About SJD
The building has operated as a Chambers of individual Barristers, in one form or another, since at least the early 1960’s and without ever formalising or incorporating.
Many of Newcastle’s greatest legal minds have, at one point, called 22 Church Street home, including previous High Court Justice Michael Hudson McHugh AC QC; former Newcastle District Court Judge Ralph Coolahan; Newcastle’s first Public Defender Geoffrey James Graham; and current Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Her Honour Judge Vivien Carty.
Since the early 2000’s, 22 Church Street has been known as Sir James Dowling Chambers. In that time, the chambers has played home to several barristers including the late Geoffrey Gorton and stalwart of the Newcastle legal community, Terry Bates.
Currently, there are 8 practicing barristers at Sir James Dowling Chambers. Each of the barristers have a primary practice focus on family law. The admission to practice dates of these barristers span from 1971, with the most experienced called to the Bar in 1997.
22 Church Street is conveniently located only 100m from the Newcastle Registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
The Barristers of Sir James Dowling Chambers also regularly accept briefs to appear in Sydney, as well as regional NSW including the New England; Mid-North Coast and North Coast circuits of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Please see the individual profiles of each of our barristers for their practice areas; experience; and direct contact information.
Alternatively, please complete the enquiry form and someone from Chambers will respond to you as soon as possible.
The building has operated as a Chambers of individual Barristers, in one form or another, since at least the early 1960’s and without ever formalising or incorporating.
Many of Newcastle’s greatest legal minds have, at one point, called 22 Church Street home, including previous High Court Justice Michael Hudson McHugh AC QC; former Newcastle District Court Judge Ralph Coolahan; Newcastle’s first Public Defender Geoffrey James Graham; and current Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Her Honour Judge Vivien Carty.
Since the early 2000’s, 22 Church Street has been known as Sir James Dowling Chambers. In that time, the chambers has played home to several barristers including the late Geoffrey Gorton and stalwart of the Newcastle legal community, Terry Bates.
Currently, there are 8 practicing barristers at Sir James Dowling Chambers. Each of the barristers have a primary practice focus on family law. The admission to practice dates of these barristers span from 1971, with the most experienced called to the Bar in 1997.
22 Church Street is conveniently located only 100m from the Newcastle Registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
The Barristers of Sir James Dowling Chambers also regularly accept briefs to appear in Sydney, as well as regional NSW including the New England; Mid-North Coast and North Coast circuits of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Please see the individual profiles of each of our barristers for their practice areas; experience; and direct contact information.
Alternatively, please complete the enquiry form and someone from Chambers will respond to you as soon as possible.
Sir James Dowling
James Dowling was born in London on the 25th of November 1787. His father, Vincent, was a native of Queen’s County, Ireland. James was educated at St. Paul’s School, London. After leaving school he was associated with the daily press, and reported the debates in both Houses of Parliament. He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple, 5 May 1815, and practised for many years on the home circuit and at the Middlesex sessions…