Our Mission
The Society’s mission is to enhance existing links between the legal professions of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom by providing a forum for discussion of issues of mutual interest and by hosting regular social events.The AALS was established in 1998 as a non-profit association with chapters in London and Australia. The UK Chapter incorporated in 2014 as Anglo-Australasian Lawyers Society Limited, a private company limited by guarantee. The UK Chapter maintains strong links with other chapters of the Society based in Sydney and Melbourne.
Our principal objectives
- to preserve and promote the existing good relations between members of the legal profession in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom
- to preserve and enhance the rule of law in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom
- to promote the exchange of information and knowledge between members of the legal profession
- to provide social and academic functions for members
1998-2023: The AALS at 25
When the Australia Acts passed in 1986, cases were no longer appealed from Australian courts to the UK, prompting the AALS’ co-founders to forge new ways to foster and maintain professional ties between the legal professions of the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Read our Origins story here from early leads Ian Hunter KC SC (NSW) and the Honourable Garry Downes AM KC (retired from the Federal Court of Australia)
Our founders: Left photo: Hon Ken Handley AO KC (formerly New South Wales Court of Appeal) (left) and Ian Hunter KC SC (NSW) (right); right photo: Hon Garry Downes AM KC (retired Judge of the Federal Court of Australia).
AALS Chapters
The AALS has chapters in the UK (London) and in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne and Perth), each chapter holding a regular calendar of events.
Gold members (2024):
- A&O Shearman
- Ashurst
- Branch Austin McCormick
- Freshfields
- Herbert Smith Freehills
- Linklaters
AALS 