligation to regulate the conduct of all Victorian solicitors on the Law Institute of Victoria.
• Law Institute of Victoria premises house a Law Library and serves as a meeting place for lawyers.
• The Law Institute has nine sub-committees

1947 - (1975)

• Arthur H B Heymanson appointed Paid Secretary (CEO)

1948

• Practising Certificates introduced
• Almost all solicitors are now members of the LIV

1949

• The Law Institute and Victorian Bar establish the first Legal Aid Scheme in Victoria

1959

• The Law Institute of Victoria's Centenary year
• Law Institute of Victoria Council has 27 members and grows to 35

1961

• The Law Institute of Victoria relocates to 465 Little Bourke St

1972

• The Law Institute of Victoria is the first law society to lobby the federal government for no-fault divorce to be introduced.

1975 - (1986)

• Judge Gordon Lewis appointed Executive Director (CEO)

1978

• On the 22nd of June fire destroyed the Law Institute of Victoria building at 465 Lt Bourke St. Staff escaped the fire without loss of life. Arson was the cause of the fire but no one was ever charged.

1979

• The Law Institute of Victoria moves to its current location at 470 Bourke St

1985

• Australia's first self-insured personal indemnity scheme for lawyers comes into operation.

1987 - (1995)

• Mr Robert J A Cornall appointed Executive Director (CEO)

1991

• Gail Owen becomes the first female President of the Law Institute of Victoria

1996 - (2002)

• The Legal Practice Act 1996 replaces the Legal Profession Practice Act 1946
• Legal Ombudsman introduced
• Ian M Dunn appointed CEO

1997

• Law Institute of Victoria Council is reduced to 18 members

2002

• John Cain Jnr appointed CEO

2004

• Bourke St premises undergo major renovations.

2005

• The Legal Practice Act 1996 is replaced by the Legal Profession Act 2004.
• The Legal Services Board and Legal Services Commissioner replace the Legal Practice Board and the Legal Ombudsman for matters relating to the regulation of the profession.
• 12 December 2005, Victoria Marles took up her position as CEO, Legal Services Board and Legal Services Commissioner.

2006

• Michael Brett Young appointed CEO

2009

• The Law Institute of Victoria celebrates 150 years