Alex Chernov
Encyclopedia
Alex Chernov AO QC
(born 12 May 1938) is an Australian jurist and the current Governor of Victoria.
to Russia
n parents, and migrated with his family to Salzburg
, Austria
where he commenced his schooling. In 1949 his family migrated to Australia
and he completed his schooling at Melbourne High School
. He graduated as a Bachelor of Commerce
(B.Com.) and a Bachelor of Laws
(LL.B.) (with Honours) from the University of Melbourne
in 1961 and 1968 respectively.
and equity. He was appointed Queen's Counsel
in 1980. He was Chairman of the Victorian Bar
1985–86, Vice-President of the Australian Bar Association 1986–87 and President of the Law Council of Australia
1990–91. He was Vice President of LawAsia 1995-1997.
He was the co-author with Robert Brooking AO of "Tenancy Law and Practice: Victoria" (1972) and the editor of its second edition (1980).
In May 1997 he was appointed to the Trial Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria
, and in October 1998 to the Court of Appeal of that Court. He retired from the bench in February 2008.
He was elected the 20th Chancellor of the University of Melbourne
in January 2009, serving in that office until he resigned to take up the office of Governor of Victoria.
Chernov was created an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours list for service to the law and education.
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(born 12 May 1938) is an Australian jurist and the current Governor of Victoria.
Early life
Chernov was born in LithuaniaLithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n parents, and migrated with his family to Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
where he commenced his schooling. In 1949 his family migrated to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and he completed his schooling at Melbourne High School
Melbourne High School
Melbourne High School is a selective entry state school for boys in years 9 to 12 located in the Melbourne suburb of South Yarra. Being a selective school, it is known mainly for its strong academic reputation...
. He graduated as a Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Commerce
A Bachelor of Commerce is an undergraduate degree in commerce and related subjects. The degree is also known as the Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, or BCA...
(B.Com.) and a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
(LL.B.) (with Honours) from the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
in 1961 and 1968 respectively.
Career
Chernov was admitted to practise and signed the Roll of Counsel as a barrister in 1968, practising mostly in commercial lawCommercial law
Commercial law is the body of law that governs business and commercial transactions...
and equity. He was appointed Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
in 1980. He was Chairman of the Victorian Bar
Victorian Bar
The Victorian Bar is the bar association for the Australian State of Victoria. Its members are barristers registered to practice in Victoria. On 19 January 2006, there were 1627 counsel practising as members of the Victorian Bar. Once a barrister has been admitted to practice by the Supreme Court...
1985–86, Vice-President of the Australian Bar Association 1986–87 and President of the Law Council of Australia
Law Council of Australia
The Law Council of Australia is an association of law societies and bar associations from the States and territories of Australia, and the peak body representing the legal profession in Australia. The Council was formed in 1933 to unite the various state legal associations, in order to represent...
1990–91. He was Vice President of LawAsia 1995-1997.
He was the co-author with Robert Brooking AO of "Tenancy Law and Practice: Victoria" (1972) and the editor of its second edition (1980).
In May 1997 he was appointed to the Trial Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria
Supreme Court of Victoria
The Supreme Court of Victoria is the superior court for the State of Victoria, Australia. It was founded in 1852, and is a superior court of common law and equity, with unlimited jurisdiction within the state...
, and in October 1998 to the Court of Appeal of that Court. He retired from the bench in February 2008.
He was elected the 20th Chancellor of the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
in January 2009, serving in that office until he resigned to take up the office of Governor of Victoria.
Vice-regal office
On 8 april 2011, it was announced that he would become the 28th Governor of Victoria. He assumed that office on 8 April 2011.Honours
Chernov was appointed Queen's Counsel in and for the State of Victoria in 1980.Chernov was created an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours list for service to the law and education.