A legal tradition dating from 1941.

Our history

Blakie + Britt traces its origins to the legal practice established by Geoffrey Noel Blakie (1906–1955) in Melbourne in 1941.

Geoffrey was admitted to practise as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria on 1 May 1941. His admission was moved by W. K. Fullagar KC — later Sir Wilfred Fullagar, a Justice of the High Court of Australia — and A. M. Fraser. On 12 May 1941, Geoffrey opened his practice at 118 Queen Street, Melbourne.

In 1945, Geoffrey relocated his practice to 150 Queen Street, Melbourne. Contemporary legal notices show him practising from that address in 1945 and 1949 and identify the same office following his death on 27 Oct 1955.

Following Geoffrey's sudden death on 27 Oct 1955, his wife, Conradina Edith Joyce Blakie (née Taylor) (1915–1985), known to clients and fellow practitioners as Joy, stepped in and continued the practice. Her decision preserved the professional foundation Geoffrey had established and began the next important chapter of its history.

By around 1963, Joy was practising at 150 Queen Street as a partner in Haines, Blakie & Polites with Ken Haines and Peter Polites. Joy retired from the partnership on 31 Jan 1973, and Haines and Polites continued the Queen Street practice. In Feb 1973, Joy established the Hawthorn practice, which developed longstanding connections with clients throughout Hawthorn, Boroondara and Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

Michael Britt subsequently joined Joy and later acquired the practice from her. Under Michael's leadership, the practice operated for many years from 785 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn, until his retirement in 2011.

On 11 May 2012, Blakie + Britt merged with Parke Lawyers. The Blakie + Britt name, its client relationships and its tradition of property, commercial and estate work continue today through Parke Lawyers Pty Ltd.

Historical timeline

• 1 May 1941 — Admission to practice. Geoffrey Noel Blakie is admitted to practise as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria. His admission is moved by W. K. Fullagar KC, later Sir Wilfred Fullagar, and A. M. Fraser.
• 12 May 1941 — The practice begins. Geoffrey opens his practice at 118 Queen Street, Melbourne.
• 1945 — 150 Queen Street. The practice relocates to 150 Queen Street, Melbourne.
• 27 Oct 1955 — Joy continues the practice. Geoffrey dies; Joy Blakie continues the practice.
• Circa 1963 — Haines, Blakie & Polites. Joy practises as a partner in Haines, Blakie & Polites at 150 Queen Street.
• 31 Jan 1973 — Joy retires from the partnership. Haines and Polites continue the Queen Street practice.
• Feb 1973 — The Hawthorn chapter. Joy establishes the Hawthorn practice.
• Later — Michael Britt. Michael Britt joins Joy and subsequently acquires the practice.
• 2011 — Michael's retirement. Michael retires after leading the Hawthorn practice for many years.
• 11 May 2012 — Merger with Parke Lawyers. Blakie + Britt merges with Parke Lawyers, through which the practice continues today.

Continuation through Parke Lawyers

The practice today continues through Parke Lawyers under the guidance of Jim Parke, former Mayor of Boroondara and an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Law.

For clients of the original Hawthorn practice, and for their families and businesses, the change means access to a broader professional team while retaining the same character of work — property and conveyancing, wills and estate planning, probate and estate administration, commercial contracts, business transactions and commercial and retail leasing.

Areas of focus

The practice concentrates on:

• Conveyancing and property — residential and commercial transactions, contract reviews and property transfers.
• Wills and estate planning — wills, powers of attorney, and testamentary trusts where appropriate.
• Probate and deceased estates — applications for probate and letters of administration, and the administration of estates.
• Commercial law — commercial contracts, business sales and purchases, and commercial and retail leasing.

Where clients are located

Although the office is now in central Melbourne, a large part of the practice's client base remains in Hawthorn and the wider Boroondara area. See our Hawthorn and Boroondara page for the practical way clients from the eastern suburbs are assisted today.

Standards

The practice operates under documented quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems, and is led by an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Law. See our professional standards page for details.