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• Lipinski Justin
  

  Justin has a broad commercial practice, incorporating general corporate and commercial law, insurance, building and construction, insolvency, and class actions.

  Current and recent matters include:

  Commercial Matters

  • Biodiversity v Vaughan Constructions (Supreme Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and VCAT): Acted for a design & construct contractor in a large dispute concerning allegations of breach of contractual warranties under a D&C Contract (led by Tim Margetts KC, with Will Thomas and Hamish McAvaney, instructed by Piper Alderman). Settled five weeks into an estimated eight-week trial before the Honourable Justice Delany. As part of the proceeding, successfully resisted an appeal of an interlocutory decision in the Court of Appeal: Melbourne Water Corporation v Vaughan Constructions Pty Ltd & Ors [2022] VSCA 241.
  • Victorian Workcover Authority v Baldwin (Supreme Court): Acting for a Defendant in a proceeding brought under the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 (Vic) following a fire at a warehouse in Tottenham (led by Chris Young KC, with Tim Jeffrie, instructed by Gadens).
  • Ikosidekas v Glenis [2023] VSCA 134; Ikosidekas v MWL Finance Pty Ltd [2022] VCC 633 (Supreme Court of Appeal, County Court): Acted for the respondent in an appeal and trial concerning allegations of fraud and misleading or deceptive conduct (unled, instructed by Stenta Legal).
  • Zacole Pty Ltd v Longboat Holdings GroupNo3 Pty Ltd (Supreme Court): Acted for the trustee of an investment trust in a dispute with unitholders, including application to stay proceedings by reason of an arbitration agreement, and injunction application: Longboat Holdings group no 3 v Zacole Pty Ltd [2021] VSC 280 (led by Robert Craig KC, instructed by Hall & Wilcox).
  • Laguna Bay Pastoral Company Pty Ltd v Schroder Adveq and other (Supreme Court): Acted for the trustee of an investment trust with respect to a dispute with unitholders concerning the construction and rectification of a trust deed (settled) (led by Robert Craig KC, instructed by Corrs Chambers Westgarth).
  • A number of oppression cases, including:
    • Riseley Investments Pty Ltd v Sumo Australia Limited (Supreme Court): defended a shareholder oppression proceeding brought my minority shareholders (settled) (led by Pat Zappia KC, instructed by Bird & Bird) 
    • In the Matter of Gunn Freight Pty Ltd (Supreme Court): acted for a minority shareholder in an oppression proceeding (settled) (led by Robert Craig KC, instructed by Holding Redlich).
    • In the matter of Synstrat Accounting Pty Ltd (Supreme Court): acted for a minority shareholder in an oppression proceeding (settled) (led by Ian Upjohn KC, instructed by Webb Korfiatis Commercial).
  • Craigieburn Junction v Perpetual Corporate Trust Limited (County Court): Acted for a developer in a dispute with an investor relating to the construction of a development agreement (settled) (led by Robert Craig KC, instructed by Hall & Wilcox).
  • The Summit Group (Australia) Pty Ltd v Owners Corporation PS746020J [2020] FCA 1847 (Federal Court): Acted for the successful respondents in a trial concerning intended land access by a telecommunications carrier (unled, instructed by SBA Law).
    

  Insurance

  • Acted for five reinsurers with respect to a dispute with a captive insurer in relation to liability arising from multiple class action proceedings in the United States (led by Richard Attiwill KC (as his Honour then was), instructed by Kennedys).
  • Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd v CPB Contractors Pty Ltd (County Court): Acting for the owner of Melbourne airport in a dispute with a contractor following flooding (unled, instructed by Lander & Rogers).
    
  • Alamin Pty Ltd v Clear Pumping Services Pty Ltd (County Court): Acting for an owner of a hotel in a dispute with a plumber following alleged flooding (unled, instructed by Lander & Rogers).
    
  • Cafecco Pty Ltd v Prolux Electrical Contractors Pty Ltd & Anor (County Court): Acting for a landlord in relation to a dispute concerning a fire at a building (settled) (unled, instructed by Lander & Rogers).
    
  • Owners Corporation No. 1 PS518446V v City West Water Corporation: Acting for a water authority in relation to a claim for damage caused by a burst water main (unled, instructed by Sparke Helmore).
    
  •  McCarthy v Reade (Supreme Court of Tasmania): Acting for an accountant in a dispute with former clients in relation to an alleged breach of retainer and alleged negligence (unled, instructed by Wotton + Kearney).
    

  Building and Construction

  • 620 Collins Street Melbourne v Koble Projects (County Court): Acting for a commercial builder in relation to an alleged breach of a commercial construction contract (unled, instructed by Wotton + Kearney).
  • Koolio v Watpac & Ors (VCAT): Acting for a surveyor in relation to a claim for alleged cladding related defects (unled, instructed by Lander & Rogers).
    
  • Owners Corporation Plan No 625721C v Prime Projects Construction (VCAT): Acting for an architect in relation to alleged defects relating to waterproofing (unled, instructed by Lander & Rogers).
    
  • Hartman Constructions v Upton (Supreme Court): Acted for a builder in an appeal pursuant to s 148 of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 (Vic) of a VCAT decision in relation to breach of warranties by a builder (Settled) (unled, instructed by Consult Solicitors).
    
  • Rose v GMakcon Pty ltd & Ors (VCAT): Acted for a builder in a proceeding concerning allegations of breaches of implied warranties (settled) (unled, instructed by Lander & Rogers).
    
  • A.M.O. Rifat Holdings v Dib (VCAT): Acted for a builder in a 4 day trial before Woodward J concerning unpaid progress payments and alleged defects. Judgment currently reserved (Unled, instructed by Ward + Co).
    

  Practice and Procedure

  • Atomos Limited v McGechie (Supreme Court) [2023] VSC 754: Successfully resisted an appeal of a decision to refuse to stay a proceeding on the ground of forum non conveniens.
  • Atomos Limited v McGechie (Supreme Court): Successfully resisted an application by a Defendant to stay a proceeding on the ground of forum non conveniens (led by Ben Gibson, instructed by Mills Oakley).
    
  • Biodiversity v Vaughan Constructions (Supreme Court): Acted for the respondent to an application for a freezing order (settled) (led by Jonathan Moore KC, instructed by Piper Alderman)
    
  • Reindel v Confreight Pty Ltd (No 1) [2022] VSC 163; Reindel v Confreight (No 2) [2022] VSC 442: Successfully obtained orders for the removal of caveats in a dispute between a developer and investors (instructed by Mills Oakley).
    
  • Re Tech2Home (Communications) Pty Ltd (admins apptd) [2022] VSC 580: successfully obtained an extension of the convening period of a group of companies in administration.
    
  • Re Soar Aviation Aircraft Holdings Pty Ltd (in liq) and Gobel Aviation Pty Ltd (in liq) [2022] VSC 812: Successfully obtained leave to proceed against two companies in liquidation.
    
  • Summary judgment applications, including:
    • Kirdeikis v Laurent & Anor (Supreme Court): Successfully obtained summary dismissal of the Plaintiff’s Statement of Claim (unled, instructed by Tisher Liner FC Law).
    • Jayfield Pty Ltd v McLennan & Ors (Supreme Court): Successfully obtained summary dismissal of the Plaintiff’s Statement of Claim (unled, instructed by Stenta Legal).
    • Lidgett v Lidgett [2023] VSC 705 (Supreme Court): Successfully resisted an application for summary judgment (unled, instructed by Heinz Law).
  • Jender v Flood Emergency Services Group [2021] VSC 505: Successfully obtained indemnity costs following judicial review of a Magistrates’ Court decision (instructed by Wisewould Mahoney).

  Before coming to the bar, Justin was a Senior Lawyer at Clayton Utz. During his time at Clayton Utz, Justin represented clients in a variety of commercial disputes, including large product liability class actions.

  Earlier, Justin was Associate to Justice Hammerschlag, head of the Commercial List of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

  Justin holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, with first class honours, from Monash University.

  Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

  
  

  From 25 October 2019, Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

• Lucas Gregory S.
  

  Greg joined the Victorian Bar in 1991 and has a broad commercial practice which is involved in appearing in the following jurisdictions:

  • Interlocutory applications and conducting trials in the County Court, Supreme Court and Federal Court.
  • Appearances before specialists' administrative tribunals and boards and disciplinary bodies including
  • VCAT.Appeals from tribunals to the Supreme Court.
  • Specialist lists in the County Court, Supreme Court and Federal Court.
  • Mediation both as Mediator and representing litigants.
• Lum Christopher
  

  Chris practises mainly in commercial law, equity and trusts law, and public law. He also has experience in anti-discrimination matters. Chris has advised and appeared on behalf of corporations, government bodies and individuals in a range of courts and tribunals, at both trial and appellate level.

  Before coming to the Bar, Chris worked as a senior associate to the Honourable Chief Justice Marilyn Warren AC and the Honourable Justice Melanie Sloss at the Supreme Court of Victoria, as a solicitor at Allens working on tax and intellectual property litigation, and as an associate to the Honourable Justice Susan Kenny AM at the Federal Court of Australia.

  Chris completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours at the University of Melbourne, where he graduated second in his LLB cohort. He is proficient in French and spent an exchange semester at the Université Jean Moulin Lyon III during his studies. In 2017, Chris completed a Bachelor of Civil Law at Balliol College, Oxford.

  Chris is deputy co-chair of the Victorian Bar's Pro Bono Committee and a reporter for the Victorian Reports. He read with Jonathan Kirkwood SC.

  Matters in which Chris has been briefed include:

  Commercial and corporations law

  • Acting for a foreign company which was the subject of a winding up application in the Federal Court of Australia: In the matter of PE Capital Nominees Pty Ltd (in liq) (2024-), led by Peter Bick KC, instructed by SBA Law
  • Acting for the tenant in an appeal to the Supreme Court of Victoria from orders made in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal concerning a retail lease: Activo Pty Ltd v Mandel Nominees Pty Ltd (2024-), unled, instructed by Levitt Robinson
  • Acting for the respondent to two applications for special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia concerning the onus of proof in matters where contractual terms are said to constitute penalties: Kairouz v Jasper Nominees Ltd [2025] HCADisp 147 and Murdaca v Jasper Nominees Ltd [2025] HCADisp 148, led by Peter Bick KC, instructed by SBA Law
  • Acting for the appellant in an appeal to the Full Federal Court concerning the capacity of a second mortgagee to exercise its power of sale over land: Runner Investment Ltd v Mt Duneed Investments Pty Ltd & Ors (2024-), led by Peter Bick KC, instructed by SBA Law
  • Acting for third party respondents at interlocutory stages of a complex property settlement proceeding in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and in related appeals (2023-24), led variously by Allan Myers KC, Ian Waller KC, Peter Collinson KC and Justin Mereine, instructed by HWL Ebsworth
  • Acting for the plaintiffs and various defendants by cross-claim in a shareholder oppression proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria: Re Islamic Co-ordinating Council of Victoria Pty Ltd [2024] VSC 332, led by Peter Bick KC, instructed by Russell Kennedy (2021-23) and SBA Law (2023-24)
  • Acting as amicus curiae in proceedings in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal concerning the interpretation of a new provision of the Owners Corporations Act 2006 (Vic): Owners Corporation 1 Plan No. PS735439F v Singh (Owners Corporations) [2022] VCAT 389, led by Meg O'Sullivan KC
  • Acting for the appellant in an appeal concerning the discontinuance of a proceeding in circumstances where a counterclaim with a complex history remained on foot: Ganesh v National Australia Bank Ltd [2021] VSCA 45, led by Gabi Crafti SC
  • Acting for a defendant to a voidable transaction claim in an application for a temporary stay of proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria: Rysze International Pty Ltd v Guan & Anor [2021] VSC 706, unled, instructed by J Lei & Co
  • Acting for the tenant in a proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria concerning the exercise of an option to renew a commercial lease: Omar Property Pty Ltd & Ors v Amcor Flexibles (Port Melbourne) Pty Ltd [2020] VSC 216 and 17; [2019] VSC 446 and 627, led by David Collins KC and Louie Hawas, instructed by Baker McKenzie
  • Acting for the respondents to an appeal concerning a default judgment entered in the County Court of Victoria: Yang v Finder Earth Pty Ltd & Anor [2019] VSCA 22, led by Philip Solomon KC, instructed by Canaan Lawyers
  • Acting for a statutory authority intervening in a proceeding in the Building and Property list of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal: Zaitsev v Nicholson Wright Pty Ltd (Building and Property) [2019] VCAT 1508, unled, instructed by Allens

  Equity and trusts law

  • Acting for the respondents in a proceeding in the Federal Court of Australia concerning the interpretation of a trust document: Larkspur Tribeca Ltd & Anor v iSignthis Ltd & Ors (2024-), led by Justin Mereine, instructed by HWL Ebsworth
  • Acting for the plaintiffs in a proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria concerning the beneficial ownership of certain funds in court: Re Outrigger Hotels Pty Ltd & Anor (Efthim AsJ, 27 February 2024), unled, instructed by HWL Ebsworth
  • Acting for the plaintiff in a proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria concerning distributions made from two family trusts: Cleeve v Cleevecorp Pty Ltd & Ors (2023), led by Ian Waller KC, instructed by HWL Ebsworth (settled)
  • Acting for the contradictor in a proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria concerning a missing trust deed: Re Cleeve Group Pty Ltd [2022] VSC 342 and 362, led by Ian Waller KC, instructed by HWL Ebsworth
  • Acting for unitholders of a managed investment trust in a proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria concerning the calculation of fees payable to the trustee: Laguna Bay Pastoral Company Pty Ltd as trustee for the Adveq Almond Trust 2 v Schroder Adveq Real Assets Harvested Resources LP & Ors (2020), led by Ian Waller KC and Tomaso Di Lallo, instructed by Baker McKenzie (settled)

  Taxation law

  • Acting for the Commissioner in two proceedings before the Administrative Review Tribunal’s Guidance and Appeals Panel concerning liability for overpaid GST refunds (2025-), led by Meredith Schilling SC, instructed by the ATO
  • Acting for the Commissioner in a summary judgment application in the County Court of Victoria seeking the recovery of director penalties: Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Slowey [2025] VCC 817, unled, instructed by the ATO

  Public law

  • Acting for the National Disability Insurance Agency in various proceedings in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (2021-24), unled, instructed by Australian Government Solicitor, HWL Ebsworth, Ashurst and Maddocks. Matters proceeding to decision include [2022] AATA 3207 and [2023] AATA 4156.
  • Acting for the plaintiff in a judicial review proceeding in the Supreme Court of Victoria concerning decisions by the Environment Protection Authority to amend licence conditions relating to the air emissions of three brown coal-fired power stations: Environment Victoria Inc v AGL Loy Yang Pty Ltd & Ors [2022] VSC 814 and [2023] VSC 86, led by Ron Merkel SC with Rupert Watters and Matthew Albert, instructed by Environmental Justice Australia
  • Acting for applicants in various judicial review proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia concerning visa cancellations (2021-), unled, instructed by Victoria Legal Aid
  • Acting for the recipients of notices to produce issued by the Director of the Medicare Professional Services Review scheme in a judicial review proceeding in the Federal Court of Australia: I-MED Radiology Network Ltd v Director of Professional Services Review [2020] FCA 1645, led by Stephen Moloney with Nick Elias, instructed by Kennedys
  • Acting for the respondent to an application in the Review and Regulation list of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal: Draper v Victorian Building Authority (Review and Regulation) [2019] VCAT 1837, unled, instructed by the Victorian Building Authority

  Discrimination and employment/industrial law

  • Acting for the plaintiffs in Federal Court proceedings under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) concerning the Western Australian fines enforcement system: Roe & Ors v Western Australia (2023-), led by Ron Merkel SC with Ben Slade, instructed by Levitt Robinson
  • Acting for teachers in Federal Court proceedings under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (2020-21), led by Jonathan Kirkwood and Fiona Knowles, instructed by Holding Redlich (settled)
  • Acting for an employer in an enterprise agreement approval application: Karijini Rail Pty Ltd [2019] FWC 2907, led by Stuart Wood KC with Dimitri Ternovski, instructed by S Billing & Associates

  Advice

  • Chris provides advice both led and unled on a diverse range of matters, in relation to ongoing and prospective court proceedings.
  • From 2019 to 2021, Chris assisted a joint working group of the Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court of Australia with the harmonisation of the rules of court applicable in the family law jurisdiction, led by Dr Chris Jessup KC and Ray Finkelstein KC, with Emma Poole.

  
  

  Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

• Maharaj Sashi
  

  Sashi has a broad national practice with primary focus on Federal and State government work. She regularly appears as lead counsel in appellate and judicial review work in the Federal Court, State Supreme Courts and the High Court.

  Her broad areas of practice span public law, commercial, common law and also include: law enforcement and regulatory law, administrative law, migration, taxation, corporate and personal insolvency, corporations law, constitutional law, consumer protection and trade practices, superannuation, and veterans’ law.

  Sashi has held a national retainer as senior counsel since 2007 for significant law enforcement litigation and advising work on behalf of the Commonwealth. As junior counsel she was retained to conduct immigration cases for the Commonwealth in the Federal Court. She has conducted in excess of 200 migration matters including Full Court appeals involving test points in the Federal Court on behalf of the Commonwealth. Sashi has been recognised in Doyles “Best Barristers” guide. She holds a top-secret security clearance from the Commonwealth.

  She is currently acting as lead counsel for the Commissioner of Police (Vic) in various Gobbo related and significant litigation pending in the Victorian Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

  She has appeared as lead counsel in (a) well in excess of 100 Full Court of the Federal Court appeals and judicial reviews (b) several State Supreme Court appeals and judicial reviews and (c) well in excess of 300 first instance matters in the Federal Court involving significant test points and statutory construction issues involving federal law matters. She has also appeared as junior to the Solicitor General of the Commonwealth in several significant High Court matters for the Commonwealth.

  Some of the more notable appearances are as follows:

  Full Court of the Federal Court

  Lead counsel in the following significant appeals involving federal laws:

  • XXVII v The Commonwealth of Australia (2018 challenge to validity of Commonwealth's executive determinations)
  • Australian Crime Commission v NTD8 (No 2); Australian Crime Commission v NTD8 (Test cases regarding Commonwealth’s NT intervention)

  Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police v Oke (Legality of AFP search warrants tested) JJ v Board of the Australian Crime Commission; C Incorporated v Australian Crime Commission; S v Australian Crime Commission; CC Pty Ltd v Australian Crime Commission; P* v Board of the Australian Crime Commission; GG v Australian Crime Commission; and CXXXVIII v The Commonwealth (Administrative Law – statutory construction – test cases on legality of executive acts of the Commonwealth)

  • SBEG v Secretary, Department of Immigration and Citizenship (Migration law involving test points – whether permanent injunctive relief can be given regulating form of detention – choice of law – application of State laws to negligence claim against Commonwealth)
  • Repatriation Commission v Butcher; Repatriation Commission v Stoddart; Lees v Repatriation Commission; Repatriation Commission v Richmond (Construction of significant provisions of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (Cth))
  • Minister for Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs v Al Masri (Mandatory detention of an unlawful non-citizen pending removal from Australia – whether continued detention authorised where no real likelihood or prospect of removal in the reasonably foreseeable future)
  • Comcare v Simmons; Australian Postal Corporation v Sinnaiah (Construction of significant provisions of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth))
    

  Significant Supreme Court matters including Intermediate Appellate Courts

  Acted as lead counsel in the following significant cases:

  • Madafferi v The Queen [2022] VSCA 189 and [No 2] 2021 VSCA 5
  • Zirilli v The Queen [2022] VSCA 192
  • Keasey v Director of Housing [2002] VSCA
  • Arico v The Queen [2002] VSCA 35, and [2021] VSCA 353
  • Zirilli v The Queen [2021] VSCA 2, [No 2] [2021] VSCA 5 and [2021] VSCA 305, Madaferri v The Queen [2021] VSCA 1 (production and PII claims)
  • Barbaro v The Queen [2021] VSCA 370
  • Mokbel v The Queen [2021] VSCA 366
  • Polimeni v The Queen [2021] VSCA 329 and [2022] VSCA 20
  • Dale v The Queen [2012] VSCA 324 324
  • Murray v The Chief Examiner [2018] VSCA 144
  • Murray v the Chief Examiner (Vic Court of Appeal) (2017 challenge to contempt to powers)
  • DPP (Cth) v Galloway & Others (Vic Court of Appeal) (2017 appeal regarding coercive powers)
  • DBH v Australian Crime Commission & Ors (Qld Court of Appeal) (Coercive powers of the Australian Crime Commission tested)
  • Australian Crime Commission v Marrapodi (WA Court of Appeal) (Jurisdiction – Commonwealth’s coercive powers tested)
  • H Ltd v J (SA Supreme Court) (Test case on whether court has jurisdiction to make declarations about right to take one’s life - Commonwealth Constitution)
  • DBH v Australian Crime Commission & Ors (Qld Court of Appeal) (Disclosure of confidential coercive examination material)
  • Onesteel Trading Pty Ltd v Ewing International Limited Partnership & Ors (SA Full Court) (Practice and procedure on appeals)
  • Securency prosecutions involving Reserve Bank subsidiary employees (Vic Supreme Court) (Intervention by the Commonwealth in the criminal trials to make submissions on important statutory construction issues involving Federal laws)

  High Court matters

  Appeared with the Solicitor General of the Commonwealth in the following significant matters involving federal laws:

  • Strickland, Galloway & Others v DPP (Cth) & the Commonwealth of Australia (2018 Challenge to executive action of the Commonwealth)
  • Al-Kateb v Godwin (Detention power of the Commonwealth under the Migration Act tested)
  • Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs v Al Khafaji (Judicial power – Immigration)
  • Re Macks - (Jurisdiction of Federal Court – cross-vesting legislation. Inconsistency – Invalidity under Chapter III – Whether State laws repugnant to federal judicial power)
  • Emanuele v ASIC and Commissioner of Taxation (Companies – Winding up in insolvency – Corporations Law)
  • Byrnes v R (Constitutional Law – Inconsistency of laws)
    

  Acted as lead counsel in other Federal Court significant cases in which she has acted as lead counsel

  • Kew v Director of Professional Service Review (2021 case involving judicial review of Professional Services Review Committee and statutory construction issues under Health Insurance Act 1973 (Cth))
  • SBEG v Secretary, Department of Immigration and Citizenship (Immigration law involving test points – whether permanent injunctive relief can be given regulating form of detention – choice of law – application of State laws to negligence claim against Commonwealth)
  • Commissioner of Taxation v Moignard (Test case on construction of ss 97 and 101 of Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth))
  • Sheahan, in the matter of Atsikbasis Nominees Pty Ltd (in Liq) (Taxation - insolvency)
  • Australian Postal Corporation v Gorman (Jurisdictional error by Fair Work Australia)
  • Stoddart v Repatriation Commission (Veterans’ Law – test case on construction of Veterans’ Entitlements Act and the statement of principles made thereunder)
  • APRA v Holloway (Test case on anti-avoidance provisions of Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (Cth))
  • Geographical Indications Committee v The Honourable Justice O’Connor - (Acting for Wine and Brandy Corporation - dispute about the SA Coonawarra wine region boundary)
  • Milad v Vocational Registration Appeal Committee; Michael Alastair Reid & Ors v Vocational Registration Appeal Committee & Anor (Novel medical registration issues under Commonwealth legislation tested)
  • In the matter of Addstone Pty Ltd (in liq); Peter Ivan Macks; Giuseppe Emanuele v Ronald Alwin Grey, Brian Bates, Peter John Lamb, Arthur Brown, Allan John Dau, Peter Edward Phillips, Ian Douglas Temby and Commonwealth of Australia; Re Simionato Holdings Pty Ltd (CAN 065 117 259); The Commissioner of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Australia v Simionato Holdings Pty Ltd; Citicorp Australia Ltd & Ors v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy & Anor; Commonwealth of Australia v Emanuel Projects Pty Ltd, Emanuel (Rundle Mall) Pty Ltd, Cc Lot 4 Pty Ltd, Emanuel (No4) Pty Ltd, Heriot Pty Ltd, Emanuel Properties Pty Ltd, Giuseppe Nominees Pty Ltd, Emanuel Management Pty Ltd, PBRS Pty Ltd, Grangeville; Rocco Emanuele and Linton Emanuele v Australian Securities Commission and Addstone Pty Ltd (In Provisional Liquidation) and Others; Simionato Holdings Pty Ltd v the Commissioner of Taxation of the Commonwealth of Australia; Commonwealth of Australia v Hendon Industrial Park Pty Limited); Sheahan, in the matter of Atsikbasis Nominees Pty Ltd (in liq); LHRC v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (Cases involving corporate and personal insolvency and corporations law issues - and taxation issues - involving several test points)
  • Salerno v National Crime Authority & Ors (Challenge to legality of law enforcement activities)
  • NATB v Minister for Immigration (Removal of unlawful non-citizen from Australia - duty of officer to remove the non-citizen "as soon as reasonably practicable")
  • SSBV v National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS)

  Prior to joining the Bar, Sashi was an Associate to the Chief Justice of Tasmania, Sir Guy Green and then Senior Executive Officer and General Counsel with the Australian Government Solicitor. As General Counsel for the AGS she appeared as lead counsel in a wide range of federal law appellate and trial proceedings including public and administrative law, tax, veterans matters, migration, corporate and personal insolvency, trade practices and constitutional law matters.

  Sashi’s resume including details of significant court appearance is annexed here 

  MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS

  Vice Chairperson of the Essoign Club (Victorian Bar)

  Women Barristers' Association

  Member of the Australian Constitutional Law Association

  Asian Australian Lawyers Association

  Sashi has formerly served as a member of the South Australian Bar Council and Chairperson of the SA women at the Bar Committee of the SA Bar, the Deputy Chairperson of the SA Disciplinary Appeals Tribunal and the Vic Bar Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She has been a mentor of Indigenous law students.

• Manning Katie
  

  Katie practices predominantly in common law with a particular focus on personal injury, medical negligence and insurance law.

  She appears regularly in the Magistrates', County and Supreme Courts of Victoria for both Plaintiffs and Defendants. <

  Before coming to the Bar, Katie worked as a solicitor with a busy litigation practice where she advised clients in matters including workplace insurance, compensation, applications, and common law damages jury trials.

  Prior to that she was Associate to His Honor Judge Saccardo of the County Court of Victoria.

  Katie read with Mr David Purcell and her senior mentor is Mr James Mighell QC.

  From 27 Oct 2016, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

• Marks Simon
  

  Simon came to the Bar in 1986.

  Areas of Practice

  He has an extensive practice in commercial litigation including litigation involving major infrastructure projects. His most prominent work areas are in contract and corporations law, major torts, equity and insolvency. He has appeared in many major cases, including in competition law (including infrastructure access cases) and commercial law, as well as in 3 Royal Commissions and in other public Inquiries.

  Court Work

  He appears in all State and Federal Courts.

  Advice

  He has a large commercial advice practice in major commercial disputes including for significant public companies and for government.

  Mediation

  He regularly mediates disputes in commercial matters.

  Committees

  He served on the Victorian Bar Council for 4 years from 2017 to 2020, including 3 years as Vice President of the Bar. He has also served as Chairman of the Readers’ Course Committee and of the Bar’s Education & Professional Development Executive. He also served on the Counsel Committee.

  
  

  Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

• Martin David
  

  David enjoys a busy mediation practice after 30 years appearing for plaintiffs and defendants in common law trials as well as other jurisdictions including racing tribunals.

  His areas of expertise includes TAC claims, Medical Negligence, Insurance, Personal Injuries, Professional Negligence, Sports Law, WorkCover/ComCare and Torts.

  Mediations are able to be held in his own Mediation Centre located on Level 10, 488 Bourke St Melbourne.

  He is currently the Secretary of the Common Law Bar Assocation Committee and the List Secretary of Dever's List.

  
  

• Martin Simon
  

  Simon completed his articles at DLA Phillips Fox in 2006 following which he practised in Insurance Litigation. In that time, he worked on a variety of matters predominantly acting for health professionals.

  Simon also has experience in commercial litigation and has acted for a number of government departments and large insurers.

  Before coming to the Bar, Simon was a solicitor with Guild Lawyers where he instructed in a broad portfolio of matters including medical defence, product liability, occupier's liability, Accident Compensation Act recovery proceedings, coronial inquests and professional disciplinary proceedings.

  From 01/07/2010, Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

• Matson Rachel
  

  Rachel practices in common law, family law and general commercial law.

  Rachel has experience acting in a broad range of common law matters for both plaintiffs and defendants. She has a particular interest in personal injury and professional negligence claims.

  She appears in the Supreme, County and Magistrates’ Courts of Victoria in damages trials, statutory recovery proceedings, serious injury applications, interlocutory applications and Workcover/TAC statutory benefits applications. She appears led and unled.

  Rachel is also briefed to prepare advices, statements of claim, serious injury applications, Medical Panel referrals and interrogatories/answers to interrogatories.

  Rachel has a general commercial practice, including contract claims and property disputes.

  Rachel is also experienced in representing clients in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Divisions 1 and 2) in all aspects of family law litigation. She is regularly briefed to advise and appear (led and unled) in complex property and parenting matters. She is also regularly briefed for third parties in property proceedings.

  Before coming to the Bar, Rachel was the senior associate to the Honourable Justice Incerti at the Supreme Court of Victoria.

  Prior to working as an associate, Rachel worked as a solicitor in the family law and commercial litigation and insolvency teams at a national firm.

  Rachel read with Dugald McWilliams and her senior mentor is Ross Gillies QC.

  From 27 October 2017, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation

• McCaffrey J. Paul
  

  Retired 2023

• McCarthy Rebecca
  

  Rebecca practises in commercial law and has particular interest and expertise in insolvency, corporations, contract, equity and trusts disputes.

  Since joining the Victorian Bar, Rebecca has appeared both led and unled in trials and applications in the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Federal Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the County Court of Victoria, the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and the VCAT. Between November 2020 to March 2021, Rebecca acted as assistant to the Honourable Susan Crennan AC in the conduct of a private international arbitration.

  Before coming to the Bar, Rebecca was Associate to the Honourable Associate Justice Gardiner of the Supreme Court of Victoria, where Rebecca gained experience in interlocutory applications and trials brought under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Before this, Rebecca worked as a solicitor in the commercial litigation team at Frenkel Partners Lawyers.

  Rebecca is regularly briefed in applications to set aside statutory demands, winding up applications, applications on behalf of liquidators for directions from the Court and to appear in public examinations and voidable transaction proceedings.

  Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Adelaide and is undertaking a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne specialising in commercial subjects. Rebecca is also a sessional academic at Deakin University, teaching Evidence Law.

  Rebecca is a member of both the Law Council of Australia Young Lawyers Committee and of the Victorian Bar New Barristers’ Committee.

  Rebecca read with Peter Fary SC and her senior mentor is Penny Neskovcin KC.

  Selected Cases

  Harman v Coram Investments Pty Ltd [2023] VCC 1187 – Application for dismissal or permanent stay of proceeding, for the plaintiff, led by Andrew Meagher.

  Gountzos (as liquidator of GVE Hampton Pty Ltd) (In Liq) v Krok [2022] VSC 539 –Application by the liquidator for Court approval of a compromise, for the liquidator, led by Carl Moller SC.

  Saaticho Pty Ltd & Ors v EVR Group Pty Ltd & Ors [2022] VSC 45 – Injunction to restrain incursion into plaintiffs’ airspace, for the plaintiffs.

  Re Wynyard Victoria Pty Ltd [2022] VSC 81 – Application to set aside statutory demand, for the defendant.

  Shangri-La Construction Pty Ltd v GVE Hampton Pty Ltd (In Liq) [2021] VSC 161 – Application for appointment of special purpose liquidator, for the respondent liquidator.

  Doxa Youth Foundation & Ors vs Doxa Community Club & Ors S ECI 2021 02968 – Oppression proceeding, led by Christopher Brown, settled prior to trial.

  In the matter of SOCA Nominees Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) S ECI 2022 04842 – Application for appointment of receiver over trust assets and for relief from liability on part of Company pursuant to s 85 of the Trustee Act 1925 No 14 (NSW), for the liquidator.

  Official Trustee in Bankruptcy v Veitch MLG433/2022 – Application for declaration of vesting of beneficial ownership in Official Trustee and sale of land, for the Official Trustee, settled prior to trial.

  In the matter of Project Volar Creditors’ Trust established in the administration of Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd & Ors No. 2021/00247797 – Application for leave to file an amended proof of debt pursuant to s 81 of the Trustee Act 1925 (NSW), for the Applicant.

  W Capital 18 Pty Ltd v LWB Development Pty Ltd & Ors - Supreme Court of Victoria – breach of contract, estoppel, led by Peter Fary SC, settled prior to trial.

  DS & KCC Enterprises Pty Ltd v Jimmy and Jangs Enterprises Pty Ltd S ECI 2021 02490 – Oppression proceeding, for the plaintiff, settled prior to trial.

  Clear Logistics Australia Pty Ltd v Naracoopa Mineral Sands Pty Ltd VID578/2022 – Injunction for the delivery up of a Vessel, for the Respondent, led by Sam Rosewarne KC.

  ASIC v Arandez VID338/2022 – Application pursuant to section 1323(1)(k) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), for the Respondent, led by Michael Gronow KC.

  Jackson v Edsall S ECI 2020 04574 – Application by executor of deceased estate for orders to allow sale of deceased’s property, for the plaintiff.

  
  

  
  

  Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

• McComish James
  

  James practises mainly in commercial and public law. He has particular interests in equity and trusts, insurance, and in cross-border disputes.

  Before coming to the bar, James was an Associate at Allens, where he practised in commercial litigation with a focus on regulatory and insurance-related disputes.

  He graduated from the University of Melbourne with first class honours in law, history and art history, and from the University of Oxford with a doctorate in history.

  In 2007, he was Associate to Justice Gummow of the High Court of Australia. He is a past editor of the Melbourne University Law Review, and is a reporter for the Commonwealth Law Reports. He is the Honorary Correspondent for the Selden Society in Victoria.

  James teaches Trusts at the University of Melbourne. He formerly taught law at the University of Cambridge, where he was a fellow of Selwyn College.

  James read with Michael Rush KC. His senior mentor is Philip Solomon KC.

  Cases:

  High Court of Australia

  • GLJ v The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Lismore [2023] HCA 32 (for the appellant, led by P D Herzfeld)
  • Binsaris v Northern Territory (2020) 270 CLR 549 (for the appellants, led by B W Walker SC and K E Foley)
  • Hocking v Director-General of the National Archives of Australia (2020) 271 CLR 1 (for the respondent, led by S P Donaghue QC, C L Lenehan SC and D M Forrester)
  • Mann v Paterson Constructions Pty Ltd (2019) 267 CLR 560 (for the respondent, led by J P Moore QC and A J Laird)
  • Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts Australia Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (2019) 268 CLR 524 (for the respondent, led by J P Moore QC)

  Victorian Court of Appeal

  • Melbourne Water Corporation v Vaughan Constructions Pty Ltd [2022] VSCA 241 (for the appellant, led by P H Solomon KC and R Andrew)
  • Lonergan v Sisters of St Joseph [2022] VSCA 208 (for the appellant, unled, with A Wharldall)
  • Butler v Kenny [2022] VSCA 102 (for the respondents, unled)
  • Willis v Crosland (No 2) [2021] VSCA 360 (for the appellant, led by P H Solomon QC)
  • Willis v Crosland (2021) 65 VR 1; [2021] VSCA 320 (for the appellant, led by P H Solomon QC)
  • Amcor v Barnes (No 2) [2021] VSCA 87 (for the first respondent, unled)
  • Amcor v Barnes [2021] VSCA 6 (for the first respondent, led by J P Moore QC)
  • Schmidt v AHRKalimpa Pty Ltd [2020] VSCA 193 (for the appellants, led by J P Moore QC and C R Northrop)
  • Noori v Topaz Fine Foods Pty Ltd [2018] VSCA 323 (for the respondent, led by J Ruskin QC)
  • McNab v Graham (No 2) [2018] VSCA 8 (for the respondents, led by M F Wheelahan QC)
  • McNab v Graham (2017) 53 VR 311; [2017] VSCA 352 (for the respondents, led by M F Wheelahan QC)
  • Royal Bank of Scotland PLC v Babcock & Brown DIF III Global Co-Investment Fund LP [2017] VSCA 138 (for the first appellant, led by M I Borsky QC)
  • Mitchell v Latrobe Regional Hospital (2016) 51 VR 581; [2016] VSCA 342 (for the plaintiff, led by M F Wheelahan QC)

  Full Federal Court

  • Mawhinney v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (No 2) [2022] FCAFC 205 (unled)
  • Mawhinney v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (2022) 405 ALR 292; [2022] FCAFC 159 (unled)
  • Campbell v Northern Territory of Australia (2022) 289 FCR 148 (for the appellant, unled)
  • TechnologyOne Ltd v Roohizadegan (2021) 309 IR 262; [2021] FCAFC 137 (for the appellants, led by S J Wood QC and B Jellis, with P J Jeffreys)

  Supreme Court of Victoria

  • The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Vic) v Attorney-General (Vic) (No 2) [2022] VSC 764 (for the plaintiff, unled)
  • The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Vic) v Attorney-General (Vic) [2022] VSC 610 (for the plaintiff, unled)
  • Re HEST Australia Ltd (2021) 66 VR 338; [2021] VSC 809 (for the plaintiff, led by P H Solomon QC, with J R Wang)
  • Re Estate of Henry Brough Smith; Perpetual Trustee Company Ltd v Uniting (Victoria and Tasmania) Ltd (2020) 19 ASTLR 531; [2020] VSC 378 (for the first and second defendants, unled)
  • Re Coghlan; Merriman v Attorney-General (No 2) [2020] VSC 668 (for the plaintiff, unled)
  • Re Coghlan; Merriman v Attorney-General for the State of Victoria [2020] VSC 392 (for the plaintiff, unled)
  • Sheppard v Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Vic) [2020] VSC 12 (for the defendant, unled)
  • Chickabo Pty Ltd v Zphere Pty Ltd (No 2) [2019] VSC 580 (for the plaintiffs, led by J P Moore QC)
  • Re Wilson: Wilson v Dillon [2019] VSC 211 (for the plaintiff, unled)
  • Chickabo Pty Ltd v Zphere Pty Ltd (2019) 57 VR 406; [2019] VSC 73 (for the plaintiffs, led by J P Moore QC)
  • Re Milenkovich; State Trustees Ltd v Melbourne Health [2018] VSC 598 (for Melbourne Health, led by I J Hardingham QC)
  • Presbyterian Church of Victoria Trusts Corporation v Anstee (No 4) [2018] VSC 200 (for the sixth defendant, Board of Management of the Scots’ Church, unled)
  • Babcock & Brown DIF III Global Co-Investment Fund LP v Babcock & Brown International Pty Ltd (No 2) [2017] VSC 556 (for Royal Bank of Scotland, led by M I Borsky QC)
  • Presbyterian Church of Victoria Trusts Corporation v Anstee (No 2) [2017] VSC 102 (for the sixth defendant, Board of Management of the Scots’ Church, led by P H Solomon QC)
  • Re Ausinca Resources Limited [2017] VSC 129 (for the plaintiffs, unled)
  • Babcock & Brown DIF III Global Co-Investment Fund, LP v The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC [2016] VSC 769 (for the defendant / applicant, led by M I Borsky SC)

  Supreme Court of New South Wales

  • David v Kazal [2019] NSWSC 1763 (for the defendants, unled)
  • DIF III – Global Co-Investment Fund LP v Babcock & Brown International Pty Ltd [2019] NSWSC 527 (for Royal Bank of Scotland, led by P Zappia QC)

  Supreme Court of Western Australia

  • Cardaci v Cardaci [No 5] [2021] WASC 331 (for the plaintiff, led by M D Cuerden SC, G D Cobby SC, and L Pham)
  • Cardaci v Cardaci [No 2] [2019] WASC 274 (for the plaintiff, led by M D Cuerden SC)

  Federal Court of Australia

  • White (Trustee) v MWL Financial Group Pty Ltd [2018] FCA 2018 (for the applicants, led by J P Moore QC)

  Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal

  • Vaughan Constructions Pty Ltd v Melbourne Water Corporation (Building and Property) [2022] VCAT 821 (for Melbourne Water, led by P H Solomon QC and R Andrew)
  • Vaughan Constructions Pty Ltd v Melbourne Water Corporation (Building and Property) [2022] VCAT 633 (for Melbourne Water, led by P H Solomon QC and R Andrew)

  From 6th May 2016, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

• McDonald Ian
  

  Ian is a very experienced trial and appellate advocate. He practises predominantly in the areas of personal injury, insurance law, professional negligence and torts generally.

  In particular he has expertise in:

  • Medical Negligence;
  • Industrial Accidents;
  • Dust Diseases;
  • Institutional Sexual Abuse;
  • Transport Accidents;
  • Recovery Proceedings
  • Accident Compensation;
  • Product Liability;
  • Disciplinary Tribunals & Coronial Inquests.

  Ian regularly appears in the County Court and Supreme Court in jury trials and causes, and as required in the Court of Appeal.

  Ian has particular experience and interest in the following areas:

  1. Medical Negligence;
  2. Liability for criminal acts of third parties (Modbury Triangle scenarios);
  3. Complex claims involving sub-contractors and host employers.

  Ian is happy to provide written Advice in complex matters in a timely fashion.

  For 16 years (2005-2020) Ian was the editor of the leading publication on personal injuries in Victoria, "Accident Compensation Victoria" published by Lexis Nexus.

  Professional memberships:

  • Common Law Bar Association.
  • Compensation Law Bar Association (Victorian Bar)

  
  

  From 28 Aug 2008, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

• McLachlan Banjo
  

  Before coming to the Bar, Banjo was a Senior Associate at Allens Arthur Robinson and the Associate to the Honourable Justice Middleton of the Federal Court of Australia. He graduated from the University of Adelaide with degrees in Law (with Honours) and Science, and undertook a year of his law degree in French at the Universite de Poitiers in France.

  Banjo practises in commercial litigation. Significant matters include the following:

  Acting for Honda Australia in proceedings brought by former dealers.

  Glideware Pty Ltd v Hadad [2024] VSC 34.

  Acting for Aveo Group Limited in the Federal Court class action (Luke v Aveo Group Limited (No 3) [2023] FCA 166) .

  Acting for Aveo Group Limited in the Federal Court class action

  Diversa Pty Ltd v Taiping Trustees Ltd [2022] FCA 316 (with Vanessa Whittaker SC and Nicholas Mirzai)

  McCallum, in the matter of Re Holdco Pty Ltd (No 2) [2021] FCA 377

  Ford (Administrator), Re The PAS Group [2020] FCA 1873

  Mentha v Epic Energy South Australia Pty Ltd (No 2) [2018] FCA 925

  SMEC Holdings Pty Ltd v Commissioner of the AFP [2018] FCA 609

  Acting for Bank of Queensland in the Financial Services (Banking) Royal Commission.

  Aftermarket Network Australia Pty Ltd v Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s [2016] FCA 1402

  Mentha, in the matter of Arrium Limited (administrators appointed) [2016] FCA 1357

  State Street Australia Ltd v Retirement Villages Group Management Pty Ltd [2016] FCA 675

  Re Banksia Securities Ltd (in liq) (recs and mgrs apptd) [2016] NSWSC 357

  Re Donnelly and Ors (in their capacities as joint and several administrators of Carpenter International Pty Ltd (ACN 165 690 657) (admins apptd)) - (2016) 111 ACSR 477; [2016] VSC 118

  Lanka Graphite Limited (formerly Viculus Limited) [2015] FCA 798

  ASIC v Mariner Corporation Limited [2015] FCA 589

  Vaughan Super Pty Ltd v Becton Property Group Limited [2014] FCA 581 (successful application to strike out Federal Court claim in entirety, led by Peter Jopling AM QC)

  Banksia proceedings (acting for Banksia’s receivers in proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria, led by Philip Crutchfield QC and Jonathon Redwood)

  ASIC v Centro Directors (Civil Penalty Proceeding in the Federal Court, led by Alan Archibald QC and Philip Crutchfield QC)

  Centro Class Action (Federal Court, led by Philip Crutchfield QC for the former non-executive directors of Centro)

  Fairlight.au Pty Ltd v Peter Vogel Instruments Pty Ltd (trade mark and contract claim in Federal Court, led by Andrew Panna SC)

  Rod Investments (Vic) Pty Ltd v Adam Clark & Ors (Media World Shareholder Class Action in the Supreme Court, led by Bernie Quinn SC)

  Keller v LED Technologies Pty Ltd (No 2) (Full Federal Court, led by Peter Riordan SC)

  
  

  From 19/11/2009, Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

• McLeod Fiona
  

  Fiona practises in commercial law including regulatory matters, consumer protection and financial services, common law including historical abuse claims and class actions, and public law matters including Royal Commissions appearing in jury and judge-alone trials and appeals. She has prosecuted and defended criminal maters including Work Health Safety and Commonwealth crimes including slavery charges.

  She represented the Commonwealth in major cases including leading the legal team in the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, Queensland Floods Commission and the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sex Abuse and regularly appears for the Department of Defence and Home Affairs. She led the legal team representing the successful plaintiff in the Murrindindi bushfire class action and the plaintiffs in the Don Dale class action.

  Fiona is a leader of the national and international legal profession having led the Law Council of Australia, Australian Bar Association, Victorian Bar and Australian Women Lawyers. She is the Co-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Council and an officer of the Bar Issues Committee of the International Bar Association and a member of the Council of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.

  She has been recognised as an outstanding advocate and leader of the profession and has chaired and contributed to numerous government Boards and Working Groups.

  She has been a champion for diversity and inclusion and has received numerous awards, including for her contribution to the advancement of women and human rights issues, in particular, human trafficking. She was appointed to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2014 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2020 Australia Day Honours for ‘distinguished service to the law, and to the legal profession, at the national and international level, and to women lawyers’ .

  Fiona graduated with Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws and Master of Public & International Law from the University of Melbourne. She completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Company Directors Course in 2017.

  Fiona is actively engaged in supporting government and institutional transparency and integrity. She is the Chair of the Accountability Round Table and a former Chair of Transparency International Australia and the Open Government Forum.

  Recent cases include:

  ASIC v RI Advice, Civil penalty proceedings against RI Advice concerning cyber security risk management for financial services advisors and licensees

  Pabai & Anor v Commonwealth, Landmark climate change class action on behalf of Torres Strait Islanders

  PCB v Geelong College, Negligence claims, record damages awarded to survivor of child sex abuse

  John XXIII College v SMA, Appeal against negligence for directing students off campus and response to assault claims

  CDPP v Defence Workhealth and Safety charges concerning death of a solider in training exercise

  CDPP v Defence Successful defence at trial of WHS charges, now on appeal, concerning electrocution of soldiers in training exercises

  Disability Royal Commission Appearing for service provider Aruma Disability Services

  McDonald v Commonwealth Class action claims for historic unpaid wages in the Northern Territory

  Various plaintiffs v Commonwealth Claims by various employees working in offshore detention facilities on Manus Island

  R v Kannan Slavery and domestic servitude

  Sheridan v Australian Pacific Airports and Australian Federal Police Airport licensing, allegations of assault and false imprisonment

  fionamcleodsc.com

  Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

• McNaught Sarah
  

  Sarah practices in a wide range of civil litigation including commercial and common law. She has a particular interest in contractual disputes and personal injury law including worker's compensation, TAC, public liability and medical negligence claims.

  Since signing the Bar Roll in April 2015, Sarah has appeared in stautory benefits claims, interlocutory proceedings, serious injury applications and damages trials. She has experience drafting pleadings, interrogatories, serious injury documents and advices.

  Prior to coming to the bar, Sarah was Associate to Justice Tracey AM RFD at the Federal Court of Australia. She completed her articles in Maurice Blackburn. As a solicitor, Sarah worked in a range of areas, including medical negligence, workcover and comcare.

  Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Japanese) and a Juris Doctor (with Honours). She read with James Nixon, and her Senior Mentor was Mary Anne Hartley QC.

  From 1st May 2015, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

• McWilliams Dugald
  

  Dugald practises in commercial, insurance and common law matters including professional negligence (including medical negligence), general insurance, product liability, industrial accidents, inquests and class actions.

  Dugald was admitted in New South Wales in 1997 and worked as a solicitor in Sydney, London and Melbourne before coming to the Bar.

  Publications

  Contributor to chapter on Negligence, The Laws of Australia, Thomson Law Book Co.

  Reporter – Victorian Reports

  From 7th August 2008, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

• Meehan Denis
  

  Denis was a partner of Macpherson and Kelley Solicitors where he practiced in all aspects of Family Law, de facto matrimonial relationships and family violence cases as an Accredited Family Law Specialist. He has continued his focus on advising and representing clients in these areas since coming to the Bar in 2000. He has a special interest in conducting and appearing at mediations. 

  Denis is a nationally accredited Mediator and a qualified Family Law Arbitrator.

  Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

• Menzies Paul
  

  Retired July 2023.

• Mighell James
  

  Common Law and Insurance Litigation, Medical Negligence, Administrative Law, Trade Practices, Racing.