History of Dever's List

Theophilos Druce began operating as the Barristers’ Clerk for this List in 1860. He was born in 1841 in Liverpool, England, and migrated to Australia in 1852. He lived at Emerald Hill and as a very young man established his Barristers’ Clerk business at Temple Court. Theophilos later moved his clerking business into Michies Building, which was the main home of the Bar for some time, and in 1881 Theophilos and most of his List moved to Selborne Chambers, which had just been built. In 1892, Theophilos was joined by his son Frank Druce, who took over as the Clerk in 1911, upon Theophilos passing away. 

Arthur Nicholls joined Frank Druce after the First World War. 

Percy Dever was born in Williamstown in May 1915, with his father working for the railways as an engineer. In the 1930s, Percy worked as a law clerk at the firm of solicitors then known as Blake & Riggall (today, Ashurst Australia). At the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the Australian Navy. When he returned from the War, he returned to Blake & Riggall and then in March 1946, was asked by Arthur Nicholls to come and work as a Barrister’s Clerk with him in Selborne Chambers (which was next door to Blake & Riggall in Little Collins Street). 

Arthur took Percy into partnership in 1953, and the list was renamed A. B. Nicholls & Dever. 

The List had two of the best telephonists in Melbourne: Patricia (Pat) Utting, and Sheryl Shifton.  Pat began as telephonist in 1954, and in 1960 she married the famous Collingwood footballer Charlie Utting. In 1961, when Pat left work to bring up her children, her sister Sheryl Shifton then took over her position as the List’s telephonist, first in Selborne Chambers and then in Owen Dixon Chambers. Sheryl remained the telephonist from 1961 to 1973, when Pat retuned from ‘leave’ and remained with the List until 20##  – a remarkable ## years in total. 

Arthur Nicholls retired from the List in 1961, as the Victorian Bar left Selborne Chambers for its new home at 205 William Street: Owen Dixon Chambers (the move took three days and three nights in May 1961). At that time, Arthur Nicholls decided to retire and Percy Dever became the sole clerk. (As an aside, the clerks in Owen Dixon Chambers from 1961 were Percy Dever, Kevin Foley, and Jack Hyland, with David Calnin in Equity Chambers.) In 1963, Ken Spurr left the list and took over an existing list as a Barristers’ Clerk in his own right. 

Percy’s son John attended Haileybury College from 1958 to 1970. He then worked for a short while at CUB and CSL, while studying economics, accounting, computer science and legal studies, all part time. 

In February 1973, Percy Dever asked John to work with him for a ‘short while’ as a junior clerk. 

Percy passed away in 1985, and John Dever was appointed the Barristers’ Clerk for the List. 

Phillip Dever also came to assist for a ‘short while’ after finishing University in 2001. Phillip was part time for 18 months, and then full time from February 2002. 

Michael Dever completed a degree in Multi-Media (Design) and in February 2006 was also asked to join the business. 

In 2017, the business was incorporated into Devers List Pty Ltd, with John, Phillip and Michael as directors and at that time the List Committee and the Victorian Bar accepted and registered Phillip and Michael as licenced clerks.