Andrew practises predominantly in plaintiff personal injury common law and statutory schemes. He has extensive experience across all Victorian courts and tribunals in asbestos and chemical exposure, public liability, medical negligence, workers compensation, transport accident and institutional abuse. He appears frequently in the Supreme and County Courts, with extensive trial experience both led and unled.
Andrew has been recognised by his peers as pre-eminent Insurance Law Counsel in the Doyle’s Guide for the last two years.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Andrew was Principal of the National Asbestos and Public Liability practices of Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.
Andrew read with now Justice Jacinta Forbes QC, and his senior mentor was Michael Wilson QC.
Julia specialises in the common law and personal injury jurisdictions.
She is experienced in preparing, advising and appearing in all jurisdictions for both plaintiffs and defendants in serious injury applications common law and statutory benefits claims, including work accidents, transport accidents, sexual assault, public liability and medical negligence claims.
She prepares paperwork in all these areas and is briefed to appear in Melbourne and on circuit. She has also advised and appeared in judicial review and Appeal matters.
From 16 May 2013, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Viola has established a wide practice since coming to the Bar.
Viola practices in Common Law, General Insurance, Professional Negligence Administrative Law and Personal Injuries litigation including Transport Accidents and Inquests.
Viola is experienced in appearing alone in Serious Injury Applications and has appeared in jury trials as junior counsel.
Viola has extensive experience in criminal law and appears alone or led in Criminal trials.
Viola is an NMAS accredited mediator and has experience in mediating work place disputes - https://www.violakatotas.com.au
Outside her regular work Viola volunteers at Southport Community Legal Service Inc. and is a Committee member.
From 20th May 2011, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
Lachlan accepts briefs to advise and appear predominantly in common law matters, with a particular focus on personal injury, intentional torts and insurance law. He is available to appear in all metropolitan and regional courts.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Lachlan was Associate to Judge K L Bourke at the County Court of Victoria. As an Associate, he gained significant experience assisting Her Honour in the hearing and management of civil trials (both jury and judge alone), serious injury applications and a range of interlocutory matters. Lachlan also assisted Her Honour in the operation of the Infant Compromises List.
Lachlan is reading with Dugald McWilliams and his Senior Mentor is Ross Middleton QC.
From 8 May 2020, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Erin’s practice includes all major jurisdictions, including prosecution and defence work in criminal law, plaintiff and defendant work in common law, and family law.
Erin has extensive experience appearing in Royal Commission and inquiry work, including as counsel assisting.
From 25th Oct 2012, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Tamir has a broad practice in insurance, administrative and regulatory law (including investigations and merits / judicial review), coronial inquests and investigations, and common law with a specific focus in health and medical law and medical negligence. He has also acted for parties and water authorities in relation to water liability claims under specific state legislation.
Prior to coming to the bar, Tamir was a Special Counsel at Meridian Lawyers where he commenced as a solicitor in 2011. He has developed extensive experience and industry knowledge acting for allied health practitioners as well as medical practitioners and hospitals. He has extensive industry knowledge in pharmacy, dental and oral surgery, chiropractic / osteopathy, and other manual therapies, among other areas of professional practice.
Tamir has been a regular guest presenter on medico-legal and insurance topics including risk management, AHPRA and regulatory process, health records, coronial inquests and investigations.
Since 2016, he has presented each year to post-graduate students of Monash University’s Master of Public Health Administration course on the topic informed consent in healthcare.
Before coming to Meridian Lawyer, Tamir was a solicitor at DLA Phillips Fox in its dispute resolution and health law team in Melbourne, and a solicitor at Turks Legal before that.
During his career as a solicitor, Tamir has acted for health practitioners of almost all disciplines and other non-health professionals, in defence of malpractice allegations and in regulatory / disciplinary investigations. He has acted for interested parties in many coronial inquests, and as solicitor instructing Counsel Assisting the Coroner in several Coronial Inquests.
Tamir has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science (Genetics Major) from the University of Melbourne. He draws on his science background to understand and assist clients in relation to the technical matters which arise in disputes and litigation.
Tamir read with Ben Jellis. His Senior Mentor is Jeremy Ruskin KC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
Daniel has a broad appearance and advice practice, with particular expertise in equity and commercial law, common law and insurance, and criminal matters.
Daniel frequently acts in wills, probate, and estate matters, and in commercial and property cases involving allegations of breaches of trust and/or fiduciary duties.
Daniel also has experience in common law matters, particularly cases involving intentional torts and institutional abuse and the application of the Legal Identity of Defendants (Organisational Child Abuse) Act 2018 (Vic).
Daniel regularly appears in all Victorian courts and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), and in federal courts. Daniel regularly appears both at first instance and on appeal.
Daniel’s recent experience includes:
Before coming to the Bar, Daniel was a solicitor at Allens, an Associate to the Hon Justice Robson of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and an Associate to the Reserve Judges (including the Hon Justices Ashley, Bongiorno AO, and Coghlan) of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Law (Class I) from the University of Cambridge (where he was the Davis McCaughey Scholar).
Daniel has been an Honorary Fellow at Melbourne Law School (the University of Melbourne), where he has taught Equity and Trusts.
Daniel has published in a number of journals on a variety of subjects including negligence, product liability, and cultural property law (an area in which Daniel has particular interest and expertise). He is also a reporter for the Victorian Reports.
Please click here to see Daniel’s CV (which includes a complete list of publications and presentations).
Daniel read with Anthony Strahan (now QC) and Richard H Stanley, and his senior mentor is Chris Winneke QC.
From 6th May 2016, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Before commencing his career in the law, Simon spent 5 years working in Tokyo for the Australian North West Shelf Project (NWSP) Oil and Gas Division at Mitsubishi Corporation where he was engaged in economic analysis of the depletion of the NWSP oil and gas fields.
In 1993 he moved to North East England where he read Law at the University of Durham (1993-1996) and in 1997 completed his Legal Practice Certificate at the College of Law in York.
He worked for a Japanese bank in London before working in various law firms in Perth, WA. He then commenced work as an Australian Regular Army Legal Officer at the 1st Brigade in Darwin then worked as a prosecutor before he moved to William Forster Chambers in July 2005.
Simon is now a Reserve Navy Legal Officer. He is fluent in both French and Japanese. He was the Secretary/Treasurer of the NT Bar Association for several years, a member of the Criminal Lawyers Association of the NT (CLANT) Committee, member of NT Red Cross Division advisory board, chair of the International Humanitarian Law committee, a LEADR qualified Mediator and a Registered Adjudicator, Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act (NT). Simon completed his Master of Laws (University of Melbourne) in 2011. Simon was the honorary consul for the Kingdom of Belgium in the NT and also a visiting lecturer (military law) at Charles Darwin University.
From his extensive experience in criminal trials and appeals, Simon has developed expertise in all areas of the criminal law.
From 01 Jul 2016, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Monika's practise is primarily in the common law, where she has expertise in matters related to intentional torts, negligence (particularly novel duties of care) and personal injury. She has acted for many government clients in coronial inquests.
Monika also has significant public law experience, particularly in relation to public interest immunity. Monika also has a strong interest in media law, and has experience with injunctions, confidentiality and suppression, and closed court orders under the Open Courts Act 2013. She has also been involved in many quasi-criminal matters particularly in respect of the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 and subpoena objections.
Monika has over ten years' experience as a solicitor. Prior to coming to the Bar, Monika was a Managing Principal Solicitor in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Branch at the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office and had carriage of high-profile litigation on behalf of the State of Victoria and its departments.
Before her 8 years at the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office, Monika worked in Litigation and Banking and Finance Branches at Corrs Chambers Westgarth.
Monika read with Emrys Nekvapil and her senior mentor was Jeremy Ruskin QC.
Tanya has a broad practice with specific experience and interest in criminal, quasi-criminal, and regulatory matters.
She provides merits and strategic advice on all aspects of these matters.
Tanya's criminal practice is comprised of predominantly defence work in indictable proceedings. She appears both led and unled in trials and committals.
Tanya also appears in civil and migration matters where the subject matter involves criminal offending.
She came to the Bar with almost 10 years of experience in criminal law, which included appearance work and and the conduct of the prosecution of complex financial, sexual and homicide cases from initial stages through to trial.
Tanya worked as Associate to the Honourable Justice Kaye of the Victorian Supreme Court (then sitting in the Trial Division). She also worked for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
She has strong written advocacy skills and is able to produce high-quality and timely advice and written submissions.
Tanya also holds a Master of Science (Criminal Justice) from the University of Alabama, with a specialist focus on sexual offences.
Tanya is a member of the VLA Preferred Barrister List.
She read with Ben Ihle KC.
From 03 May 2018, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Damian practices in all jurisdictions in Australia.
He specialises in criminal law in each of the appellate and trial divisions of the Superior Courts and the Magistrates Court.
He further specialises in inquests, sports law and thoroughbred and harness racing.
He also appears generally in professional and trade disciplinary tribunals, liquor licensing and VCAT.
Jade has a broad appearance and paperwork practice. She practises mainly in torts, personal injuries, administrative law and quasi-criminal work.
Jade appears in a range of proceedings including common law trials, serious injury applications, coronial inquests, and reviews under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997.
Jade has experience in areas including negligence and intentional torts, breach of statutory duty, transport and workplace accidents, medical negligence, institutional abuse and historical adoption matters.
Before coming to the Bar, Jade was a Principal Solicitor with the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO), where she developed a general and diverse litigation practice for a range of government clients. Her portfolio spanned torts and breach of statute, general public law litigation, judicial review proceedings, and contempt of court matters.
Before joining the VGSO, Jade was in-house litigator with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), where she had carriage of files across the TAC jurisdiction including serious injury applications, jury trials for damages, VCAT reviews and some criminal prosecutions work.
Jade read with Roslyn Kaye KC and her senior mentor is Ben Ihle KC.
From 22 Oct 2021, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Patrick Santamaria practices predominantly in common law, with a focus on medical negligence, institutional abuse, traffic accident and work injury matters.
Patrick also accepts briefs to appear at commissions, inquires, and disciplinary proceedings, as well as in criminal law matters.
He accepts briefs to appear in all Victorian Courts, led and unled, at trial and appellate level, including at interlocutory applications. He also appears at mediations, statutory conferences, and early settlement conferences.
Prior to signing the Bar Roll, Patrick was a solicitor at Galbally & O’Bryan. He worked on a wide range of common law proceedings for both Plaintiffs and Defendants, as well as on various criminal law matters.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne.
He read with Dugald McWilliams and his senior mentor was Jeremy Ruskin KC.
Carly practices predominantly in corporate and commercial litigation, tort and insurance law. She practices across Victoria and Tasmania.
Before joining the independent Bar in Western Australia in 2016 she held Special Counsel and Senior Associate roles in the commercial litigation groups of Allion Partners, Holman Fenwick Willan LLP and Talbot Olivier Lawyers. She completed her early career years in personal injury and insurance litigation, including within the statutory workers’ compensation and compulsory third party motor vehicle insurance regimes.
Carly holds degrees in Law and Economics from the University of Western Australia and a Masters in International Relations from Curtin University of Technology.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
In her practice as a barrister, Amy predominately appears in personal injury related matters. She appears both on her own and with senior counsel, in all jurisdictions in which such matters are litigated. As well as appearing in personal injury matters, Amy also accepts briefs to advise and draft paperwork, including but not limited to, "Serious Injury" Applications, Interrogatories and Medical Panel Referrals.
Amy has a particular interest and ability in sporting tribunal work, coronal inquests and summary crime, and since coming to the Bar she has provided advice and appeared in these areas in various matters.
Amy is an accredited mediator.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Amy was the Associate to His Honour Judge Hicks at the County Court of Victoria. As an Associate, Amy acquired a wealth of experience in both the personal injury and criminal law jurisdictions (including the Racing Appeals Tribunal). Prior to working as a Judge's Associate, Amy worked for a boutique commercial law firm and a prior to that, with a criminal law sole practitioner.
Amy is a member of the Compensation Law Bar Association and the Criminal Law Bar Association.
Personal Injury, Medical Negligence, Product Liability.
Matt is an experienced trial and appellate advocate, and practices extensively in the Supreme Court (including the Court of Appeal) and County Court in the following areas:
Qualifications - Legal
Qualifications - Other
Work History
ANZ Banking Group Ltd, Melbourne (Capital markets).
Phillips Fox Adelaide - Clerkship.
Fisher Jeffries Adelaide - Clerkship.
HWL Ebsworth Adelaide (formely Kelly &Co) - Articles/lawyer.
Barrister @ Vic Bar since 1997 and @ SA Bar 2018
Read with James Peters AM, KC.
Bar Positions Present
Bar Positions Past
Readers/Mentorship
Mentor to 8 readers.
Stewart Pinkstone, Ramon Fowler, Gary Taylor, Peter Haddad,
Glenn Worth, Robyn Harper, Jacqueline Lontos, Ian Lloyd.
Chambers
From 10 August 2011, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Daniel practises in common law with a focus on medical malpractice litigation, public liability claims and institutional abuse claims and appears for both plaintiffs and defendants.
In his medical malpractice claims Daniel has acted for plaintiffs of all ages with minor injuries through to catastrophic injuries. He has also acted for health service providers and regularly appears in inquests.
Daniel has been ranked as a leading junior counsel in professional indemnity by Doyle's Guide in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and as a recommended junior counsel in insurance in the 2019 Doyle's guide.
In his public liability claims Daniel has represented individuals who have suffered injury as well as defendants sued as occupiers or manufacturers including acting for providers of recreational pursuits.
Daniel also has extensive experience in making applications at various stages of litigation including privilege applications, discovery applications, stay applications and extension of time applications.
Daniel worked as a Senior Associate at DLA Piper in the Insurance Litigation team before coming to the bar in 2008. Daniel was trained and educated in England before being admitted to practice in New South Wales in 2003 and Victoria in 2004.
The Hon Jennifer Davies KC is a retired judge of the Federal Court of Australia and during her time on the bench was the national co-ordinating judge of the Taxation National Practice Area. Prior to her appointment to the Federal Court she was a judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria, sitting in the Commercial Court division and before then, a member of the Bar from May 1983. She took silk in 2004.
She is an Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Melbourne lecturing in postgraduate courses and on the Melbourne University Tax Advisory board. She is also on the board of the International Association of Tax Judges and is a member of the Australian Academy of Law, the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law and the International Fiscal Association, and a Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia.
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.
Owen has a broad commercial practice with a focus on complex disputes primarily encompassing issues of contract and misleading or deceptive conduct, as well as proceedings in respect of superannuation, commercial leasing and professional misconduct. Experience includes injunctive relief, mediation, trials and appeal proceedings in Victoria and the Federal Court. Owen also regularly advises on commercial issues and manages interlocutory proceedings.
Matters that Owen has been briefed on since coming to the bar include:
Whirlpool (Australia) Pty Ltd v Castel Electronics Pty Ltd, for Castel (with Andrew Bailey, led by Leslie Glick KC) (settled)
FSS Trustee Corporation v Eastaugh [2016] VSC 636, for Alfred Health (with Hamish Austin)
Cargill Australia Limited v Viterra Malt Pty Ltd [2022] VSC 13, for Viterra and Glencore (led by Allan Myers AC KC, Suresh Senathirajah KC and Stephen Parmenter KC) (judgment delivered January 2022 after a trial of 113 days)
Marton v Australian Taekwondo including in the Court of Arbitration for Sport 2021/A/7945 (led by Paul Hayes KC)
Tansley v Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, for Mr Tansley MD FRCS (with Stephen Moloney, led by Allan Myers AC KC) (settled)
Jieyun International Investments Pty Ltd v Toorak Development Group Pty Ltd [2022] VSC 387, for Jieyun (led by Paul Hayes KC)
Teico Investments Pty Ltd v WA Blue Gum Limited, for Teico (led by Peter Cawthorn KC) (settled)
Davis v Department of Health [2022] VCAT 718, for the Honourable David Davis (unled)
Scheme of arrangement for Security Matters Limited. Hearings included (No 3) [2023] FCA 140, for Security Matters (led by Carl Moller SC, with Monique Hardinge)
Nottingham v Australian Financial Complaints Authority [2023] FCA 58, for Australian Super (unled)
Tratter v Aware Super [2023] FCA 491, and on appeal Tratter v Aware Super [2023] FCAFC 36, for Aware Super (unled)
Merkon Constructions Pty Ltd v Residence Company Pty Ltd & another, for Merkon (led by Michael Galvin KC) (ongoing)
In the Cargill Australia matter, in addition to appearing at trial and on appeal Owen was also closely involved with numerous interlocutory matters including:
Plus hearings as to final orders and appeal rulings in the Cargill Australia matter:
Prior to coming to the bar, Owen was a solicitor with Herbert Smith Freehills where he acted for companies across banking, investment, mining, electricity, and retail. Owen is experienced in advising companies who are defending complex claims brought in contract, negligence, or breach of statutory obligations. Owen also worked on a number of class actions, acting for large listed companies in shareholder claims, as well as for the electricity distributor in the Victorian bushfires claims.
In 2013, Owen joined the Office of Crown Counsel in the Victorian Government where he advised the Attorney-General and the Department of Justice on policy implementation, policy development, human rights compatibility, and other general legal matters.
Owen’s academic achievements include first-class honours in law from Monash University, where he won the subject prize for Restrictive Trade Practices.
Owen read with Stephen Parmenter KC, and his senior mentor is Philip Solomon KC.
From 30 Oct 2015, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.