Victorian Bar: Mark Costello KC Appointed President for 2026-27 Term

• Mark Costello KC has been appointed President of the Victorian Bar Council for the 2026-2027 term.
• He succeeds Fiona Ryan SC and leads a new executive team, including vice presidents Albert Dinelli KC and Raini Zambelli.
• The new executive was announced on November 6, following the final meeting of the previous Bar Council.
• Outgoing President Fiona Ryan SC criticized the Victorian government's fee caps for barristers, citing potential negative impacts on women barristers and state litigation outcomes.
• The new Bar Council includes members from various experience levels, and 15 new silks were recently appointed for 2026.

The appointment of Mark Costello KC as president of the Victorian Bar Council is a pivotal moment for the legal community in Victoria.

The Victorian Bar Council has announced the appointment of Mark Costello KC as its new president, set to lead the organization for the 2026-2027 term. This significant leadership change sees Costello taking over from Fiona Ryan SC, who concludes her tenure at the helm of the influential legal body. The announcement, made on Friday, November 6, followed the final meeting of the 2025-2026 Bar Council held the previous day, Thursday, November 5.

Mark Costello KC will preside over a newly elected cohort of officers, shaping the direction of the Victorian Bar. His leadership team includes Albert Dinelli KC and Raini Zambelli, who will serve as vice presidents. Further support for the executive comes from Anthony Strahan KC, appointed as honorary treasurer, and Ffyona Livingstone Clark, who will act as assistant honorary treasurer. This new composition of the Victorian Bar Council 2026-2027 leadership is poised to guide the Bar's activities and advocacy efforts.

In acknowledging his predecessor, Costello offered high praise for Fiona Ryan SC, describing her as "an outstanding leader." He further elaborated on her contributions in the November 6 issue of the Victorian Bar’s In Brief announcement, stating, "Throughout her time in office, she has brought confidence, dedication and good humour to the role. The Bar could not have asked for, nor found, a better person to lead it." This commendation underscores the positive impact of Ryan's leadership during her term.

Fiona Ryan SC's tenure as president, spanning the 2025-2026 period, was marked by considerable achievements for the Victorian Bar. In her concluding message within the Bar's In Brief publication, Ryan detailed a range of successful initiatives. These included overseeing an extensive educational program for barristers, diligently upholding the ethical standards of legal practice, and contributing to significant policy submissions.

Beyond these core functions, Ryan's leadership also focused on advancing member wellbeing initiatives, actively promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal profession, and effectively administering the Bar's pro bono program. These efforts collectively highlight a comprehensive approach to supporting barristers and enhancing the Bar's societal contributions during her term.

However, Ryan's presidency also concluded with a notable critique directed at the Victorian government. Shortly before the end of her term, she publicly challenged the government's decision to impose caps on fees paid to barristers engaged in government matters. Ryan specifically warned that this policy could disproportionately affect women barristers, potentially creating an imbalance within the profession.

Furthermore, she raised concerns that such fee limitations might adversely impact the outcomes of litigation for the state itself, suggesting broader implications for justice administration. Alongside the transition of leadership, the Bar also acknowledged the contributions of several outgoing council members, including Julian McMahon AC SC, Colin Mandy SC, Georgina Costello KC, Elizabeth Ruddle KC, Felicity Fox, Matthew Weinman, and Michael Thomas.

The incoming Victorian Bar Council new president, Mark Costello KC, will oversee a refreshed council that includes a diverse array of new members. These additions span various levels of experience within the legal profession, ensuring a broad representation of perspectives. New members include counsel who hold the designation of KC or SC, or are junior counsel with at least 15 years of standing.

The council also welcomes junior counsel with between six and fifteen years of standing, as well as those with less than six years of experience. This structured intake of new members across different seniority levels aims to maintain a dynamic and representative governing body. The Bar's ongoing vitality is further evidenced by the recent appointment of 15 new silks for 2026 in Victoria, signifying continued professional growth and recognition within the jurisdiction.

The appointment of Mark Costello KC as president of the Victorian Bar Council is a pivotal moment for the legal community in Victoria. This leadership transition is crucial for maintaining the Bar's role in influencing ethical standards, advocating for sound policy, and fostering professional development opportunities for its members. The new executive, including Albert Dinelli KC and Raini Zambelli as vice presidents, will undoubtedly face the task of addressing ongoing challenges while upholding the Bar's commitment to justice and professional excellence.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Victoria should be aware of the new leadership at the Victorian Bar Council, as this body influences ethical standards, policy advocacy, and professional development opportunities. The change in leadership under Mark Costello KC could signal shifts in priorities or approaches to issues affecting barristers and the broader legal profession in Victoria, such as the previously raised concerns about government fee caps.

Source: Original reporting via Australasian Lawyer