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Many barristers have further qualifications in a variety of ADR processes, where they act as an independent third person to help people resolve their disputes. ADR processes do not include judicial determinations such as decisions made by a court or tribunal, rather dispute management identifies where disputes are and aims to manage them early and effectively.

Appellate jurisdiction is the power of a higher court to review decisions and change outcomes of decisions of lower courts. Most appellate jurisdiction is legislatively created, and may consist of appeals by leave of the appellate court or by right.

Commercial practice covers disputes and advice work arising out of all industry sectors and professions.  While there are many specific practice areas, many of which are listed above, the reality is that those who practise in the Commercial law field cover all areas of commercial, business and professional endeavours from advice on issues to all stages of disputes.

Covering actions in negligence such as public liability and professional negligence claims, as well as compensation claims made under a variety of statutory schemes such as the Accident Compensation Act, Comcare, TAC and all related judicial review proceedings.

Barristers appear in a wide range of matters from summary to indictable offences, at both state and federal level, as well as related actions including specialist youth court work, white collar crime, OH&S and mental illness issues.

The law of defamation covers actions seeking redress for causing harm to a person’s reputation by publishing material about them that changes the way people feel about them. Publishing includes speaking, writing, drawing, photographing or blogging.

Barristers work across the varied sectors of the energy industry including electricity, renewables, mining, oil, gas and nuclear fuels. They provide advice to and appear on behalf of oil exploration and refining companies, contractors, governments and regulators and commodity traders as well as their financiers and insurers/reinsurers.  Disputes can include matters such as grants of mining leases, administrative review of decisions relating to mining leases, related compensation applications and land-use and resources conflicts.

This area of practice covers local, state and federal law relating to the environment and natural resources with a focus on state and local authority regulation and enforcement in relation to planning.

The law of equity ensures that all claims are considered in relation to principles of fairness and conscience.  This is mostly of issue in relation to property, trusts and wills and estate matters.

Barristers practise in relation to laws (both federal and state) which relate to or concern family relationships, including issues of taxation, property, parenting and family violence.  Practitioners also specialise in guardianship/capacity matters and powers of attorney.

Local government operates as the third tier of government and regulation within Australia and has an impact on all Victorians.  Barristers advise local councils, businesses and individuals on matters such as public health, the management of council property, firearms matters, environment and amenity.  Barristers appear regularly in local laws matters such as noise, burning off,  food and animal prosecution matters.

Barristers appear across a range of employment and industrial matters involving both transactional and litigious work arising from employment relationships, advice on the relevant law and procedures, and resolving disputes about employment and industrial relations matters through the court system or by using alternative dispute resolution processes.

An inquest and inquiries are unlike other court cases. They are an inquisitorial process rather than adversarial, not a trial, but an inquiry that seeks to find out why something occurred.  Barristers appear on behalf of various parties who are directly involved in or affected by the nature of the inquiry or inquest.

Intellectual property refers to the intangible rights you may have in relation to new ideas or creative applications. It covers patents, trade marks, design, branding and copyright.

International law is a collection of rules and principles and practices with respect to international actors—primarily sovereign states but also increasingly international organizations and some individuals. The range of subjects and actors directly concerned with international law has widened considerably, moving beyond the traditional questions of war, peace, and diplomacy to include human rights, economic and trade issues, space law, and international organizations.

Barristers appear in the Magistrates Court for both applicants and respondents in personal safety and family violence intervention orders, which are orders made by a magistrate to protect a person from physical or mental harm, including assault, harassment, property damage, serious threats or stalking done by a third party, sometimes a family member. The order has rules or conditions about how the respondent can behave towards the affected person. 

Barristers act for people who make a claim for compensation if they have suffered physical, psychological or financial harm as a result of negligent medical treatment. Greens List barristers also work on behalf of insurers and directly with doctors and other health professionals defending them in medical negligence and professional negligence cases and regulatory and disciplinary proceedings.

The major focus of Australian property law is real property, or land.  Barristers are well placed to advise on all aspects of property law matters, including those instruments relating to property such as transfers and sales, mortgages, covenants, caveats, leases and easements.

Barristers practise in areas relating to actions taken by administrative agencies of government. They deal with claims or issues arising from actions such as government agency/department rulemaking, adjudication, or the enforcement of a specific regulatory agenda. Administrative law is considered a branch of public law and covers the actions of local, State and Commonwealth government.

Barristers provide advice and appear in claims governed by the Workplace Injury, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (2013). The Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA) acts as the governing body, it does not process workcover claims. The VWA allocates work to its authorised insurers.

Covering state and federal taxation issues, providing advice as well as litigation strategy and proceedings.

The technology, media and telecommunications sector is an always changing landscape. Barristers are well placed to advise on and appear for clients across all areas, including government and regulatory authorities. They work on behalf of Internet start-ups, in sale and purchase of technology businesses, for software and hardware (including new media devices) suppliers, IT services, offshoring and outsourcing suppliers,  telecommunications carriers, resellers, ISPs, equipment vendors and corporate users.

Barristers provide advice on all aspects of wills and estates work, including ensuring legal compliance of wills and that beneficiaries are provided for.  They can advise on testamentary trusts; contesting a will and how to prevent or reduce this occurring; avoiding ambiguity in a will; whether you can claim from an estate and the likelihood of success, advise on the role of administrator or where there is no executor; advise executors on their obligations as well as provide ancillary services relating to advice on and preparation of powers of attorney and general representation in any court matter.