The Barristers Animal Welfare Panel comprises some 90 barristers (including over 20 silks from the commercial and criminal bars) who have come together (as of November 2006)-

• to represent and advise litigants in matters of public interest affecting animal welfare on a pro bono or reduced fee basis, instructed under the auspices of PILCH or direct by different law firms;
• to advise or appear on that basis in the prosecution of companies or persons for cruelty offences (ranging from large numbers involved in, for example, live animal exports or intensive livestock production through to more individual cases of inhumane care or treatment) in order to encourage greater enforcement of existing animal protection laws;
• to advise or appear on that basis in the defence of protesters;
• to challenge publicly or otherwise the existing deficient animal protection legal regime in Australia, where most animals are exempt from its protective reach, and for this purpose, to formulate and prosecute proposals for law reform;
• to promote the adoption by law schools of ‘animal law’ as a subject;
• to encourage the participation by other legal professionals and law students in our programs and cases.

All counsel are welcome as members. Expressions of interest in our activities and cases are welcomed from other legal professionals, law students and others. Enquiries should be directed to the Secretary on (03) 9225 8722.