The importance of an independent Bar

The globalisation of law firms continues with the announcement this week that mid-tier firm Gadens has entered merger talks with Dentons, reputed to be the largest law firm in the world, in its quest to secure a footprint in the Asia-Pacific.

Globalisation highlights the need and importance of the independent Bar (such as the barristers practising at the NSW Bar) in offering clients (including corporations) superior, robust and cost effective advisory, advocacy and alternate dispute resolution services (mediation and arbitration) in an environment free of the commercial and other interests which the globalisation of the legal market will inevitably create.