Search Results

  • Harley Schumann

    Harley practises in all areas of commercial, employment and regulatory law. 

    Prior to coming to the bar, Harley had a career spanning over 15 years in Australia and Hong Kong. He held senior positions across both private practice and in the government, including as a senior lawyer at the Fair Work Ombudsman and as a partner of global law firm, Mishcon de Reya.

    During his career, Harley has specialised in commercial litigation and arbitration, and particularly in the fields of contract, insolvency, employment, professional negligence and civil penalty proceedings. He has been involved in and led some of the largest and most complex financial cases in Australia and Hong Kong, particularly in the context of corporate fraud with significant cross-border elements, involving the intersection between Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Mainland China and offshore jurisdictions.

    Harley holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours, as well as a Masters in Law (BCL) from the University of Oxford, graduating with Distinction (highest honours).

    Harley is admitted as a solicitor in the High Court of Hong Kong and was conferred Higher Rights of Audience to practise as a Solicitor Advocate in civil matters in Hong Kong, where he developed experience in advocacy. He was also an Associate to the Honourable Justice Layton in the Supreme Court of South Australia.

    Harley is reading with Georgie Coleman and his senior mentor is Kathleen Foley SC.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Tom Carmody

    Tom practises broadly and accepts briefs in all areas, with a particular emphasis on criminal law and media law, and a keen interest in common law and public law.

    Before coming to the Bar, Tom was an Associate to the Honourable Justice Incerti of the Supreme Court of Victoria. In that time, Tom assisted her Honour with a series of landmark bail rulings (including Re PJ, Re Terei and Re McLaughlin) and several significant decisions under the Serious Offenders Act. Prior to admission, Tom worked closely with a criminal barrister and at a boutique media law firm. In an earlier life, Tom was an actor (bartender) in LA.

    Tom holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Sydney, where he was awarded the Aaron Levine Prize for Criminal Law, and is currently pursuing a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne (with a focus on media and IP law). Tom also holds a Bachelor of Arts (English, Australian Indigenous Studies) from the University of Melbourne and a certificate in winemaking from UC Davis.

    Tom is reading with Amelia Beech and his senior mentor is Chris Winneke KC.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Brianna Melville

    Brianna practises broadly across common law and criminal jurisdictions, with a particular interest in torts and personal injury. Brianna is available to appear in all metropolitan and regional courts.

    Prior to coming to the Bar, Brianna was associate to her Honour Judge Morrish at the County Court of Victoria. Brianna assisted her Honour in hearing and management of civil and criminal jury trials, appeals, and interlocutory matters. As her Honour is the Judge in Charge of the Medical Negligence List, Brianna also assisted in the daily running and administration of the list.

    Earlier, Brianna worked at a small suburban law firm where she assisted in providing general legal services to clients in a wide range of areas including wills and estates, building disputes, binding financial agreements and sale of businesses.

    Brianna holds a Juris Doctor from Monash University and a Bachelor of Arts (criminology and politics) from the University of Melbourne.

    Brianna is reading with Rachel Ellyard and her senior mentor is Michelle Britbart KC.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Alex Lee

    Alex practises mainly in public and commercial law.

    Before coming to the Bar, Alex was Counsel Assisting the Solicitor‑General of the Commonwealth, an Associate to Chief Justice Kiefel of the High Court of Australia, a Senior Solicitor in the constitutional law team at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, and Counsel at the Australian Government Solicitor. He commenced his legal career at Allens, in litigation and dispute resolution.

    Alex has a Bachelor of Arts (Economics), a Diploma in Languages and a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne. He later obtained a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School. He has taught constitutional law at the University of Melbourne.

    Alex is reading with Olaf Ciolek. His senior mentor is Kathleen Foley SC.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Tess Simpson

    Tess practises primarily in commercial and public law.

    Prior to coming to the Bar, Tess served as an associate to the Honourable Justice Elliott of the Supreme Court of Victoria. She also worked as a solicitor at Holding Redlich where she acted in a range of complex commercial disputes, royal commissions and white-collar criminal law matters.

    Tess holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne.

    In addition, Tess holds Negative Vetting 1 security clearance from the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency. She has a particular interest in corporate crime and regulatory investigations.

    Tess is reading with Katherine Brazenor and her senior mentor is Kateena O’Gorman SC.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Mintz Colette

    Colette practises primarily in public and commercial law.

    Before coming to the Bar, Colette served as Associate to Justice Edelman of the High Court of Australia.

    Earlier, she practised as a solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons, predominantly in competition law, and served as Associate to Justice Katzmann of the Federal Court of Australia.

    Colette holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws, with first class honours, from Monash University and a Master of Laws from Columbia University, which she attended on a scholarship and where she was named a James Kent Scholar.

    Colette has served as a Fellow at Melbourne Law School, where she lectured in constitutional law. She has also published work in the Public Law Review.

    A selection of her recent matters is as follows:

    Commercial law

    • Taxi Apps Pty Ltd v Uber Technologies Inc (Supreme Court of Victoria, reserved) (conspiracy to injure, breach of confidence): for the plaintiff in 26-day trial, led by Michael Hodge KC, with Kane Loxley and Kalia Laycock-Walsh.
    • Slea Pty Ltd v Connective Services Pty Ltd (No 9) [2022] VSC 136 (oppression, directors’ duties): for the successful plaintiffs, following a 52-day trial, led by Michael Hodge QC, with Kathleen Foley and Geoffrey Kozminsky; and on appeal: Millsave Holdings Pty Ltd v Connective Group Pty Ltd [2023] VSC 326.
    • Lees v Connective Services Pty Ltd [2019] VSCA 143 (statutory construction, Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)): for the successful respondents, led by Catherine Button QC, with Geoffrey Kozminsky.
    • Jones v Waller Legal Pty Ltd (Supreme Court of Victoria, ongoing) (negligence, misleading conduct): for defendant, proceeding declassed following successful application, led by Philip Solomon KC.
    • Selak v National Tiles Co Pty Ltd [2023] VSC 446 (legal professional privilege, misconduct exception): for plaintiff, with Geoffrey Kozminksy.
    • iSignthis Limited v ASX Limited (Federal Court of Australia, resolved) (challenge to decision to suspend applicant’s securities from quotation on the ASX): for the ASX, led by Neil Young KC, with Brendan Lim.
    • Andrianakis v Uber Technologies; Taxi Apps Pty Ltd v Uber Technologies [2022] VSC 643 (legal professional privilege, misconduct exception): for successful respondent, led by Tony Bannon SC, with Robert Yezerski.
    • Flash Lighting Company Ltd v Australia Kunqian International Energy Co Pty Ltd [2021] HCASL 50 (contract): for successful respondent, led by Jonathon Moore QC, with Geoffrey Kozminsky.
    • Salter Brothers Asset Management Pty Ltd v Hendry (contract, employment): for respondents, obtained order for summary dismissal of proceedings (McElwaine J, Federal Court of Australia, unreported, 10 June 2022), unled on dismissal application; otherwise led in proceeding by Robert Craig QC, with Franceska Leoncio.
    • Townshend v Fendall Farms Pty Ltd (Federal Court of Australia, ongoing) (oppression, fiduciary duties): for defendants, unled. See, relatedly, Townshend as Legal Representative for the Estate of Mervyn Townshend v Fendall Farms Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 848 (application for derivative leave, led by Ian Waller KC).
    • ACCC v TasPorts (Federal Court of Australia, resolved) (proceeding under s 46 of Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)): for the ACCC, led by Wendy Harris QC and Nick De Young QC, with Chris Tran.
    • In the Matter of Grand Land Property Pty Ltd (Supreme Court of Victoria, resolved during trial) (oppression, misleading conduct): for defendants, led by Robert Craig KC, with D’Arcy Hope.
    • Thexton v Mialls Gun Shop (Supreme Court of Victoria, resolved during trial) (negligence, misleading conduct): for defendants, led by Richard Attiwill QC.

    Public law

    • COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry: for Department of Premier and Cabinet, led by Richard Attiwill QC.
    • Ridd v James Cook University [2021] HCA 32 (construction of enterprise agreement): for appellant, led by Stuart Wood QC, with Ben Jellis.
    • Plaintiff M1/2021 v Minister for Home Affairs [2022] HCA 17 (administrative law): for plaintiff, led by Richard Knowles QC.
    • Santos v Tipakalippa [2022] FCAFC 193 (administrative law): for successful respondent, led by Claire Harris KC, with Nick Baum.
    • Dhu v State of Western Australia (Federal Court of Australia, ongoing) (discrimination, constitutional law): for respondent in class action, led by Robert Craig KC.
    • Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police v Chauhan (County Court of Victoria, reserved) (proceeds of crime, unexplained wealth): for AFP Commissioner in application for unexplained wealth order, led by Robert Craig KC.
    • Secretary, Attorney-General’s Department v Bhagwandas [2023] FCA 398 (administrative law, appeal from AAT on question of law): for successful respondent, unled.
    • Asmar v Albanese (No 4) [2021] VSC 672; Asmar v Albanese [2022] VSCA 19; Asmar v Albanese [2022] HCASL 71 (proceeding concerning validity of Federal ALP intervention in Victorian Branch of ALP): for plaintiffs / appellants, led by Ron Merkel QC, with Emrys Nekvapil and Katharine Brown.
    • Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd v Civil Aviation Safety Authority [2021] FCA 1160; Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd v Civil Aviation Safety Authority (No 2) [2021] FCA 1337 (administrative law, ban on helicopter use during Melbourne protests): for successful applicants, led by Will Houghton QC.
    • Melton City Council v Minister for Planning [2021] VSC 700; [2022] VSCA 144 (administrative law): for plaintiff / appellant, led by Emrys Nekvapil.
    • Celsius Fire Services Pty Ltd v Magistrates’ Court of Victoria [2019] VSC 835; Celsius Fire Services Pty Ltd v Magistrates’ Court of Victoria (No 2) [2020] VSC 120 (administrative law): for the successful plaintiff, led by Anthony Strahan QC.
    • WOTCH v VicForests (Supreme Court of Victoria, resolved while judgment reserved) (environmental law): for plaintiff in long-running litigation, including large trial, led by Richard Knowles KC and Kathleen Foley SC, with Shawn Rajanayagam. See WOTCH v VicForests (No 2) [2020] VSC 99; WOTCH v VicForests (No 3) [2020] VSC 220; WOTCH v VicForests (No 4) [2020] VSC 433; WOTCH v VicForests (No 8) [2021] VSC 268; WOTCH v VicForests (No 9) [2022] VSC 503.
    • ABC v Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal [2021] VSC 730 (statutory construction): for successful applicant, led by Alistair Pound SC.

    Colette is also regularly briefed to advise government on questions of constitutional law and statutory construction.

    Colette read with Kathleen Foley, now SC, and her senior mentor is Wendy Harris KC.

    From 3 May 2019, Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

  • Haban-Beer Astrid

    Astrid Haban-Beer has a practice incorporating criminal law, public law and regulatory investigations. Astrid’s practice includes appearing in jury trials, royal commissions, inquests and investigation hearings.

    Astrid has particular experience with matters involving organised crime, white collar crime including Federal Court criminal matters, corruption matters, Commonwealth Code matters, public interest immunity, and matters involving the intersection of criminal and civil law.

    Astrid is on the panel of special counsel able to be appointed under the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003 (Vic).

    Astrid also has a special interest in mental impairment and hearings conducted pursuant to the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act. Astrid appears in special fitness hearings and supervision order/review proceedings.

    Astrid has a strong civil regulatory background and has acted for and against regulators across jurisdictions, including in both civil and criminal proceedings in the Federal Court, and state courts and tribunals.

    Astrid has a current high level security clearance and has capacity to undertake sensitive matters in a range of legal and/or investigatory contexts.

    Astrid undertakes court appearances (trials, pleas, committals and applications) and advice work across all jurisdictions, in criminal, quasi-criminal and civil proceedings, covering areas of:

    • proceedings arising out of investigations conducted by the ACCC, ASIC, ATO, AFP and IBAC;
    • Open Courts Act - suppression orders and related applications;
    • Murder, and violent crimes;
    • dangerous driving causing death;
    • White collar crime (including criminal proceedings in the Federal Court);
    • mental impairment (including special hearings and review proceedings);
    • public interest immunity and other privileges (including subpoena arguments);
    • competition and consumer law including civil penalty proceedings;
    • terrorism, organised crime and national security;
    • fraud and corruption offences;
    • drug offences;
    • sexual offences, including Commonwealth Criminal Code offences;
    • internet and cyber offences, including Commonwealth Criminal Code offences and privacy offences;
    • customs (including tariffs), biosecurity and quarantine offences, and animal cruelty matters;
    • copyright matters; and
    • Coroner's Court matters.

    Astrid has frequently acted for government and institutional clients, and individuals in a number of Royal Commissions including:

    • The Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants
    • The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
    • The Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption
    • The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.

    Astrid is a Victoria Legal Aid Criminal Trial Preferred Barrister, and holds an Indictable Crime Certificate (ICC).


    From 16 May 2013, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

  • Wheelahan Eugene

    Eugene practises principally in tax law. He has acted for both taxpayers and the Commissioner of Taxation in leading cases in the High Court and Federal Court.

    Eugene advises and acts in disputes involving issues such as consolidation, transfer pricing, the CFC rules, thin capitalisation, double tax treaties, capital gains tax, the debt/equity rules, capital/revenue distinctions, losses, GST, taxation of trusts and Part IVA. He acts for clients in the mining, infrastructure, telecommunications and financial services industries, among others, providing opinions and assisting them in their dealings with the Commissioner during reviews, audits, objections and litigation.

    Eugene has a Master of Tax from the University of Melbourne where he is a Senior Fellow of the Law Faculty lecturing in the subject Tax Litigation and, previously, Tax Avoidance and Planning.

    He is the immediate past President of the Tax Bar Association and a Fellow of the Tax Institute of Australia.

    Eugene is consistently recognised in publications such as Doyles Guide, Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific, Who's Who Legal and Best Lawyers.

    Recent or significant cases in which Eugene has appeared as silk include (client in bold):

    • PepsiCo Inc. v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court – currently before the High Court)
    • Mylan Inc. v Commissioner of Taxation (Federal Court)
    • Bechtel Australia Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court)
    • Minerva Financial Group Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court)
    • Landcom v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court)
    • Ausnet Services Limited v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court - decision pending)
    • Clough Limited v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court)
    • Watson v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court and application to High Court for special leave)
    • Mussalli v Commissioner of Taxation (Application to High Court for special leave)
    • Moreton Resources Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court)
    • Auctus Resources Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (application to the High Court for special leave)
    • BHP Billiton Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (High Court)

    From 24/07/2008, Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Moloney Stephen

    Mr Moloney is a senior barrister in Melbourne and a member of the Victorian Bar who practises in corporate and commercial law, administrative and constitutional law, equity, professional discipline, professional negligence, common law, insurance, defamation, medical negligence and family law (appellate).

    He holds a trial and appellate practice and an advice practice.

    His specialisation in public law includes all aspects of the regulation of medical practitioners, particularly at a Commonwealth level.

    He acts for both all Health Professionals and their regulatory Boards in disciplinary proceedings (trial and appellate).

    He is experienced in Inquiries and Arbitration (both local and international) and he has chaired an Inquiry into the probity of scientific research under the NHMRC guidelines and appears in Inquiries, including as counsel assisting.

    He has appeared and been retained in a number of large-scale commercial cases over the last twenty years.

    He practises in the High Court of Australia, the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Federal Court (trial and appellate). He is a Member of the Australian Bar Association, is admitted in New South Wales and Western Australia and is a member of the Bar in each of those States.

    He is the Chairperson of the Medicare Participation Review Committee of Australia, thrice appointed by the Federal Government. By this office he chairs a committee which makes determinations about whether certain health practitioners should retain the right to participate in the Medicare Scheme and whether their provider rights are to remain.

    He is the immediate Past-Chairperson of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law (Victorian Chapter), and The Medico Legal Society of Victoria, and is a member of the Administrative Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia. He currently chairs a large private secondary school of 1200 students.


    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Alpins Fiona

    Fiona has a broad national practice as an advocate and adviser, in private and public law matters.

    She practises principally in taxation law (federal and state), commercial law, regulatory law and administrative law, at trial and appellate level.

    Fiona is listed as a leading administrative and public law barrister in Victoria in Doyle's Guide.

    Fiona is a former Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (2012-2017). She is a member of the International Association of Tax Judges.

    Fiona is also a former Senior Fellow at Melbourne Law School (2002, 2004-2005).

  • Tony Kelly KC

    Tony has a broad practice in commercial and public law. He has appeared in numerous complex trials, appeals and arbitrations.

    Tony appears in Federal Courts and State Supreme Courts.

    Professional Associations: International Council for Commercial Arbitration


    Liability limited by scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

    • Tom Clelland

      Tom specialises in criminal law and accepts briefs in other areas.

      Tom has appeared unled and with a leader in jury trials as counsel for the defence, and in numerous summary trials, intermediate appeals, and contested applications.

      He commenced his legal career as a solicitor at Galbally & O’Bryan, and worked for a number of years at NAAJA as a solicitor-advocate and the manager of the East Arnhem Land practice. Tom has also worked at Legal Aid New South Wales. Before signing the Victorian bar roll, Tom practised at the Northern Territory bar and was a founding member of Mindil Chambers.

      Tom holds a master’s degree from UCLA School of Law where he was a Dean's Fellow.

      He was also judicial extern for the Honorable David O. Carter of the Federal District Court of Central California, sitting principally in the civil docket.

      Tom also worked as a researcher for Professor Angela Riley, and represented the Native Nations Law & Policy Centre at the United Nations in Geneva as an accredited delegate in relation to his research.

      Tom accepts work internationally, most recently spending time in northern Myanmar training local lawyers and advising on strategic human rights litigation for an international non-governmental organisation.

      Tom has spent a number of seasons as the reporting officer representing AFLNT in tribunal hearings.

      Tom also accepts work in jurisdictions interstate, and is a member of the New South Wales Legal Aid Indictable Criminal Law Barrister Panel, and the Northern Territory Indictable Legal Aid Panel.

      He is reading with Anthony Lewis and his senior mentor is Ruth Shann SC.

    • Brittany King

      Brittany practises in common law, insurance law and administrative law (judicial review), with a special interest in class actions. She is available to appear in all metropolitan and regional courts.

      Before coming to the Bar, Brittany was Associate to the Honourable Justice J Forrest and the Honourable Justice Tsalamandris at the Supreme Court of Victoria. Brittany assisted their Honours in the hearing and management of civil trials (both jury and judge alone), appeals and a range of interlocutory matters. Prior to this, Brittany worked at a national firm in the area of professional indemnity insurance.

      Brittany holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Speech Pathology from the University of Melbourne, and a Juris Doctor from Monash University.

      Brittany read with Ben Jellis KC and her senior mentor is Jeremy Ruskin KC.


      Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation. The information referred to above has been supplied by the barrister concerned. Neither Victorian Bar Inc nor the barrister's clerk have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information and neither accepts any responsibility in that regard.

    • Alannah Slater

      Alannah practises broadly across public law, commercial law and all areas of employment, industrial relations, discrimination and occupational health and safety law.

      ​Before coming to the Bar, Alannah was a Senior Solicitor in the Human Rights team at the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office, where she conducted litigation under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic) and advised the Victorian Government on a range of Charter issues.

      ​Earlier, Alannah worked as a Senior Associate in the Workplace Relations & Safety team at Lander & Rogers, where she advised and represented private and public sector clients in general employment, industrial, discrimination and occupational health and safety matters.

      Alannah also served as an Associate to the Honourable Justice Richards of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

      ​Alannah has a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours from Monash University, where she won prizes for individual subjects and overall performance.

      ​Alannah is reading with Sarala Fitzgerald and her senior mentors are Jonathan Kirkwood SC and Kylie Evans KC.

      Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

    • Zeleznikow Sarah

      Sarah practises primarily in commercial and public law. Sarah also accepts briefs in law enforcement, quasi-criminal and some common law matters.

      Sarah is regularly briefed to advise and appear in trials, appeals and other hearings within those fields, including in competition and consumer, financial services, constitutional and statutory interpretation matters. In 2018, Sarah was part of the team of counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.

      Before coming to the Bar, Sarah was an Associate to the Hon Justice Stephen Gageler AC at the High Court of Australia. Sarah also worked as a Trial Division Researcher at the Supreme Court of Victoria, a solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team of King & Wood Mallesons, and a sessional lecturer in the JD program at Melbourne Law School.

      Sarah holds undergraduate degrees in Arts and Law (with First Class Honours) from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School.

      Recent matters in which Sarah has been briefed include:

      Commercial and regulatory law

      • Electoral Commissioner of the Australian Electoral Commission v Laming (2024) 304 FCR 561 and [2024] HCASL 330: for the Commissioner, led by T Begbie KC
      • Karpik v Carnival plc [2023] HCA 39; (2023) 98 ALJR 45: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth and the ACCC, intervening, led by S Donaghue KC, Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth and R Higgins SC, with S Rajanayagam
      • Re Telstra Corporation Ltd (2023) 376 FLR 1: for the ACCC, led by M Hodge KC, with D Roche and M Salinger
      • ACCC v Ashton Raggatt McDougall Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 351: for the ACCC, led by E Bennett SC
      • Proceedings under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (Federal Court of Australia): for the CEO of AUSTRAC, led by M Hodge KC, with C Gleeson, A Poukchanski and W Liu
      • ACCC v BlueScope Steel Ltd (Federal Court of Australia): for the ACCC, led by M Hodge KC, with S Chordia (see, eg, [2020] FCA 625)
      • Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Ltd v ACCC [2020] FCA 117: for the ACCC, led by M Hodge KC and C Button KC, with N de Young, T Prince and D Foster
      • Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (2018): Part of the team of counsel assisting, led by R Orr KC and M Hodge KC, with A Dinelli, E Dias, M Costello, M Hosking, C Schneider and T Farhall
      • Director, Consumer Affairs Victoria v The Reject Shop [2018] FCA 211: for the respondent company, led by R Orr KC and P Neskovcin KC
      • Application for merger authorisation by Tabcorp Holdings [2017] ACompT 1; ATPR 42-550: for the ACCC, led by A McClelland KC, with K Anderson, P Thiagarajan and I Cowen
      • Abrahams v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Federal Court of Australia, 2017, resolved prior to hearing): for the applicants, led by R Merkel KC, with E Nekvapil

      Sarah also has experience in: other aspects of Part IV of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), including misuse of market power (Federal Court of Australia, led by R Orr KC, with D Roche) and informal merger clearances (led by P Collinson KC with S Hogan and S Rajanayagam); the Australian Consumer Law (led by M Hodge KC); and proceedings under the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth).

      Constitutional law

      • Maxwell v Hersant (Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, Case No P12425201): for the Attorney-General of Victoria, intervening
      • YBFZ v The Commonwealth [2024] HCA 40; (2024) 99 ALJR 1: for the Commonwealth, led by S Donaghue KC, with M Hosking
      • Albyn Queensland Pty Ltd v Australian Postal Corporation [2024] VSC 584: for the Attorney-General of Victoria, intervening, with L Chircop
      • Yuan An v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2024] VSC 518: for the Attorney-General of Victoria, intervening, with L Chircop
      • Vanderstock v Victoria [2023] HCA 30; (2023) 98 ALJR 208: for the State of Victoria, led by R Orr KC, Solicitor-General for Victoria, with M Salinger
      • Carr v Attorney-General of the Commonwealth [2023] FCA 1500: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, led by T Begbie KC
      • Unions NSW v New South Wales [No 3] [2023] HCA 4; (2023) 277 CLR 627: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, intervening, led by S Donaghue KC, with S Rajanayagam
      • Thurin v Krongold Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd [2022] VSCA 226; (2022) 407 ALR 187: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, intervening, led by G Hill SC
      • Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs v Montgomery (High Court of Australia, resolved prior to judgment): for the Northern Land Council, intervening, led by S Glacken KC
      • LibertyWorks Inc v The Commonwealth [2021] HCA 18; (2021) 274 CLR 1: for the Commonwealth, led by S Donaghue KC, with B Lim
      • Zhang v Commissioner of Police [2021] HCA 16; (2021) 273 CLR 216: for the Commissioner, led by S Donaghue KC and P Herzfeld SC
      • Palmer v Western Australia [2020] FCA 1220 and [2020] FCA 1221: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, intervening, led by S Donaghue KC, with P Herzfeld and M Hosking
      • Zheng v Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police [2020] HCATrans 91: for the Commissioner, led by L Cheeseman SC, with D O’Leary
      • Smethurst v Commissioner of Police [2020] HCA 14; (2020) 272 CLR 177: for the Commissioner and the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, intervening, led by S Donaghue KC and C Lenehan SC
      • Minogue v Victoria [No 2] [2019] HCA 31; (2019) 268 CLR 1: for the State of Victoria, led by P Hanks KC, with A Pound
      • Palmer v Australian Electoral Commission [2019] HCA 24; (2019) 269 CLR 196: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, led by S Donaghue KC, with G del Villar
      • Re Canavan [2017] HCA 45; (2017) 263 CLR 284: for Mr Windsor, led by R Merkel KC and J Gleeson SC, with E Nekvapil

      Sarah also has experience in matters relating to ss 51(xxxi) (High Court of Australia, led by R Orr KC, with T Goodwin), 90 (High Court of Australia, led by K Walker KC, Solicitor-General for Victoria, R Orr KC and C Young SC) and 109 of the Constitution (Supreme Court of Victoria, led by P Hanks KC).

      Other public law matters

      • Patrick v Australian Information Commissioner [2024] HCASL 291: for the Commissioner, led by Z Maud SC, with A Wharldall
      • Northern Territory of Australia v Aboriginal Land Commissioner [2023] FCA 1183: for the Northern Land Council, led by S Glacken KC
      • Harris v Victorian Electoral Commission [2020] VSC 676; (2020) 62 VR 460: for the plaintiffs, led by P Hanks KC
      • DBE17 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2019] HCA 47; (2019) 266 CLR 156 (and related proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia): for the applicant, led by B Walker SC and B Quinn KC, with M Albert and M Guo
      • Chief Commissioner of Police v AMJK Pty Ltd [2018] VSC 250: for the Chief Commissioner, led by P Hanks KC
      • Northern Territory v Griffiths; Commonwealth v Griffiths [2017] FCAFC 106; (2017) 256 FCR 478: for the native title party, led by S Glacken KC, with G Hill
      • Proceedings in the original jurisdiction of the High Court of Australia, the original and appellate jurisdictions of the Federal Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia under the Migration Act 1958 (Cth): for both the applicant and the Minister, and both led and unled (see, eg, Lasalo v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs [2024] FCA 790)

      Law enforcement and quasi-criminal matters

      • Pre-committal and pre-trial hearings in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and the County Court of Victoria: for the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police
      • Benbrika v Attorney-General of the Commonwealth; Attorney-General of the Commonwealth v Benbrika [2024] VSC 265: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, led by P Hanks KC, with S Rajanayagam and M Jackson
      • Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police v Luppino [2021] FCAFC 43; (2021) 284 FCR 233: for the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, led by N Williams SC
      • Proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) (County Court of Victoria): for the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, led by R Craig KC
      • Proceedings under the Extradition Act 1988 (Cth): for the requested person, led by R Orr KC, C Harris KC and L De Ferrari SC (see, eg, United States v Ghodskani [2018] FCA 14)

      Sarah also has experience in foreign bribery matters (led by R Orr KC, with M Keks).

      Common law

      • Eildon Resort Pty Ltd v State of Victoria (Supreme Court of Victoria, resolved prior to hearing): for the State of Victoria, led by L Brown, Crown Counsel
      • Tortious proceedings for the recovery of land (Supreme Court of Victoria, resolved prior to hearing): for a local council, led by R Orr KC, with R Knowles
      • Proceedings alleging professional negligence against legal representatives (Supreme Court of Victoria): for a member of counsel, led by D Collins KC, and for a firm of solicitors, led by S Horgan KC
      • Sarah also has experience in matters involving false imprisonment, misfeasance in public office and novel duties of care.


      Sarah was a reporter for the Commonwealth Law Reports from 2016-2022.

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

    • Jellis Benjamin

      Ben appears in common law, public law (administrative and constitutional law) and insurance, often in appeals and for judicial review.

      Before coming to the Bar, Ben completed the Bachelor of Civil Law at the University of Oxford, graduating with Distinction (highest honours). He was the associate to Justice Redlich at the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court Victoria. He practiced as a solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons.

      Ben has particular expertise in the regulation of the medical profession and in medical negligence. Ben has appeared in many reported insurance cases. He was counsel in the Banksia class action.

      Ben has a national practice in administrative law, with a focus on the regulation of health practitioners.

      Ben's current reader is Shane Dawson. His is a former member of the Victorian Bar Council and the Counsel Committee. He is currently a member of the Ethics Committee of the Victorian Bar.

      Some matters in which Ben has appeared as counsel:

      Judicial Review

      T v Coroners Court of Victoria and Northern Health [2022] VSC 70

      Zhao v Medical Board of Australia [2021] VSC 763

      Kew v Director of Professional Services Review [2021] FCA 1607

      Nursing and Midwifery Board v Robinson [2021] VSC 823

      Appanna v Medical Board of Australia [2021] VSC 679

      Gilhooley v Health Complaints Commissioner [2021] VSC 232

      Municipal Association of Victoria v VWA [2021] VSC 128

      Ridd v JCU [2021] HCAtrans 15

      CDC v Health Complaints Commissioner [2020] VSC 597

      JCU v Ridd (2020) 382 ALR 8; [2020] FCAFC 123

      CFMMEU v Anglo American Australia Ltd (2019) 164 ALD 451 [2019] FCAFC 109 (Full Court) (unled)

      RIdd v JCU (Peter Ridd Academic Freedom Case) [2019] FCCA 997

      AWU v ROC (the AWU Raids Case) [2019] FCA 188

      AMMA v CFMMEU (CFMEU and MUA Amalgmation Case) (2018) 363 ALR 343 (Full Court)

      Adams v Dr Wadesley [2018] VSC 604 (with J Noonan QC)

      SDA v AIG (the Penalty Rates Case) (2017) 253 FCR 368 (Full Court)

      Rajendran v The Heritage Council (2017) 220 LGERA 303; [2017] VSCA 48 (Court of Appeal)

      Sevdalis v PSRC (Medicare) [2017] FCAFC 9 (with C Winneke QC) (Full Court)

      Cremorne Commercial v Arnold Prince [2017] VSC 714 (with J Pizer QC)

      McDermott v AWU (2016) 255 IR 146 (Full Bench)

      Sevdalis v PSRC (Medicare) (2016) 241 FCR 266 & [2016] FCA 433 (with C Winneke QC)

      Rajendran v The Heritage Council (No 2) [2016] VSC 286

      Just Group Ltd v Nicole Peck [2016] VSC 432

      CSR Ltd v CSR and Holcim Staff Association (2015) 232 FCR 302 (Full Court)

      CFMEU v Boral (2015) 256 CLR 375 (High Court)

      Baytech Trades v Coinvest [2015] VSCA 342 (Court of Appeal)

      CFMEU v Grocon [2014] VSCA 298 and (2014) 47 VR 527 (Court of Appeal)

      CFMEU v John Holland (2015) 228 FCR 297 (Full Court)

      Energy Australia Yallourn v CFMEU (2014) 218 FCR 316 (Full Court)

      Dr Bruce Reid v Australian Football League (Defence of Dr Reid/ AFL ASADA) (with R Gillies QC)

      Insurance

      Delta Pty Ltd v Team Rock Anchos [2019] 3 QD R 438 (Queensland Court of Appeal)

      Delta Pty Ltd v Team Rock Anchors [2018] 1 QD 564 (with J Gleeson QC) (Supreme Court Qld )

      Daffy v MLC [2017] VSCA 110 (with P Murdoch QC) (Court of Appeal)

      Service v Post Super Pty Ltd [2017] VCC 1500

      Montclare v Metlife (2016) 344 ALR 685 [2016] VSCA 386 (with J Gleeson QC) (special leave refused) (Court of Appeal)

      Linfox Australia v TAC (2016) 78 MVR 177 [2016] VSC 592 (with P Solomon QC)

      Montclare v Metlife [2015] VSC 306 (with J Gleeson QC)

      Common Law, Inquests and Health Practitioners

      Acciarito v Anthony Parcel Services [2022] VSCA 13

      Fischer v Brown [2021] VCC 108

      Appanna v Medical Board [2021] VCAT 277

      Medical Board v Arulandarajah [2021] VCAT 85

      Nursing Board v Meek [2021] VCAT 68

      Fischer v Brown VCC [2020] VCC 2041

      Belgrave Heights Christian School v Moore [2020] VSCA 240 (with J Ruskin QC) (Court of Appeal)

      Billington v Sussan Corporation [2020] VSCA 12 (with S O'Meara QC) (Court of Appeal)

      Medical Board of Australia v Islam [2020] VCAT 994

      Medical Board of Australia v Ellis [2020] VCAT 862

      Nursing Board of Australia v Keenoo [2020] TASHPT 3

      Leow v Medical Board of Australia [2019] VSC 532 (appeal)

      CJE v Medical Board of Australia [2019] VCAT 178

      Dental Board of Australia v Ho [2019] VCAT 467

      XDH v Medical Board of Australia [2019] VCAT 377

      CDC v Health Complaints Commissioner [2019] VCAT 171

      CDC v Health Complaints Commissioner [2018] VCAT 1844

      Hunt & Numurkah District Health Service v Holcombe [2018] VSCA 248 (Court of Appeal) (with P Solomon QC)

      Medical Board of Australia v Farschi [2018] VCAT 1617 with Dr I Freckleon QC

      Pharmacy Board of Australia v Hanna [2018] VCAT 1817

      Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia v Macrae [2018] VCAT 1707

      Pharmacy Board of Australia v Hopkinson [2018] VCAT 982

      Hunt v Hunt [2018] VSC 55 (with P Solomon QC) 5970

      Inquest into the death of Campbell (COR 2014 5828)

      Inquest into the death of Ljepojevic (COR 2015 5970)

      Holcomb v Mr Hunt & Numurkah Hospital District Health Service [2017] VSC 666 (with P Solomon QC)

      Northern Health v Kuipers [2015] VSCA 172 (with R Gillies QC) (Court of Appeal)

      Stapleton v Central Club Hotel [2016] VCC 91 (with S O'Meara QC)

      Swansson v Harrison & Ors [2014] VSC 118 (with R Gillies QC)

      Curran v Loddon and Campaspe Centre Against Sexual Assault [2017] VCAT 999

      E v Physiotherapy Board of Australia [2017] VCAT 1401

      Khouri v Business Licensing Authority [2015] VCAT (with J Pizer QC)

      CMJ v Crewdson [2015] VCAT 402

      DPP v JPH (No 2) (2014) 239 A Crim R 543 [2014] VSC 177 (for the Attorney General) (part trial)

      Commercial Law

      Roohizadegan v Technologyone [2020] FCA 1571, [2020] FCA 1734, [2020] FCA 1729

      Mandie v Memart Nominees Pty Ltd [2017] VSCA 177 (Court of Appeal) (with R Gillies QC)

      McCarthy v Camil Holdings Pty Ltd [2016] VSCA 235 (Court of Appeal) (for the respondent)

      Mandie v Memart Nominees Pty Ltd [2016] VSC 267 (with R Gillies QC)

      Bolitho v Banksia Securities Ltd (Banksia Class Action) [2014] VSC 8 (with T Kelly QC)

      Bolitho v Banksia Securites Ltd (No 2) (2014) 100 ACSR 161; [2014] VSC 184

      Cosmopolitan Hotel v Crown (2014) 45 VR 771 (Court of Appeal) (with N Hopkins QC)

      Shaw v MAB Corporation Pty Ltd (2014) 220 FCR 425

      Shaw v Yarranova Pty Ltd [2014] VSCA 48 (Court of Appeal)

      Crown v Cosmoplitan Hotel [2013] VSC 614 (with N Hopkins QC)

      Shaw v MAB Corporation Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 1231 (with T Kelly QC)

      Point of Pay Pty Ltd v Darryl Roots [2012] VSC 380 (with P Solomon QC)

      MP Investments Nominees Pty Ltd v Bank of Western Australia [2012] VSC 43 (with P Solomon QC)

      Werner Motoring Group Pty Ltd v NMX Pty Ltd [2012] VSC 211

      Select Publications

      "Making Sense of Project Blue Sky" Melbourne 21 March 2012 (with Peter Hanks QC)

      "The Intersection between Administrative and Constitutional Law" Melbourne March 2013 (with Peter Hanks QC)

      "Preventative Detention. Constitutional Issues" March 2014 (with Peter Hanks QC)

      "Challenging Administrative Decisions; Constitutional Considerations" March 2015 (with Peter Hanks QC)

      "Constructive Jurisdictional Error" March 2016 (with Peter Hanks QC)

      "The Obligation of Procedural Fairness During Multistage Decision Making Processes" March 2017 (with Peter Hanks QC)

      Administrative Law: Disciplinary and Statutory Investigations September 2021 (with S Dawson)

      Reporter, Commonwealth Law Reports 2012-2015


      From 27 Oct 2011, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation approved under Professional Standards legislation.

    • Hayes Paul

      Advises and appears in cases at interlocutory, trial and appellate levels, (common law litigation, commercial & equity litigation, international law & arbitration, large scale litigation, constitutional & administrative law and sporting disputes), conducted in multiple jurisdictions, but primarily in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, London, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Lausanne. Frequently appears in common law jury cases and causes conducted in the Supreme and County Courts of Victoria, including in the field of defamation.

      Appointed a Senior Fellow (Course Director of the subject 'International Sports Arbitration') at Queen Mary University of London (School of Law) in 2022. Previously a Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne (Faculty of Law), 2010-2022. Recognised internationally in Who's Who Legal (2016-2025 editions) as a leading lawyer in the specialty of sports law and listed by Doyle’s Guide as a leading senior counsel in arbitration and administrative & public law.

      Holds degrees from the Queensland University of Technology (LLB) and the University of Cambridge (MSt). Prior to commencing practice at the Bar, practised as a Lawyer (1986 to 1990) at: Power & Power, Brisbane; Allen Allen & Hemsley (Allens), Sydney; and Baker & McKenzie, Sydney.

      Chambers located in Melbourne (Owen Dixon Chambers West, Level 9 - Dever's List) and London, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (39 Essex Chambers).

    • Batrouney Edward

      Ed has a broad commercial practice, including financial services, international arbitration, professional negligence, civil fraud, class actions, corporations, insolvency, and regulatory matters. He also acts in media / defamation matters and disciplinary proceedings.

      Ed has been recognised in Doyle's Guide as a leading commercial litigation and dispute resolution barrister since 2020.

      Ed has also been called to the Bar of England and Wales and is a member of Essex Court Chambers, a leading international law and arbitration set.

      Ed graduated with first class honours in law from Melbourne University and completed the BCL (Distinction) at the University of Oxford.

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

    • Lamb Paul

      Paul practises in common law for both plaintiffs and defendants / insurers.

      Paul has particular experience in medical negligence and also appears in public liability, product liability, class actions, professional disciplinary matters for medical practitioners and appeals. He frequently appears unled or leading.

      He is recommended by Doyle’s Guide in Insurance and Personal Injury Law and has been since 2019.

      Before coming to the bar, Paul was a senior associate at DLA Piper. He read with Judge Patricia Riddell and his senior mentor was Ross Gillies KC.

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

    • Wolahan Keith

      Keith practises in commercial and public law.

      He remained a Member of the Bar while serving as the Federal Member for Menzies (2022-2025), during which he sat on the Economics and National Anti-Corruption Commission Committees. Before coming to the Bar in 2010, he was a solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons and Ashurst.

      From 03/06/2010, Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.



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