About
HISTORY
The present address of 201 Victoria Square is a building with historical significance. Its former life was as the head office of the Marine and Harbour’s Department and the building is still graced on its roof by a widow’s walk; historically placed near coasts where women could look out and wait for sailors overdue from sea voyages.
The building was moved to its present site in 1979 by being placed on train tracks and hauling it 50 metres north, then sitting it on new foundations. Photos of the incredible move are in the foyer of the present chambers. After 1979, the building was used as a solicitor’s office and a bank.
The building was completely refurbished in 2006 and has rooms for barristers on three floors and a light-filled outdoor courtyard.
This prominent Victoria Square position is close to all superior courts and its members practice across a broad range of legal areas.
Anthony Mason Chambers began in 1993 with David Wicks KC (later Justice Wicks), Paul Heywood-Smith KC, and Tom Birchall, in its former life as Divett Chambers. Divett Chambers was at Divett Place, east of its current position in Victoria Square.
Divett Chambers were named after Edward Divett MP, who was then the Chairperson of Directors of the South Australia Company, incorporated by Act of the UK Parliament in 1835.
In 2006, Divett Chambers changes its name, contemporaneously with its move to the current location. Sir Anthony Mason KC kindly consented to allow his name to be used for the new premises at 201 Victoria Square. Sir Anthony was the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia for eight years until 1995. Sir Anthony attended the opening of the new chambers, and we are proud that we were the first chambers in Australia to seek his permission to use his name.
Anthony Mason Chambers presently comprises 16 barristers, three of whom are King’s Counsel. Former members have included the Honourable Vicki Chapman MP (former Deputy Premier and Attorney-General of SA); the Honourable Justice Natalie Charlesworth (FCA), his Honour Judge Paul Slattery KC (SADC) and her Honour Judge Joanne Deuter (SADC).
the hon. Sir Anthony
Mason AC KBE
The Honourable Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE KC was a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1972 to 1987 and Chief Justice from 1987 to 1995.
He was Commonwealth Solicitor General from 1964 to 1969 and a Judge of the NSW Court of Appeal from 1969 to 1972. His Honour also held various appointments, including as Chancellor of UNSW, National Fellow at the Research School of Social Sciences at the ANU, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Fiji and President of the Solomon Islands Court of Appeal.
Sir Anthony was appointed non-permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in 1997. Sir Anthony holds Honorary Doctorates from the Australian National University and Sydney, Melbourne, Monash, Griffith and Deakin Universities, UNSW and the Universities of Oxford and Hong Kong.