Rules about selection of counselRules about selection of counsel

Rules about selection of counsel

4C All barristers are to be selected for their skills and competency independently of their gender. A Commonwealth agency is to ensure that arbitrary and prejudicial factors do not operate to exclude the engagement of female barristers or to limit the range of barristers being considered for the brief. 4D In selecting counsel, all reasonable endeavours are to be made to: (a) identify all counsel in the relevant practice area (b) genuinely consider engaging such counsel, and (c) regularly monitor and review the engagement of counsel.

Note: Commonwealth agencies are encouraged to publish annually, in a manner which does not disclose the rates paid to individual counsel, the number and gender of counsel engaged on their behalf, whether engaged directly or through external lawyers, and the comparative value of the briefing for each gender.