History
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ABOUT 5 WENTWORTH
5 Wentworth is a leading set of barristers chambers in Sydney. It is known for its collegiality and the range and depth of its members’ practices.
It was founded by Sir Garfield Barwick in 1932, and is the longest established chambers in Sydney.
Today, 5 Wentworth has particular strength in banking and finance, commercial, corporations, defamation, employment, intellectual property, media, public and securities law.
The chambers comprise 10 senior, and 23 junior counsel.
HISTORY
5 Wentworth has its origin in Fifth Floor Chalfont Chambers.
Established in 1932, led by Sir Garfield Barwick and Sir Cyril Walsh, and clerked by Edgar Marks, the chambers was a close-knit group that became an institution on Phillip Street.
It was Sir Garfield who promoted the foundation of Wentworth and Selborne Chambers as a permanent home for the New South Wales Bar. When he and his colleagues moved to Fifth Floor Wentworth Chambers in 1957, they were the first group of barristers to do so.
5 Wentworth has maintained the same traditions of collegiality and excellence with the chambers began almost 80 years ago.
NOTABLE ALUMNI
HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA
Sir Garfield Barwick AK GCMG QC
Sir Cyril Walsh PC KBE
FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
The Hon Justice Stephen Burley
The Hon Ronald Sackville QC
The Hon Justice Annabelle Bennett AO
The Hon Michael L Foster
The Hon Douglas McGregor
FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA
The Hon Justice John Cohen
The Hon Justice Stephen O’Ryan
The Hon Justice Margaret Cleary
The Hon Justice Peter Moss
COMMONWEALTH SOLICITOR-GENERAL
David Bennett AC QC
NSW COURT OF APPEAL
The Hon Justice Anthony Whealy
The Hon Justice Michael L Foster
NSW SUPREME COURT
The Hon Justice Peter Johnson
The Hon Justice Michael W Campbell
The Hon Justice Michael M Helsham
The Hon Justice Hugh Maguire KC (ACT Supreme Court and the Federal Court)
DUST DISEASES TRIBUNAL
The Hon Judge John O’Meally (President)
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS
Lloyd Babb SC
NSW DISTRICT COURT
His Honour Judge Richard Cogswell S.C.
Judge Brian Knox SC
Judge Alistair Cameron Smith
Judge William H Knight
OTHER APPOINTMENTS INCLUDE:
John McCarthy QC appointed as the Australian Ambassador to the Holy See 2012 to 2016.