Hon Brian Lacy AO

LL.B M.Com (Hons)

ABOUT BRIAN

Brian Lacy came to the legal profession somewhat late in life graduating with a Bachelor of Laws from Melbourne University in 1983. He subsequently completed a Master of Commerce with Honours in 1992.

Entering the legal profession at a mature age has clearly been an advantage.

Brian has practiced as a Solicitor, a Barrister and in 2001 was appointed as a Senior Deputy President of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission [AIRC]. Most recently Brian returned to Melbourne from the Indian Ocean Territories [IOT] at the conclusion of his three year commission as Administrator for Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Having resettled in Melbourne and ever keen to challenge himself, Brian has returned to practice as a Barrister. Before being commissioned as a Senior Deputy President of the AIRC, Brian’s private practice included extensive work in administrative law, equal opportunity and human rights, employment and industrial law. His time on the bench at the AIRC has given him 8 years experience in alternative dispute resolution.Brian has a broad range of knowledge and experience in community and corporate responsibilities and administration. He served as an analyst special duties and Indonesian Interpreter with the Australian Regular Army and Defence Signals from 1961 to 1974, seeing active service in Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and South Vietnam. He was District Registrar of the Federal Court of Australia and Registrar in Bankruptcy from 1983 to 1986. Whilst practicing as a solicitor he was appointed managing partner of the firm from 1987 until 1992.

As Administrator for the IOT Brian chaired the Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands Emergency Management Committees. As such he was instrumental in coordinating the response and recovery in respect of the tragic asylum seeker boat disaster on 15 December 2010 and the containing of the Christmas Island detention centre riots in March 2011. He also chaired the Islands’ Economic Development Committees, the Health Consultative Committees and the Inter Agency Coordination Committees.

Brian’s strong sense of community remains an important part of his life. He has served two years as President of the Industrial Relations Society Victoria, one year as President of Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association and is currently the IRSV Patron. He has returned to voluntary work with UnitingCare Harrison, an organisation which provides a range of services and support for the homeless and other people in need.

He previously served nine years as Chair of Harrison Community Services. Brian also chaired the Trinity Uniting Church North Balwyn Council from 2006 until 2009. He recently joined the North Balwyn Rotary Club and enjoys helping his local community through the assistance they provide to those in need.

Brian is also very passionate about the plight of refugees. His hands-on experience with asylum seekers whilst Administrator of the IOT makes him a well-qualified speaker on this issue and he frequently speaks to community groups, members of the legal profession and other related professionals sharing his ideas for solutions to this world wide problem.

But at the end of the day, Brian, like most people, enjoys spending time with family, supporting his beloved Melbourne Storm and making time for the occasional round of golf.

CONCILIATION

Brian provides a structured and constructive conciliation process whereby he assists parties in resolving their differences by:

lowering tensions,
improving communications,
interpreting issues,
providing technical assistance,
exploring potential solutions and
bringing about a negotiated settlement.

Over the past 20 years Brian has been both a representative of parties in conciliation processes and acted as a conciliator. Each role demands welldeveloped negotiation skills. Utilising his conciliation skills Brian will assist the parties to:

independently develop a list of all of their objectives
parties separately prioritize their own list from most to least important
identify additional objectives
create and develop an atmosphere of trust
resolve their differences.

MEDIATION

Through the processes of mediation Brian will assist you to:

promote a safe and confidential environment in which to explore the conflict with the other party so that there is a mutual understanding of each party’s interests and needs
achieve open and improved dialogue in developing options and enduring solutions for all issues in dispute
develop strategies and plans for ongoing harmonious working relations as circumstances require

In all of his 20 years as a barrister and solicitor and nine years as a presidential member of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission Brian’s preferred option for resolving conflict was mediation. Mediation is generally less costly than litigation, removes the dispute from the public domain and increases the parties control over the resolution.

CONTACT BRIAN

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