Search Results

  • Turner Peter

    Peter Turner qualified as a solicitor at Mallesons Stephen Jaques in Sydney (2003) after serving as Tipstaff in the New South Wales Court of Appeal (2002). He taught law for a decade at Cambridge University as a Fellow of St Catharine’s College, leaving as a University Senior Lecturer in 2019 to return to Australia. Since then he has taught at the Melbourne Law School as an Honorary Senior Fellow (2020), and for the University of Hong Kong, of which he is a Visiting Associate Professor. He is a member of the International Advisory Committee appointed by the American Law Institute to assist with its Restatement of the Law Fourth, Property.

    Peter is interested in all areas of civil law and has published on equity, remedies, insolvency, real property, security and the taxation of trusts. His sole-authored publications have been relied on in judgments of the High Court of Australia, the U.K. Supreme Court and other superior courts. He is an author of the fifth edition of Meagher, Gummow and Lehane’s Equity: Doctrines and Remedies.

    Peter’s mentor is Charles Parkinson and his senior mentor is Philip Solomon Q.C.

    From 7 May 2021, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

  • Heeley Jack

    Jack Heeley practises in commercial law and has particular expertise in building, construction and engineering disputes.

    During his ten years at the Bar, Jack has acted in:

    • numerous building and construction proceedings before the Supreme Court and the County Court, including cases for some of Australia's leading construction companies;
    • a wide range of commercial arbitrations;
    • Supreme Court class actions;
    • a variety of general commercial matters before the superior courts and the County Court;
    • VCAT proceedings, including, in particular, domestic building disputes and proceedings under the Water Act 1989.

    For a selection of his recent and significant cases click here.

    Jack completed his Articles at Mallesons Stephen Jaques and thereafter practised as a solicitor in the firm's dispute resolution group. While at Mallesons, he acted on a broad range of commercial matters with a focus on construction litigation and arbitration.

    Immediately prior to coming to the Bar, Jack was an Associate at the Supreme Court of Victoria, first to the Hon. Justice Byrne, Principal Judge of the Commercial & Equity Division, and then to the Hon. Justice Bongiorno of the Court of Appeal.

    Jack completed his Law degree (First Class Honours) at Monash University and holds a Bachelor of Planning and Design (Dean's Honours) with a Property and Construction major from the University of Melbourne.

    From 20 May 2011, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

  • O'Sullivan Meg

    Meg’s principal areas of practice comprise commercial, common law, property, equity & trusts, insurance law and torts.

    Meg has a busy trial and advice practice. She appears in all state courts and tribunals and the federal court.

    Meg accepts direct briefs (including from in-house counsel).

    Meg is a member of the Executive of the Commercial Bar Association and a member of the Bar’s Pro-Bono Committee. She is a former member of the Victorian Bar Council; the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee of the Victorian Bar; and the Counsel Committee of the Victorian Bar.

    Prior to being called to the Bar, Meg was a solicitor at Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons). Meg has an honours degree in Philosophy. At University, she was an accomplished mooter and debater and won the World University Debating Championships.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

  • Emily Riordan

    Emily has a broad practice in commercial law and general litigation.

    Before joining the bar, Emily worked as a senior in-house lawyer at Ford Motor Company. Prior to this, Emily was a Senior Associate at CIE Legal and an Associate at Covington & Burling LLP in London. She completed her articles at Minter Ellison in 2006.

    Emily is well versed in operating within different industries and regulatory environments, and accepts briefs directly from in-house counsel.

    Emily was also admitted to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales and holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Science from Monash University.

    Emily read with Naomi Hodgson and her senior mentor is Robert Heath KC.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Minson Rowan

    Rowan has a broad practice in public, commercial, taxation and employment law.

    Before coming to the Bar, Rowan served as Counsel Assisting the Commonwealth Solicitor-General, Dr Stephen Donaghue QC, and as Associate to the Hon Justice Virginia Bell AC of the High Court of Australia. He also practised as a commercial solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons and as a senior solicitor in the constitutional and administrative law team at the NSW Crown Solicitor's Office.

    Rowan holds degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Melbourne, which he attended as a Commonwealth Scholar, and a Bachelor of Civil Law from the University of Oxford, where he studied as an Allan Myers KC Scholar.

    Rowan is currently Assistant Honorary Secretary of the Victorian Bar and a Committee member of the Public Law Section of the Commercial Bar Association.

    Rowan has served as a Fellow of the Melbourne Law School, Editor of the Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal and Associate Editor of the Melbourne University Law Review. He has published work in the Australian Journal of Labour Law and is a member of the Australian Association of Constitutional Law and the Australian Institute of Administrative Law. He is also a reporter for the Victorian Reports.

    Rowan read with Kathleen Foley SC and his senior mentor is Philip Solomon KC.

    Cases in which Rowan has been briefed to appear include:

    Commercial / building and construction law

    • Biodiversity Sub TC Pty Ltd v Vaughan Constructions Pty Ltd (led by K Foley SC, for the first third party)
    • Aquasure Pty Ltd v Thiess Pty Ltd; Suez Water Pty Ltd v Siemens Ltd (led by P Solomon QC, for the Thiess Degremont joint venture interests)
    • 300Q Pty Ltd v Capouleas [2021] VBAB 171; [2022] VBAB 47 (unled, for the interested party)
    • Blue Cross Community Care Services Pty Ltd v Grogan [2020] VBAB 74; [2021] VBAB 19; [2021] VBAB 167 (led by C Horan QC, for the applicant)
    • DIHAB Pty Ltd v Station Ten Pty Ltd [2020] VBAB 38; [2020] VBAB 64; DIHAB Pty Ltd v Shaw [2020] VBAB 39; [2020] VBAB 69 (unled, for the respondent/first interested party)
    • Argyrou v Victorian Building Authority [2019] VSC 721 (led by J Pizer QC, for the plaintiff)
    • Oxanda Childcare Pty Ltd v MAAG Developments Pty Ltd, M118/2018, HCASL (led by J Gleeson SC and K Foley for the applicant)

    Constitutional law

    • Vella v Chief Commissioner of Police (NSW) (2019) 269 CLR 219; [2019] HCA 38 (led by K Walker QC, for the Victorian Attorney-General, intervening)
    • Minogue v Victoria (2019) 268 CLR 1; [2019] HCA 31 (led by C Horan QC and A Solomon-Bridge, for the plaintiff)
    • Commissioner of Taxation v Thomas (2018) 264 CLR 382; [2018] HCA 31 (led by S Donaghue QC and K Foley, for the Commonwealth Attorney-General, intervening)

    Administrative / general public law

    • Attorney-General v Temssah [2024] VSC 172; [2024] VSC 328 (led by G Coghlan KC, E Bennett KC and C Tran, with C O'Neil, for the Attorney-General)
    • DCL22 v Sage [2022] FCA 1310; [2022] FCAFC 196 (led by S Maharaj KC, for the respondents)
    • Heiner v Minister for Home Affairs [2021] FCA 212; [2021] FCA 1125; [2022] FCAFC 81 (unled, for the first respondent)
    • Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) v Brookman [2020] VSC 890R (led by N Robinson QC and A Yuile, for the Crown)
    • Medical Board of Australia v Leow [2019] VSC 532 (led by P Solomon QC and S Cash, for the respondent)
    • Thomas v The University of Melbourne [2019] VCAT 1043; [2019] VCAT 1723; [2020] VCAT 413 (unled, for the respondent)
    • Fauna and Flora Research Collective Inc v Secretary, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, VSC (led by P Gray QC and K Foley, for the Plaintiff)

    Common law

    • Keay v Metro Trains Melbourne Pty Ltd [2024] HCASL 16 (led by S Gladman SC, for the Respondent)

    Tax / revenue law

    • Sladden and Commissioner of Taxation [2023] AATA 3815; [2024] FCAFC 122 (led by G Davies KC, for the Commissioner)
    • Beech v Commissioner of State Revenue [2023] VCAT 1363 (unled, for the Applicant)
    • Trustee for the Lubiana Family Trust and Commissioner of Taxation [2022] AATA 2626 (unled, for the Commissioner)
    • Comptroller-General of Customs v Zappia (2018) 265 CLR 416; [2018] HCA 54 (led by S Donaghue QC and D Thomas, for the appellant)

    Employment / discrimination law

    • Ferrigno v Qantas Airways Limited [2023] FCA 1044 (led by R Dalton KC for the respondent)
    • Qube Ports Pty Ltd v Burkhardt [2022] FWC 588; [2022] FWCFB 65 (led by J Tracey, for the appellant)
    • Johnson v CUB Pty Ltd [2021] FCAFC 219; [2022] HCASL 83 (led by F Parry QC and J Tracey, for the first respondent)
    • Roohizadegan v TechnologyOne Limited (2020) 301 IR 1; [2020] FCA 1729; [2020] FCA 1571; [2020] FCA 1734; (2021) 309 IR 262; [2021] FCAFC 137; [2021] HCASL 249 (led by B Walker AO SC and J Tracey, for the applicant)
    • Von Schoeler v Allen Taylor & Co Ltd (t/a Boral Timber) [2019] FCA 941; (2020) 273 FCR 189; [2020] FCAFC 13 (led by J Tracey, for the appellant)

      Migration law

      • DSN16 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2021] FCA 202 (unled, for the first respondent)
      • AGO17 v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2021] FCCA 278 (appeal dismissed) (unled, for the first respondent)
      • DOU16 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2019] FCCA 1367; (2019) 272 FCR 358; [2019] FCAFC 212 (unled, for the first respondent)
      • Ranouta v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2019] FCCA 2118; [2020] FCA 235 (unled, for the first respondent)
      • AFB17 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2019] FCCA 478 (unled, for the first respondent)


      Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

    • Berlic Georgia

      Georgia has substantial trial and interlocutory experience across a broad range of practice areas with a focus on commercial, corporations, property and common law matters. She appears regularly in all courts and tribunals (both as junior counsel and unled).

      Before coming to the Bar, Georgia was the Senior Associate to the Honourable Justice Kennedy.

      Georgia read with Kate Anderson and her senior mentor is the Honourable Justice Peter Riordan.

      Example list of cases:


      Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

    • Paula Piccinini

      Paula signed the bar roll in 1997 practising in family law, family violence and Children’s Court matters.

      She left the bar to work in the family violence sector. Paula held managerial roles at InTouch, the Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence and the Eastern Domestic Violence Service. From 2019 to 2022, she was CEO of Refuge Victoria, the largest family violence refuge service in Victoria accommodating a thousand people per year with 50 staff and an annual budget of $6 million.

      She re-signed the bar roll in July 2022 resuming her practice bringing a deep and broad understanding of the family violence sector. She is also a qualified and experienced Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.

      Paula believes in giving back to the community and has held numerous governance roles including serving as:

      • Non-Executive Director of the RACV 2006 to 2015
      • Director and Chair of the RACV Community Foundation 2009-2017
      • School Council Secretary and President of her children’s primary school 2010-2014
      • Director and Chair of the Eastern Domestic Violence Service 2010-2016
      • Local Government Councillor for the City of Manningham 2016-2020
      • Mayor of the City of Manningham 2018-19

      She is married with three children and the sister of the renowned Australian artist, Patricia Piccinini.

    • Glacken Sturt

      Sturt Glacken has a broad commercial and public law practice with emphasis on appellate work in equity and judicial review. He has appeared in a range of prominent cases in the High Court, Federal Court and Supreme Courts. Prior to coming to the Bar, Sturt was a solicitor at Minter Ellison, and a legal policy adviser in the Federal and State Parliaments.

      For more detail, including key cases in which Sturt has appeared, see linked curriculum vitae.

      From 01 Jul 2008, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

    • Chris Kaias

      Chris practises primarily in commercial, public, regulatory, and employment law. He accepts briefs in sports law and criminal matters.

      He has expertise in matters involving the protection of personal and confidential information.

      Commercial and property law

      Chris acts in all areas of commercial law, particularly matters involving breaches of fiduciary duties, directors’ duties, and the protection of confidential information. He also acts in matters involving incorporated associations.

      He has appeared unled in commercial matters in all Victorian courts, including the Supreme Court.

      His property law practice includes acting in real property disputes and leasing disputes.

      He appears in urgent applications, including applications for injunctions and freezing orders.

      Employment and discrimination law

      Chris acts in employment matters, including contractual restraint matters, general protections matters, unfair dismissals, and matters involving workplace privacy. He has experience in underpayment and long service leave matters, including those relating to portable long service leave schemes.

      He acts in discrimination matters under state and federal discrimination and equal opportunity legislation.

      Public law, regulatory, and criminal law

      Chris acts in judicial and merits review matters, regularly appearing in the Review and Regulation list at VCAT.

      He represents clients in professional disciplinary, privacy and freedom of information matters in State and Federal jurisdictions, including representing Government departments and agencies.

      Chris also acts in criminal and quasi-criminal matters, including occupational health and safety matters, regulatory prosecutions, and coronial inquests. He regularly appears unled in County Court conviction appeal matters.

      Sports law

      Chris represents athletes and sporting bodies at hearings before sporting tribunals, including appearing before the AFL Tribunal and AFL Appeals Board.

      Background

      Before coming to the Bar, Chris represented clients in highly regulated industries, including government, health, private health insurance, gambling, and energy.

      Chris was Associate to the Hon Justice Hargrave while his Honour was Principal Judge of the Commercial Court at the Supreme Court of Victoria, and then a judge of the Court of Appeal.

      Chris has a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne. He also has a Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics.

      Chris read with Tom Smyth. His senior mentor is Ben Ihle KC.




      Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

    • Ivana Smojver

      Ivy accepts briefs in all areas of law, and has a particular interest in common law, commercial law, coronial inquests, employment and insurance matters.

      Before coming to the Bar, Ivy was an associate to the Hon. Chief Justice Ferguson at the Supreme Court of Victoria.

      Earlier, she practised as a solicitor at Corrs Chambers Westgarth in the commercial disputes team where she specialised in investigations and public inquiries, personal injury, and regulatory matters. She has acted in high profile Royal Commissions, government inquiries and coronial inquests, including most recently, the Victorian Hotel Quarantine Board of Inquiry. Whilst at Corrs, Ivy was also seconded to a multinational mining company as a workplace investigator.

      Ivy holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Commerce from the Australian National University.

      Ivy is reading with Elle Nikou Madalin and her Senior Mentors are Ben Jellis SC and Jeremy Ruskin KC.

      Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

    • Isabelle Murphy

      Isabelle practices predominantly in common law with a particular focus on personal injury, medical negligence and insurance law. Isabelle is available for both plaintiff and defendant briefs.

      Isabelle has extensive personal injury experience, practicing exclusively in personal injury litigation since 2013, with a particular focus in WorkCover, Transport Accident, Public Liability (including Product Liability and Consumer Law), Medical Negligence and Institutional Abuse claims. Prior to coming to the bar, Isabelle was a Senior Associate with a busy litigation practice.

      Prior to that Isabelle was the Senior Associate to Judge Philip Misso at the County Court of Victoria, during which time his Honour sat as head of the Damages & Compensation/Serious Injury List.

      Isabelle read with David Oldfield and her senior mentor is Maria Pilipasidis SC.

      Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

    • Dixon Anna

      Anna practices in criminal and quasi criminal matters (including white-collar crime, OH&S prosecutions, regulatory and disciplinary matters), and in common law. She has trial experience as both as junior counsel and as sole counsel.

      Anna has also appeared in the Court of Appeal and has experience in preparing written cases.

      Anna practices in the regulatory sphere and has appeared before VCAT, ASIC and the National Sports Tribunal. She has a particular interest in disciplinary proceedings involving healthcare workers.

      Prior to coming to the bar, Anna completed a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) and a Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne. Upon graduation, she worked as a solicitor advocate at the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia for two years, after which she performed the same role at Matthew White and Associates (in Melbourne) for 18 months.

      Anna read with Chris Carr S.C., and Neill Murdoch S.C. is her senior mentor.

      From 8 May 2020, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

    • Cooper Gemma-Jane

      Gemma-Jane specialises in claims arising from personal injuries including workplace & transport accidents, public liability, medical negligence, institutional abuse and coronial inquests. She acts for both plaintiff and defendant clients.


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

    • Popova Karina

      Karina has a successful practice encompassing common law, criminal law, coronial work and regulatory proceedings.

      She has a strong interest in cases involving personal injury law, medical negligence and historical sex abuse. Since coming to the Bar she has appeared in a wide range of matters in the Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Supreme Court. She accepts briefs to represent Plaintiffs and Defendants in trials and appeals.

      Karina’s coronial practice has included investigations into death in custody, bushfires, road rescue and applications to re-open investigations. She has appeared on behalf of the CFA, families and other interested parties.

      Karina’s regulatory practice includes advising and appearing on behalf of medical professionals.

      Prior to coming to the Bar, Karina was the associate to the Hon. Justice Kaye at the Supreme Court of Victoria, during which time his Honour sat in the Common Law and Criminal Law Divisions, as well as the Court of Appeal.

      Karina has previously worked as a solicitor at Abrahams Meese Lawyers, where she had a general commercial practice. Since coming to the Bar, Karina has continued providing advice in commercial disputes and has appeared in trials, applications and mediations.

      Before admission as a solicitor, Karina worked as a paralegal at criminal law firms and volunteered at Moonee Valley Legal Service.

      Karina is fluent in Russian and understands Ukrainian.

      Karina read with Chris Winneke QC and her senior mentor is Dr. Matthew Collins QC.

      Karina has a Masters of Laws from The University of Melbourne.


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

    • The Hon. John Digby KC

      We are pleased to announce that The Honourable John Digby KC, who has recently retired from the Supreme Court of Victoria, has returned to Devers List and is available to undertake Arbitration, Expert Evaluations and Mediation work.

      John was admitted to practice and joined the Victorian Bar in 1979, and was appointed Queens Counsel 1993.

      In 2012 John was appointed to the Supreme Court of Victoria and sat as a judge in the Commercial List, and was during his appointment the Judge in Admiralty and Judge in Charge of the Technology, Engineering and Construction List.

      While at the Bar John built a reputation as a leading commercial barrister specialising in engineering and construction matters and appeared in numerous large and complex Court proceedings and major municipal and International Arbitrations both in Australia and abroad. John also acted as an Arbitrator.

      John was a Senior Fellow of the Law school of Melbourne University and lectured part time for more than a decade in the Masters Course in International Construction Law focusing on International Arbitration Law.

      John has served for more than a decade as a Director and the Treasurer of the Australian Academy of Law and is a past President of the Commercial Bar Association of the Victorian Bar. John served on the Executive of the Victorian Bar Council and was Chairman of the Victorian Bar in 2008-2009.

      John is Chairman of Barristers Chambers Limited and Chairman of the Victorian Bar Foundation, and Chairman of the Victorian Commercial Arbitration Scheme.

    • Waters James

      James is a specialist in large, complex litigation and is regularly briefed in technical, engineering, and construction disputes, insurance matters and class actions.

      James advises and appears in bet-the-farm litigation and arbitration for commercial parties , achieving the very best results. He is approachable, diligent and deploys strategic nous to gain advantage for his clients over the real issues in dispute. He is regularly briefed in technical disputes for contractors, principals and consultants.

      Prior to the Bar, James was an Associate at Allens in the construction disputes and commercial litigation teams. His practice included advising construction and engineering clients on complex construction and technical disputes and the administration of major projects.

      Prior to his legal career, James worked as a mechatronics engineer in construction, industrial and consulting environments. As an engineer, James was involved in the construction of a major arterial transport link and consulted in relation to the design, installation and commissioning of a diverse range of bespoke robotics in various industrial settings.

      James read with Simon T Pitt and his senior mentor is Jeremy Twigg QC.

      LinkedIn & CV Link

      Recent matters include:

      • Cudlee Creek bushfire class action (ongoing) South Australian Supreme Court, acting for the plaintiff class involving substantial technical expert evidence, led by Gerard Dalton KC
      • Numerous flammable cladding matters: appearing unled for plaintiffs, consultants and builders in matters relating to Aluminium Composite Panel and EPS cladding, since acting for the fire engineer in the Lacrosse Apartments litigation (Tanah Merah Vic Pty Ltd (ACN 098 935 490) v Owners Corporation No 1 of PS613436T [2021] VSCA 72 - led by Tim Margetts KC)
      • Defending claims against HVAC designer ACT Supreme Court, unled (resolved)
      • Renewable energy:
        • Civil penalty proceedings by the Australian Energy Regulator in relation to the South Australian Black System Event 2018, for the AER, ongoing (led by Dr Ruth Higgins SC, Tom Clarke). Settlement approval of proceedings:
          • Australian Energy Regulator v AGL HP 1 Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 737 (Besanko J);
          • Australian Energy Regulator v Pacific Hydro Clements Gap Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 733 (White J);
          • Australian Energy Regulator v HWF 1 Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 732 (White J); and
          • Australian Energy Regulator v Snowtown Wind Farm Stage 2 Pty Ltd [2020] FCA 1845 (White J).
        • Renewable energy construction dispute for contractor in dispute with international wind turbine manufacturer in the Victorian Supreme Court (led by Tim Margetts KC); acting for crane contractor in disputes;
      • Arbitration:
        • large-scale infrastructure / public-private partnership social infrastructure dispute, $90m claim against professional adviser under ACICA rules. Resolved (led by Tim Margetts KC);
        • Acting for developer re $3m claims against civil contractor (unled);
        • successful resistance of challenge to arbitral jurisdiction (Lin Tiger Plastering Pty Ltd v Platinum Construction (Vic) Pty Ltd [2018] VSC 221) (unled);
        • Restraint of trade dispute for a large industrial parts business (and associated Supreme Court action) (led by Richard Attiwill KC);
        • Dispute involving the software and control systems on large agricultural machinery for a US-based manufacturer (unled);
      • Insurance proceedings:
        • $40m claim for business interruption and material damage under project special risks policy, Federal Court. Led by Gerard Dalton KC (resolved);
        • Successful defence of subrogated recovery concerning large fire Mahony v Logan [2019] VCC 1586. Led by Gerard Dalton KC;
        • Contamination of food and beverage products. Led by Gerard Dalton KC (resolved);
        • Successful defence of claim against solicitors Finch v Arnold Thomas and Becker Pty Ltd [2018] VCC 54 (led by Aileen Ryan KC, and then unled).
      • Building and construction matters: Security of Payment claims, various commercial / industrial and domestic building disputes in the County Court and VCAT relating to defects, quality, delays, costs; Klau v Elliot [2020] VCAT 1422; Slab heave matters (resolved); developer and builder disputes (resolved); F Bouhoussein Pty Ltd v Mackie Pty Ltd [2019] VCAT 1470; defects disputes (resolved); advising on various standard form contracts, including AS2124, AS4000-series, HIA, MBC4
      • Building Appeals Board and disciplinary proceedings (and associated administrative law reviews), including as Counsel Assisting and defending Building Practitioners' Board Inquiries and VBA Show Cause investigations into the conduct of Registered Building Practitioners; BAB proceedings involving building surveyors' conduct; protection works; approval of aluminium composite panels

      Other commercial law matters:

      • Dove Investments Pty Ltd v Mallee Track Health and Community Service [2016] VCC 1055 (led by Aileen Ryan QC)
      • Oppression proceedings;
      • Appearing in relation to a joint venture dispute regarding contributions made to a substantial residential property development;
      • Various sale of business / assets disputes, involving misrepresentations, Australian Consumer Law claims and common law claims; Kapila (Trustee), in the matter of Edelsten (Bankrupt) (No 2) [2016] FCA 1269 in relation to a dispute as to the application of US and Australian bankruptcy provisions
      • Acting for a substantial trading trust in a family / matrimonial dispute;
      • Applications for constructive and resulting trusts in family business disputes;
      • Various Pt IV of the Administration & Probate Act 1958 applications for testators family maintenance;
      • Applications for non-party costs orders;
      • Appearing for and defending claims under the Legal Profession Act 2004 and Legal Profession Uniform Law;

      James is member of:

      • the Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand;
      • the Melbourne Marine Insurance Forum;
      • the Society of Construction Lawyers Australia; and
      • Melbourne TEC Chambers (MTECC).

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

    • Anderson Adrian

      Adrian is an advocate practising in sports law, disciplinary tribunals and appeals, defamation, suppression orders, contempt, common law/personal injuries, criminal and general commercial law. He brings to the Bar experience as a senior executive in major professional sport.

      A former partner in the commercial litigation division of Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Adrian was General Manager of Football Operations of the AFL from 2004-2012 establishing the AFL’s integrity unit, tribunal system and heading negotiations such as the Collective Bargaining Agreement. At Corrs, he was the principal media law advisor to the Herald Sun and 3AW. He also acted for the AFL Players’ Association, the Australian Cricketers’ Association, Greyhound Racing Victoria, and professional athletes in disciplinary matters, anti-doping cases and contractual disputes.

      Immediately prior to joining the Bar, Adrian:

      • conducted an integrity review for Cricket Australia concerning the threats of match fixing and doping
      • was appointed interim CEO of Cycling Australia by the Australian Sports Commission to implement governance and financial reform
      • conducted a player welfare review on behalf of the NRL.

      He has recently appeared in:

      • Defamation, ACL and injurious falsehood proceedings in the Supreme Court and County Court
      • Disciplinary tribunals and appeals in the Supreme Court , Court of Appeal, VCAT, the Victorian Racing Tribunal, the Racing Appeals Tribunal NSW, and the AFL, VFL and Football Victoria tribunals
      • A rape trial in the County Court
      • County Court negligence matters and serious injury applications
      • General commercial and criminal law matters
      • Court of Appeal matters.

      He is a committee member of the Melbourne Cricket Club, the National Golf Club, Chairman of MyGolf (JV between Golf Australia and PGA Australia), a Cricket Australia Conduct Commissioner, Chair of the Independent Integrity Division Hearing Panel of the Victorian Amateur Football Association, and Member of the Rules Committee of Harness Racing Australia. He has the indictable crime certificate.

      Recent matters in which Adrian has appeared include:

      Sports and other disciplinary matters:

      • Football Victoria v Nunawading Football Club, Theo, Khalfallah and ors, FV Tribunal, 14 July 2021
      • Counsel for Athletics Australia in selection disputes for Tokyo Olympics 2021
      • Bailey Fritsch, AFL Tribunal, 4 May 2021
      • Douglas and Tormey v HRV [2021] VSCA 128
      • Goodrich v Kilmore Racing Club and Racing Victoria [2021] VSC 20 (strike out application re claims of breach of contract, denial of natural justice, restraint of trade)
      • AFL/VFL Tribunal appearances for Essendon and GWS players 2015 - 2021, recently Ryan Angwin 30 March 2021
      • Douglas and Tormey v HRV [2020] VSC 568 (re jurisdiction of VCAT)
      • RV v Richard Laming (application to test RV sample, Judge Bowman, VRT, 21 April 2020)
      • Dr Brennan v Veterinary Practitioners Board (stay application, Senior Member Wentworth, 28 February 2020)
      • Des Dooley v Greyhound Racing Victoria [2020] VCAT 189 (life ban reduced due to special circumstances)
      • Jeff Tabone v HRV [2019] VCAT 1701 (TCO2 presentation charge - alleged material flaw in testing procedure)
      • Scott Dyer v HRV, VCAT, 8 October 2019 (appeal on penalty - involvement in race fixing)
      • HRV v Tormey and Douglas, RADB (Chair Judge Hicks), 24-25 September 2019, (tubing charge)
      • Diane Dooley v GRV [2019] VCAT 1514 with Brendan Murphy QC ('special circumstances' under GRV Rules)
      • Toby Greene v AFL, AFL Appeals Board (Chair Murray Kellam QC), 19 September 2019 , with Ross Gillies QC
      • AFLQ v Jason Burge, Tribunal 4 September 2019, and Appeal 10 September 2019
      • WRFL v Deer Park FC, VFL Disciplinary Committee, 27 August 2019 (salary cap charges)
      • Racing Victoria v Monica Croston, RADB (Chair Judge Bowman), 17 July 2019 (cobalt administration charge)
      • RNSW v David Brideoake, Stewards' inquiry before Mr Van Gestel, decision published 18 June 2019
      • HRV v Scott Dyer, RADB, 22 May 2019 (merits, corrupt conduct, and interference with test charges)
      • GRV v Des and Diane Dooley, RADB, 29 January 2019
      • HRV v Jack, Pitt and Bartley [2018] VCAT 1981 with Chris Winneke QC, and RADB 16 November 2018 (stay application and appeal)
      • Tardio v HRV, Cavanough J, [2018] VSC 722, and previous application to vacate stay 20/11/18
      • Cameron Fitzpatrick v HRNSW, Racing Appeals Tribunal NSW, 19 June 2018 with C Winneke QC (severity appeal)
      • HRV v Eastman, RADB, 28 May 2018 (race fixing charges)
      • Adrian Kenyon v GRV, RADB, 23 April 2018 (EPO administration charge)
      • Russell Clarke v Racing Victoria [2018] VCAT 747 (trainer licence application)
      • Chairman of the GRNSW Inquiry into the unauthorized export of greyhounds - Penalty decision for Michael Eberand (25/3/19), Decisions re Eberands, Cortis, Lagogiane (9/1/19), Michael Abbott (20/9/18), Farrugias (23/10/17), Paul Wheeler (20/4/18), Yiwen Xi and Wei Shan (24/4/18), and Cauchis (31/5/18)
      • Joshua Henshaw v Basketball Victoria Incorporated, Magistrate McCallum, Case No. H13331912, 8 February 2018,(injunction under Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic))
      • Ben Thompson v Racing Victoria, RADB (Chair Judge Bowman), 20 December 2017 (reckless riding charge)
      • QAFL Tribunal for Palm Beach Captain Jesse Derrick prior to QAFL grand final 2017
      • Victorian Building Authority v Jim Tsaganas [2017] VSCA 248 (with Chris Winneke QC)
      • Cyan Racing v Rogers Engineering & Development Pty Ltd, SCV injunction application, J Forrest J, 10 January 2017
      • Victorian Building Authority v Jim Tsaganas [2016] VCAT 1732 (plea before Dyer J)
      • HRV v Kilduff [2017] VCAT 2068, Snr Member Butcher (testosterone administration charge)
      • HRV v Vozlic [2017] VCAT 485, Vice President, Hampel J, (breach of conditions of disqualification)
      • HRV v Aiken (Snr Member Butcher, 26/4/17)
      • Racing Victoria v O’Brien, Mark Kavanagh and Dr Brennan (Decisions of RADB of 23/12/15 and 20/1/16)
      • Racing NSW v Sam Kavanagh, Dr Brennan and Dr Mathews (Racing Appeals Tribunal NSW decisions 6/5/16 and 17/6/16)
      • Greyhound Racing Victoria v Jason Thompson (RADB 3/4/17 and GRV appeal to VCAT 6/9/17)
      • Greyhound Racing Victoria v Braden Finn RADB decision 23/6/16 (cocaine presentation charge)
      • Victorian Football Federation Tribunal on behalf of North Sunshine Eagles SC and Diellon Memishi (2015)
      • Appeal against grand final disqualification on behalf of Melbourne East Basketball Association to Basketball Australia Appeals Tribunal (20/9/16)
      • Appeal on behalf of James Lawton and Adam Cullen to AFL Riverina Appeal Tribunal 5/9/15.

      Defamation/ACL/injurious falsehood/suppression orders/commercial

      • Stanowitsch International Pty Ltd v Steven Drake [2021] VCC 436 (ACL claim)
      • Farrah and DRF LLC v Smith and Doc Adam Pty Ltd [2021] VSC 158 (interlocutory injunction denied)
      • Holten v Fehsenfeld (Ruling) [2021] VCC 404 (pleading dispute in defamation and injurious falsehood claim)
      • Patrick Lennon v The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd (ruling) [2021] VSC 147
      • Abela v Tracey Grimshaw, Nine Network, and Neil Mitchell [2020] VCC 1237 (summary judgment for defendants)
      • Janet Young v Steve Healy [2018] VSC 546 (extension of time and default judgment applications)
      • Asmar v Fontana and Laurence [2018] VSC 382 (strike out application)
      • Appeared for Nationwide News Pty Ltd and the Age Company Pty Ltd before Bromberg J on 1/2/19 to oppose suppression application on behalf of the AWU in AWU v Registered Organisations Commissioner and Ors
      • Ptasznik v Australian Medical Association [2018] VSC 275
      • Appeared for ABC opposing application for blanket suppression order in DPP v Pell, Chief Judge Kidd, 24/5/18
      • Stuart Johnston v Nicola Holland [2017] VSC 597, John Dixon J, (with David Collins QC)
      • Stuart Johnston v Nicola Holland [2017] VSC 448, Derham AsJ
      • Hanks v Johnston [2015] VSC 570 and [2016] VSC 149
      • Johnston v Holland [2016] VSC 340
      • Nadinic v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd (Supreme Court injunction application before Ginnane J, 13/5/15)
      • Hanks v Johnston [2016] VSC 629
      • advising and drawing pleadings in multiple other defamation and related proceedings issued in SCV, Federal Court, County Court and Magistrates Court.

      Crime

      • DPP v Clinton Leahy (rape trial in County Court of Victoria concluding 21 May 2019)
      • committal hearings, pleas, interlocutory matters.

      Common law/personal injury

      • Beau Hart v Beaumaris Junior Football Club, South Metro Junior Football League, and Bayside City Council (with Jeff Moore QC)
      • Multiple serious injury applications and personal injury proceedings.


      From 15 May 2015, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

    • Barr Brad

      Brad specialises in commercial disputes, with particular expertise in class actions, contract, insurance, construction, property, consumer law and corporations law proceedings. He also practises extensively in common law matters.

      Brad appears regularly in trial, appellate and interlocutory hearings in all state and federal courts and tribunals, at mediations and arbitrations. He appears led, unled and as lead counsel.

      Brad is also a nationally accredited mediator and accepts briefs to mediate in all areas of the law.

      Brad was previously a solicitor in the commercial litigation group at Allens and an associate at the Supreme Court of Victoria in the Court of Appeal. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University and a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne.

      A brief selection of matters in which Brad has recently acted includes:

      COMMERCIAL LAW:

      - Aqua Star Pty Ltd v C P Aquaculture (India) PVT Ltd (2024, Court of Appeal, leading C Middleton) (Supply Agreement - Letter of credit - Sale of Goods Act 1958 (Vic) s 19(a) - Breach - Evidence Act 2008 (Vic) ss 69, 183)
      - Orion East Pty Ltd v Box Hill Institute (2022-2024, Supreme Court, led by P Neskovcin KC (as her Honour then was) and then J Gurr SC, briefed by Ashurst) (Development deed - Design development - Repudiation - Termination)
      - Lazarovski v Surbevski (2022-2024, Supreme Court, unled) (Oppression - Directors' duties)
      - Pact Group Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd v Qube Logistics (Aust) Pty Ltd (2023-2024, Supreme Court, unled, briefed by Ashurst) (Misleading and deceptive conduct - Breach of contract - Detinue - Conversion)
      - Ripani v Century Legend Pty Ltd (2022-2024, Federal Court, led by S Stuckey KC) (Misleading and deceptive conduct - Reliance - Contract - Breach - Repudiation - Estoppel)
      - P20 ESG Acquisition Pty Ltd, in the matter of P20 ESG Acquisition Pty Ltd (2024, Federal Court, unled) (Sections 1322(4)(c) and (d) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth))
      - Ballymoss Pty Ltd v Kollaras & Co Pty Ltd (2022-2024, County Court, led by S Hay KC, with J Waller, briefed by Holding Redlich) (Customs duties - Duty drawback - Breach of warranty - Misleading and deceptive conduct)
      - Sarric Pty Ltd v Invidia Foods Pty Ltd (2023-2024, District Court of NSW, unled) (Business sale agreement - Loan facility deed - Service contract - Breach of contract - Acceleration - Unjust enrichment - Indemnity)
      - Sakellaropoulos v Sakellaropoulos (2023, Supreme Court, unled) (Heads of agreement - Deed of settlement - Performance)
      - Larkspur Tribeca Ltd v iSignthis Limited (BVI) (2023, Federal Court, led by G Bigmore KC, briefed by Colin Biggers & Paisley) (Breach of trust - Breach of fiduciary duty - Knowing receipt - Knowing assistance - Rectification - Misleading and deceptive conduct)
      - Santrev Pty Ltd v Orient Poultry (UK) Pty Ltd (2020-2023, Federal Court, unled) (Misleading and deceptive conduct - False and misleading representations - Passing off)
      -Prioletti Consultants Pty Ltd v Box Hill Institute (2022, Supreme Court, unled, briefed by Ashurst) (Registered training organisation - TAFE - Breach of contract - Misleading and deceptive conduct - Unconscionable conduct)
      - Century Legend Pty Ltd v Ripani [2022] FCAFC 191 (Led by S Stuckey QC) (Appeal - Misleading and deceptive conduct - Rejection of witness evidence - Exclusion clauses - Statutory rescission - Equitable rescission)
      - Energy Resources of Australia Ltd, in the matter of Energy Resources of Australia Ltd [2022] FCA 176 (Unled, briefed by Ashurst) (Sections 203AA(2), 205B(5), 1322(4)(c) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth))
      - The Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty Ltd, in the matter of The Walt Disney Company (Australia) Pty Ltd (2022, Federal Court, unled, briefed by Ashurst) (Sections 1322(4)(c) and (d) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth))
      - RNB Equities Pty Ltd v Regal Funds Management Pty Ltd (2018-2021, Federal Court, led by G Bigmore QC and M Goldblatt, briefed by Logie Smith Lanyon) (Market manipulation - ss 1041A, 1041B, 1317HA Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) - Derivative financial instrument - Algorithmic trading - Market microstructure)
      - Bachy Soletanche Australia Pty Ltd v Geotech Pty Ltd (2020, Supreme Court, led by R Craig QC, briefed by Ashurst) (Breach of trust - Breach of joint venture deed - Preservation of trust property pending arbitration - "Material adverse effect" - "Material default" - Interim injunction - Interlocutory injunction - Mandatory injunction)
      - West Gate Tunnel Project (2019-2020, led by S Marks QC and R Craig QC, with B Slocum and S Mariole, briefed by Clayton Utz) (Acting for the State of Victoria)
      - Mortgage Finance Options Pty Ltd v Uniq Finance Australia Pty Ltd [2019] VCC 2156 (Unled) (Contract - Repudiation - Expectation damages - Assessment of damages - Whether GST should be included in damages)

      COMMON LAW:

      - Ram v Magri (2023-2024, Supreme Court, unled) (Contract of sale - Terms contract - Equitable lien - Professional negligence by solicitor - Breach of retainer)
      - Todd v Todd (2023-2024, Supreme Court, unled) (Inducing breach of contract - Injurious falsehood)
      - The Tailor Made Spirits Company Limited v Hall & Wilcox (2019, VCAT, unled, briefed by Minter Ellison) (Professional negligence - Breach of retainer - Breach of the Australian Consumer Law - Jurisdiction of VCAT)
      - Williams v AusNet Electricity Services Pty Ltd (2017, Supreme Court, led by G Harris QC, with T Jeffrie, briefed by Colin Biggers & Paisley) (Mickleham bushfire class action - Duty of care - Scope and content of duty - Breach of duty - Legal and factual causation - Apportionment - Contribution)

      BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION:

      - Becon Investment Group Pty Ltd v Stojanovski (2023-2024, Supreme Court, unled) (Domestic building - Joint venture agreement - Constructive trust - Misleading and deceptive conduct - Estoppel - Restitution)
      - ACN 115 918 959 Pty Ltd v Moulieris (2018-2024, VCAT, led by R Craig QC, briefed by Gadens) (Domestic building - Prime cost items - Provisional sums - Variations - Repudiation - Restitution - Mann v Paterson Constructions Pty Ltd [2019] HCA 32 - Defects - Builder's warranties - Misleading and deceptive conduct)
      - In the matter of the Melbourne Cricket Ground [2022] VBAB 105 (Unled, briefed by Ashurst) (Section 160A Building Act 1993 (Vic) - Application to determine that the proposed performance solution for the cladding arrangement at the Northern Stand complies with the Building Code of Australia)
      - West Gate Tunnel Project (2019-2020, led by S Marks QC and R Craig QC, with B Slocum and S Mariole, briefed by Clayton Utz) (Acting for the State of Victoria)

      PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE:

      - ACN 115 918 959 Pty Ltd v Moulieris [2024] VSCA 71 (Led by R Craig KC, briefed by Gadens) (Appeal from Trial Division - Relevant and irrelevant considerations - Dismissal for want of prosecution - Hardship - Conduct of proceeding causing disadvantage)
      - Aqua Star Pty Ltd v C P Aquaculture (India) Pvt Ltd [2024] VSCA 67 (Leading C Middleton) (Application for stay of orders requiring payment of outstanding judgment debt pending appeal)
      - The King v Xpress Building Design Pty Ltd (2023-2024, Supreme Court, unled) (Contempt - Failure to comply with subpoena)
      - Ripani v Century Legend Pty Ltd (No 3) [2023] FCA 812 (Led by S Stuckey KC) (Scope of new trial - Misleading and deceptive conduct)
      - Gomez v Carrafa [2023] FCA 719 (Unled) (Application for extension of time to appeal – Leave to appeal required – No reasonable prospect of success)
      - Ballymoss Pty Ltd v Kollaras & Co Pty Ltd (No 4) [2023] VCC 1268 (Unled, briefed by Holding Redlich) (Particular discovery - Legal professional privilege - Waiver - Security for costs)
      - ACN 115 918 959 Pty Ltd v Moulieris [2022] VSC 555 (Led by R Craig KC, briefed by Gadens) (Appeal from VCAT - Relevant and irrelevant considerations - Legal unreasonableness - Dismissal for want of prosecution - Hardship - Conduct of proceeding causing disadvantage)
      - Gomez v Carrafa [2022] FCA 1013 (Unled) (Strike out application - Application for leave to amend - Bankruptcy - Allegation of malicious prosecution by trustee in bankruptcy – Allegation of misfeasance in public office by trustee in bankruptcy)
      - Gomez v Carrafa [2021] VSCA 661 (Unled) (Special federal matter – Transfer of proceeding to Federal Court – Whether appeal competent – Section 13(a) precludes appeal from decision of court in relation to transfer of proceeding under Act – Whether decision confined to reasons for transfer and not antecedent reasons)
      - Hunter Byron & Co Pty Ltd v AC Home Design Pty Ltd [2021] VSC 777 (Unled) (Judicial review of an order by VCAT – Natural justice – Appeal from an order of VCAT - Reasonable excuse for not attending the hearing)
      - ACN 115 918 959 Pty Ltd v Moulieris [2021] VCAT 1136 (Led by R Craig QC, briefed by Gadens) (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 - Section 76 - Dismissal for want of prosecution - Section 78 - Conduct of proceeding causing disadvantage)
      - Mortgage Finance Options Pty Ltd v Uniq Finance Australia Pty Ltd (No 2) [2020] VCC 555 (Unled) (Costs - Offer of compromise - Calderbank offer - Costs on an indemnity basis)
      - RNB Equities Pty Ltd v Credit Suisse Investment Services (Australia) Ltd [2019] FCA 760 (Led by G Bigmore QC, briefed by Logie-Smith Lanyon) (Jurisdiction - Market manipulation - Breach of PDS - Whether "matter" arising under legislation - Accrued jurisdiction - Whether common substratum of facts)
      - RNB Equities Pty Ltd v Credit Suisse Investment Services (Australia) Limited (No 2) [2019] FCA 1385 (Led by M Goldblatt, briefed by Logie-Smith Lanyon) (Strike out application – Alternative claim for particulars)


       

      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.

       

    • Badali Fatmir

      Fatmir is an experienced commercial and regulatory litigator specialising in contractual and corporate law disputes; tax disputes; environmental, major torts and product liability claims; regulatory investigations and prosecutions as well as proceedings before inquisitorial forums including coronial investigations and inquests, IBAC and Ombudsman's investigations; Judicial, Parliamentary and Royal Commissions of Inquiry.

      Prior to coming to the Bar, Fatmir was a Partner in the Disputes team at Gadens Melbourne (2010-2017) and a Senior Associate in the litigation group at Blake Dawson (now Ashurst).

      Fatmir is the current president of the National Product Liability Association and a Director of Inquire Australia.

      Fatmir has been listed in the Australian Financial Review's Best Lawyers for Litigation for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.


       

       

      From 26th May 2017, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.


       

    • Albert Matthew

      Matthew practices in commercial, industrial and public law. He advises and acts in commercial disputes including contract, consumer, building and construction law. His public law matters include judicial and merits review, and acting as counsel assisting the Coroner.

      Matthew has appeared in all courts in the Australian hierarchy. Matthew’s recent appearances include:

      High Court of Australia
      • Plaintiff M70 and M106 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (the “Malaysia Solution Case”) (2011) 244 CLR 144 (led by D Mortimer SC (now Justice Mortimer of the Federal Court) and R Niall QC for the plaintiffs)
      Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia
      Federal Court of Australia
      Supreme Court of Victoria
      • McDonald v Legal Services Commissioner [2015] VSC 237 (led by J Burnside QC for Mr McDonald)
      • Murphy v State of Victoria (No 3) [2014] VSC 624 (led by J Burnside QC for Mr Murphy)
      • A.S v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection & Anor [2014] VSC 593 (led by M Lee SC for A.S)

      In 2014, Matthew worked at the Cape bar preparing two matters for the Constitutional Court in South Africa.

      Prior legal experience

      Matthew was a solicitor in the Executive Branch of the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office and the researcher to the Solicitor-General for Victoria (now Justice Tate of the Victorian Court of Appeal). Following that, he was the associate to Justice Habersberger of the Supreme Court of Victoria’s Commercial and Equity Division. For eighteen months prior to joining the Victorian Bar, Matthew was the sole researcher to Geoffrey Robertson QC.

      Education, teaching and publications

      Matthew completed his undergraduate degrees at the University of Melbourne and his postgraduate degree in international refugee law at the University of Oxford, for which he received the highest mark ever awarded for the course. Matthew lectures on public law in the Juris Doctor course at the University of Melbourne's Law School, at which he is a Senior Fellow.

      Matthew’s publications include:

      From 2nd Dec 2010, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.



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