Banco Chambers was opened on 10 March 2005 in the Reserve Bank Building by the Hon. J.J. Spigelman AC Chief Justice of New South Wales. It then consisted of 15 members.
The current Head of Chambers is Cameron Moore SC. The inaugural head of Chambers was Justin Gleeson SC, followed by Robert Newlinds SC.
Banco Chambers expanded in January 2009, taking a floor in Chifley Tower and 15 new junior barristers. In 2020, further growth culminated in another transformative relocation and expansion in which Banco Chambers moved to two levels in a newly developed modern office building at 60 Martin Place, Sydney. There was a further addition of 14 new barristers, bringing the total number of barristers to just over 60, including 24 Silks and a diverse cohort of talented junior barristers.
The 2020 expansion consolidated the Chambers in one location in close proximity to the Law Courts Building, and affirmed its place as one of Australia’s leading barristers’ chambers.
A number of former members have been elevated to the Bench, including: The Hon Justice Christine Adamson (appointed to the Supreme Court of NSW in 2012, appointed to the NSW Court of Appeal in 2022); The Hon Justice Fabian Gleeson (appointed to the NSW Court of Appeal in 2012); The Hon Justice Andrew Coleman (appointed to the NSW District Court in 2021, appointed to the Supreme Court of NSW in 2024); His Honour Judge Robert Newlinds SC (appointed to the District Court of NSW in 2023); and The Hon Justice Richard McHugh (appointed to the NSW Court of Appeal in 2024).
Banco has always been and remains a youthful progressive floor committed to providing the highest level of service to individuals, companies and institutions. All of our barristers strive to be leading court room advocates and advisers who can add value to any case. Our barristers are also specialists in various fields where they provide sensible, commercial, objective and accurate advice.
Former Members
Amongst Banco Chambers 15 founding barristers were Simon Kerr SC and Sandy Dawson SC, whose lives were both tragically cut short by illness.
Simon Kerr SC
Simon Kerr passed away in 2011, aged 39. At the time he was called to the Bar, aged 21, he was the 6th youngest person to have ever been admitted to the NSW Bar. He was instrumental in the establishment of Banco Chambers and achieved astonishing professional success culminating in his appointment to Silk in 2009. His exuberance for the Bar and its traditions are fondly remembered. Simon is survived by his son James.
Sandy Dawson SC
Sandy Dawson passed away on 28 November 2022, aged 50. Sandy is survived by his wife Alex, his four children, his brother Angus, and his parents, Jane and Sandy (Snr). Sandy was a prodigious talent who combined fierce intellect with brilliant advocacy. He was a leader of the defamation bar, but was adept in cases of all kinds. He was known for his wicked sense of humour and impersonations of colleagues, judges, witnesses and many others. As a floor member of Banco he was loyal supporter of junior barristers and a kind and thoughtful friend. His approach to the Bar and practice were instrumental to the culture and ethos of Banco Chambers.
