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Experience

Will Houghton QC practises predominantly in commercial, media and intellectual property law with particular expertise in competition and regulatory law, defamation, and contempt law.

He has appeared for clients at both trial level (including numerous jury trials) and appellate level around Australia.

Mr Houghton accepts corporate briefs.

He is ranked in the World Trademark Review 1000 (2015) as having “plentiful experience in IP litigation and an expert knowledge of trademark issues”.

He is also ranked as a "Preeminent" Senior Counsel in Technology, Media & Telecommunications Law Barristers Rankings by Doyle’s Guide (2020).

Reported cases at appellate level include:

DPP v Besim (No. 2) (2017) 52 VR 296 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, contempt)

Sauber Motorsport AG v van der Garde (2015) 317 ALR 786 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, international commercial arbitration)

News Digital Media v Mokbel (2010) 30 VR 248 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, suppression orders).

Herald & Weekly Times v Buckley (2009) 21 VR 661 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, defamation).

Cleary v Hore – Lacy (No. 2) (2009) 21 VR 692 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, defamation).

Buckley v Herald & Weekly Times (2009) 24 VR 129 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, defamation).

R v Nationwide News (2009) 22 VR 116 (contempt proceedings).

West Australian Newspapers v Elliott (2008) 37 WAR 387 (WA Ct. of Appeal, defamation).

Howe v Harvey (2008) 20 VR 638 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, breach of non-publication provisions).

TS Production LLC v Drew Pictures (2008) 172 FCR 433 (Full Fed. Ct., copyright and anti-suit injunction).

General Motors Acceptance Corporation v Southbank Traders (2007) 227 CLR 305 (H. Ct., securities).

Hore – Lacy v Cleary (2007) 18 VR 562 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, defamation).

The Age Company Limited v Elliott (2006) 14 VR 375 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, defamation).

Herald & Weekly Times v State of Victoria (2006) 25 VAR 124 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, admin law).

Herald & Weekly Times v Popovic (2003) 9 VR 1 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, defamation).

Herald & Weekly Times v Williams (2003) 130 FCR 435 (Full Fed. Ct., suppression order)

O’Hagan v Nationwide News (2001) 53 NSWLR 89 (NSW Ct. of Appeal, defamation).

RSL v Liquor Licensing Commission [1999] 2 VR 203 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, admin law).

General Motors – Holden v Commissioner of State Revenue [1998] 4 VR 197 (Vic. Ct. of Appeal, revenue).

Reported cases at trial level include:

Duthie v Nixon (2015) 47 VR 355 (breach of confidence, interlocutory injunction)

REA Group v Real Estate 1(2013) 217 FCR 327 (trademark infringement, misleading and deceptive conduct)

Hodgson v Amcor Ltd (2012) 264 FLR 1 (employment, contract)

French v Herald & Weekly Times (2010) 27 VR 140 (defamation)

French v Herald & Weekly Times (No.2) (2010) 27 VR 171 (defamation)

Guthrie v News Ltd. (2010) 27 VR 196 (contract)

Sands v Channel Seven Adelaide (2009) 104 SASR 452 (defamation).

Application by United Energy Distribution [2009] A Comp T 10 (Aust. Comp. Tribunal, review of price determination).

Cadbury Schweppes v Darrel Lea (2007) 240 ALR 780 (apprehended bias application);

ACCC v Telstra Corporation (2007) 244 ALR 470 (misleading and deceptive conduct).

AFL v The Age Company Limited (2007) 15 VR 407 (breach of confidence).

R v Herald & Weekly Times (2007) 19 VR 248 (contempt).

TXU Electricity v Office of Regulator-General (2001) 3 VR 93 (administrative law)

Herald & Weekly Times v Medical Practitioners Board [1999] 1 VR 267 (suppression orders).

Darwin Fibreglass v Kruhse Enterprises (1998) 124 NTR1; 41 IPR 649 (intellectual property)