Barristers – Commercial Law

Rebekah was called to the Bar in 2021.

Before coming to the Bar, Rebekah practiced as a solicitor for over 18 Years:

• Originally being admitted as a legal practitioner in Tasmania in 2003;
• Then, after moving to Far North Queensland in 2006, she worked in a range of roles from Associate in a large firm in Cairns to Principal Solicitor at an Indigenous legal service;
• in 2014, Rebekah established her own practice which she successfully ran until she decided to come to the Bar.

​Rebekah’s experience as a solicitor uniquely informs her practice as a barrister.

The areas of law Rebekah accepts briefs include:

• Family Law
• Child Protection
• Domestic and Family Violence
• All types of Civil Matters (including alternative dispute resolution avenues including Mediation and Arbitration)
• Estate Litigation
• Criminal
• Inquests and Inquiries

Rebekah has extensive experience acting as an Independent Children’s Lawyer and Separate Representative (Child Protection matters).

Rebekah practices in all jurisdictions and is available, in addition to regionally based matters, to appear in Courts and Tribunals based in South East Queensland and interstate (especially New South Wales).

Rebekah is also a NMAS qualified Mediator and Arbitrator.

Gareth’s principle areas of legal expertise, are in the building and construction law area. Included in this area are matters involving professional negligence (involving architects and engineers), and matters involving mining or engineering disputes more generally.

Gareth is also briefed in matters involving professional negligence on the part of solicitors, on behalf of Lexon Insurance.

He works generally in the area of commercial litigation, including disputes over contractual issues and other commercial disputes.

Gareth’s briefers include a number of the largest law firms operating in Australia. Gareth especially enjoys court appearance work in his areas of expertise.  He is also briefed to attend mediations, and appears in arbitrations.

Gareth has been consistently featured in Doyle’s Guide as a Leading King’s Counsel in the area of Construction, most recently:

• 2023 – Leading Construction and Infrastructure Senior Counsel – Australia (leading)
• 2023 – Leading Construction and Infrastructure Senior Counsel – Queensland (pre-eminent)

He has also been featured in Chambers & Partners in the area of Construction & Infrastructure, Australia.

Gareth has practised as a barrister in Brisbane since 1998.

Zoë Brereton was called to the Queensland Bar in October 2021. Zoë has over 24 years’ experience as a lawyer, having previously practiced as a solicitor being first admitted in England and Wales in 1997 and then in Australia in 2006, including as principal of her own private practice.

Zoë practises in a broad range of commercial matters, family law, domestic violence, estate litigation and immigration law.

Zoë is also a nationally accredited mediator (NMAS).

In addition to Zoë’s undergraduate qualifications in Law, she holds a Post Graduate qualification in Australian Migration Law and Practice from the Australian National University.

Other relevant affiliations and positions held by Zoë are:

Member of the Queensland Bar Association

Member of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association

Treasurer of the Gold Coast Bar Association

Member of Gold Coast District Law Association

Member of LawRight

Judy was admitted to practice as a barrister and commenced at the private Queensland Bar based in Brisbane in January 2003. Prior to this she practised as a solicitor in Brisbane from the mid 1990’s. In addition Judy is a Nationally Accredited mediator.

Judy’s practice is diverse. It spans a broad range of areas including planning and environment, judicial review, mining, environmental authorities and enforcement, native title, local government, determination of compensation for land, infrastructure and general litigation.

She has advised or acted in proceedings for and against the Commonwealth and State of Queensland, Ministers and related entities, various local governments, indigenous representative bodies, companies and private individuals.

During her time at the bar Judy has appeared in the High Court (special leave), Full Federal Court, Federal Court, Queensland Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Queensland, District Court, Planning and Environment Court, Land Court, both in the Queensland and Grantham Flood Commissions of Inquiry and the Magistrates Court.

A significant number of matters have proceeded to full hearing with decisions published on the relevant court websites, a list of which can be seen by accessing the link to Judy’s CV, located on this page.

Logan was called to the Queensland Bar in 2014, having previously practised as a solicitor in top tier firms in Sydney and Brisbane for 18 years. He regularly appears in arbitrations, appeals and in the Supreme and District Courts.

 Logan is a specialist in building and construction law and commercial, contractual and insurance related disputes. He has particular experience in matters involving security of payment disputes and complex projects, including:

• transport & marine infrastructure ;
• electrical infrastructure & power stations;
• gas and renewable energy;
• commercial, government and residential/mixed-use projects
• property disputes

 Logan also has a substantial Alternative Dispute Resolution practice (arbitration, mediation and expert determination) and is a NMAS accredited mediator.

 Logan has been consistently recognised in “Doyle’s Guide – Leading Construction Law Barrister Rankings – Queensland (recommended)” from 2019 to 2023.

 He is a member of the Queensland Bar Association – Building & Construction Committee and regularly assists in providing CPD training to Queensland registered Security of payment adjudicators.

Mr Douglas Campbell KC was called to the Queensland Bar in 1982 and appointed Silk in November 2004.

Douglas has broad practice encompassing:

• Appellate
• Commercial Law
• Common law/Personal Injuries
• Equity
• Inquests and Inquiries
• Public Administration

Douglas has a particular interest and substantial experience in Class Actions and was recognised as a leading class action barrister – Australia in 2023.

Stephen is a specialist advocate in the areas of insolvency law, commercial litigation and arbitrations, and administrative law.

He is a trusted advisor to small and medium enterprises and their solicitors.

In insolvency law, his experience covers:

• statutory demand and winding up applications (notably SGR Pastoral Ltd v Christensen [2019] 2 QR 334);
• public examinations, recovery proceedings, and applications for directions under the Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations); and
• disputes concerning different entities to which insolvency practitioners are appointed within trust, partnership, and corporate group structures (notably Eltanba Pty Ltd & Anor v Flexitel Pty Ltd & Ors and its related proceedings, including Supreme Court of Queensland proceedings 2267/2011 and 12931/17).

In commercial litigation and arbitrations, his experience features:

• proceedings to set aside arbitral awards concerning the construction of a CSG pipeline system (Mitchel Water Australia Pty Ltd v McConnell Dowell Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd, Supreme Court of Queensland proceedings 7092/2018 and 6270/2018);
• expert determinations and their contractual validity (Bagata Pty Ltd & Anor v Sunstorm Pty Ltd [2023] QSC 104); [2024] QCA 17);
• appearing for Woolworths Ltd and a subsidiary in a construction contract dispute concerning Woolworth’s distribution centre at Larapinta, one of the largest industrial facilities in Queensland (Nalos Pty Ltd & Anor v Robert Bird Group Pty Ltd & Ors, Supreme Court of Queensland proceeding 11451/12;
• the suite of contract and arbitration-related proceedings between BMD Holdings Pty Ltd and Mio Art Pty Ltd and their related parties concerning the development of a master planned community at Mango Hill (see [2018] 1 Qd R 245; [2018] QCA 39; [2018] QSC 31; [2018] FCA 399; and [2019] FCA 490); and
• resisting the referral of a construction dispute to arbitration (One Sector Pty Ltd v Panel Concepts Pty Ltd [2021] QDC 54).

In administrative law, his experience features:

• urgent applications to stay the operation of government decisions (notably TRAC Construction (Qld) Pty Ltd v Queensland Building and Construction Commission, Supreme Court of Queensland proceeding 1670/16), a topic on which he presented a paper at the Australian Institute of Administrative Law’s 2016 national conference;
• successful appeals (Acuna Plaza v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs (No 2) [2019] FCA 424);
• ongoing retainers to provide regulatory compliance opinions to well-known companies in the healthcare sector; and
• inquests involving the responsibilities of Queensland Health and Queensland Police Service.

Stephen is an accredited mediator and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Dr Pip Coore practices predominately in the areas of equity, trusts and succession law.

Pip regularly advises on a range of estate matters, including:

• lost and informal will applications;
• the interpretation and administration of wills and trusts;
• applications by personal representatives and trustees for judicial advice and directions;
• the removal of personal representatives;
• solemn form probate proceedings; and
• family provision applications.

She also appears at mediations in succession law matters.

Pip has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Wills and Estates Litigation Junior Counsel in Queensland.

While Pip specialises in equity, trusts and estate law, she has also appeared in taxation appeals and administrative law matters.

Pip holds a DPhil in Law and a Master of Studies in Legal Research from the University of Oxford.  She also holds a Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) (Hons) from Queensland University of Technology and a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Communication, majoring in Public Relations, from the University of Queensland.

Prior to being called to the Bar, Pip was the Senior Associate to the Honourable Justice Edelman of the High Court of Australia.

Pip is a member of the STEP Queensland Committee, the Fellowship Fund Inc. Committee and the Graduate Women Queensland Committee.

Simon was called to the Queensland Bar in 1983.  He was made King’s Counsel in 1993.

He is a member of North Quarter Lane Chambers, one of Queensland’s preeminent Commercial Barristers Chambers.  Simon also has chambers in Sydney.

Simon has a wide ranging commercial practice spanning diverse areas such as:

• Competition Law (and is regularly briefed by the ACCC)
• Contract Disputes
• Corporate Law
• Insurance and Professional Indemnity (including acting for lawyers, engineers, builders, surveyors and architects).

He appears regularly in complex commercial proceedings in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia and in the Federal Court of Australia.

Simon also has a substantial appellate practice, including in the High Court of Australia.

Simon is renowned for his cross-examination skills, earning him, most recently, recognition in the following Doyle’s Guide categories:

• Leading Professional Indemnity Senior Counsel QLD 2023
• Leading Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Section Counsel QLD 2023
• Leading Insolvency & Restructuring Senior Counsel 2023

Marjorie was called to the Bar in 2021, following more than 10 years’ practice as a senior lawyer at a national law firm in which she worked in its Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane offices.  Marjorie also worked for three years in Oxford, England, in a boutique professional indemnity law firm.

Marjorie has broad experience acting for government and private sector clients and their insurers as well as a extensive general commercial litigation practice.

In insurance law her experience includes:

• acting for the Legal Practitioners’ Liability Committee and its insured legal practitioners and barristers in the defence of negligence claims
• acting for Australian and international insurers in the defence of all financial lines negligence claims (architects, legal practitioners, accountants and other construction professionals)
• Supreme Court multi party litigation arising from declinature of insurance cover
• providing coverage advice on a broad range of policies of insurance (D&O, public and products liability, professional indemnity and project specific construction insurance)
• acting for the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA)  in the defence of civil claims commenced against Victorian government departments and statutory agencies
• providing legal liability advice to Australian government departments and agencies and their insurer, Comcover, in respect of civil claims and advising them in respect of their obligations under the Legal Services Directions 2017 (Cth)
• providing insurance related due diligence advice in mergers and acquisition transactions, particularly in the field of construction

In commercial litigation her experience includes:

• acting for a building construction contractor in the Supreme Court of Queensland alleging breach of contract and negligence by its sub-contractor in respect of the use of aluminium composite panel cladding on a multi-story commercial building
• advising liquidators on the formulation of a claim against a firm of auditors alleging negligence, breach of contract and breach of statutory duties under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) in respect of a failed managed investment scheme
• acting for a company in the defence of preference claims brought by the liquidator of Gunns Limited (Tasmanian sawmill)
• acting for a Commonwealth Government department in the defence of a high value loss of opportunity claim arising from a dispute over the Commonwealth’s obligations in a deed of grant. This required qualifying experts in forensic accounting, market share economics and geospatial surveying

Marjorie holds a Bachelor of Arts (History) and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Queensland.

Marjorie’s curriculum vitae is available on request.

Geoffrey Diehm KC commenced practice as a barrister at the Brisbane bar in 1991. He took silk in 2008.

He holds an LLB and an LLM from the Queensland University of Technology.

He practices in health law, insurance and personal injuries law, public and administrative law, commercial law and succession law. He has regularly appeared in Federal and State superior courts as well as the Land Court, the Coroners Court and various tribunals.

He has extensive experience representing hospitals, medical practitioners and other health care providers in civil proceedings, administrative proceedings including disciplinary proceedings, and in inquests. He has appeared for a variety of clients in a number of Commissions of Inquiry. He regularly acts for and advises governments and agencies of government, corporations, insurers and individuals in a wide range of matters.

He is an experienced trial and appellate counsel and has been involved in very many mediations, as well as having acted as a mediator and an arbitrator.

Richard specialises in insurance, common law and statutory liability, commercial law, real property and confiscation of criminal profits. He is a nationally accredited mediator and has mediated over 700 disputes in all spheres of the law.

He has been in private practice as a barrister in Brisbane since 1982 and took silk in 1998.

He has appeared in many leading cases construing the pre-procedural and civil liability legislation of Queensland and was co-Senior Counsel assisting the Queensland Public Hospitals Commission of Inquiry conducted by the Honourable Geoffrey Davies AO.

Richard is Chair of the Bar Association of Queensland’s General Litigation Committee. From 2009 to 2011, he was President of the Bar Association of Queensland, a Director of the Law Council of Australia and Member of the Board of the Australian Bar Association. Prior appointments also include Chair of a stakeholder reference group appointed by the Queensland Attorney General, which reported to the Queensland Government as to options available to homogenise Queensland pre-proceeding personal injury process regimes.

Richard is a joint author of Annotated Civil Liability Legislation Queensland published by LexisNexis and a joint author of and principal contributor to Civil Liability Australia, a national loose-leaf and electronic LexisNexis service, each addressing the Ipp legislation in the states and territories. He is also a member of the editorial board and contributor to the Civil Liability newsletter, also published by LexisNexis.

In 2014, the Australian Insurance Law Association awarded Richard its annual Insurance Law Prize.

Adrian was admitted to the Bar in 1997, having before that practised for some 14 years as a solicitor, most of which time he was a partner in one of the prominent national firms. He took silk in 2015.

He is a member of Hemmant’s List and has chambers in Brisbane and Perth. He holds a Master of Laws from the University of Queensland.

His practice extends to a broad range of commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation, including Admiralty, maritime and aviation law, industrial and employment law, commercial and professional indemnity insurance, infrastructure and resources.

He has long experience in international and domestic arbitration, mostly as legal representative for parties, but including as arbitrator. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Fellow of ACICA, a panel member of AMTAC and of ICC Australia and a supporting member of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association and has acted in a number of maritime arbitrations conducted in London by arbitrators appointed under LMAA Rules. He is also a member of ICCA and has acted in arbitrations conducted under a number of other regimes, including ICC Rules.

He has served on and chaired many professional committees and delivered a number of papers on a variety of areas of law. He is presently a member of the International Committee of the Australian Bar Association and of the International Law and Professional Conduct Committees of the Queensland Bar.

He is listed in Doyle’s Guide as one of the Leading Transport Barristers in Australia and as one of the Leading Employment & WHS Barristers in Queensland.

William Evans joined the bar in October 2021 following a 13-year career as a solicitor practicing in commercial litigation.

Prior to being called to the bar, William worked for 13 years as a commercial litigation solicitor at a leading Townsville firm.

As a solicitor, William enjoyed a broad commercial practice with particular emphasis on litigation and advisory work in the fields of contract, building, insolvency, consumer law and property.

William continues these interests at the bar.

William is an experienced litigator, regularly appearing in both State and Federal jurisdictions.

Paula was called to the Bar in Queensland in 2022.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Paula:

• graduated with a Juris Doctor of Laws from Bond University in 2014;
• was admitted in 2015 to the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia; and
• Following her admission, Paula worked predominately in Family and Criminal law in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.

Paula’s primary areas of interest are:

• Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law
• Commercial Law
• Common Law/Personal Injuries
• Criminal Law
• Equity
• Family Law and Guardianship and
• Regulatory Law (all types)

Paula is a dedicated and compassionate Barrister, providing detailed advice and advocating strongly on her client’s behalf.

Paula was called to the Bar in Queensland in 2022.

After more than 10 years as a solicitor with large national and international firms, Jane commenced practice as a barrister in 2009.  As an advocate she has a broad practice including commercial, insurance, personal injury, professional negligence, medical negligence, building and construction, administrative, estate and family disputes. As a mediator she has worked with public, corporate and private clients involved in a range of family, commercial, personal and interpersonal disputes.

Jane appears alone and as junior counsel in applications, trials, appeals and other hearings in both State and Federal jurisdictions.  She holds degrees in Law and Business (Accounting) from QUT, as well as a Master Advocate Designation from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy in the US.  She is nationally accredited mediator, an accredited farm debt mediator and an FRDP. She has chambers in Brisbane and also on the Gold Coast.

In addition to her practice at the Bar, she has taught advocacy and trial skills to trial lawyers and barristers in Australia, Bhutan and the US since 2010.

As a solicitor, Emma spending 8 years working in Government and Private Practice in defendant insurance litigation representing insurers in both personal injuries and property damage litigation.  She then went on to establish the Financial Abuse Prevention team at a Queensland community legal service.

Emma has been at the bar since April 2021.  She has a broad practice in what she calls ‘human’ law – including personal injuries, insurance, consumer law, abuse law, guardianship, wills & probate, family law and domestic violence.

Emma is regularly briefed to appear both led and unled in State and Federal Courts.

Emma is a proud single mum and mental health advocate and regularly speaks about her experience.

If you believe Emma can assist you or your clients, are interested in coming to the bar, or ever feel the need to phone a friend – Emma warmly welcomes a phone call or a visit to the Hemmant’s List Centre for a cup of tea.

Karen was called to the bar in February 2022.

Prior to coming to the bar, Karen served as an associate to Her Honour Judge O’Sullivan in the District Court in 2001, while still completing her law degree.

She has practiced as a solicitor for over seventeen years.  Karen has practiced in many areas of law, however, she has a particular interest in all three areas of succession law: estate administration, estate planning and estate litigation.

As a solicitor, Karen has been involved in several pieces of long running litigation with a broader commercial focus, involving rural partnerships, trusts, and equitable remedies, including undue influence and unconscionable conduct.

Karen has conducted many family provision applications (FPAs), solemn form probate applications, will construction, cy pres, and statutory will applications and other “classical” forms of estate litigation. She has appeared (with counsel) at numerous hearings, including trials and appeals and at numerous mediations).

Despite being a skilled litigator, Karen recognises the value of alternative dispute resolution, especially in family-based disputes. She has undertaken the Bond University mediation course and was one of the first succession lawyers to undertake training in Collaborative Law at UTS in Sydney in 2008.

In 2013, Karen undertook the Queensland Law Society Specialist Accreditation assessment in the area of Succession Law. She was awarded the Highest Achiever (jointly with another practitioner).

Doyle’s Guide ranks Karen as “Preeminent” in the category of Wills and Estate Litigation Lawyers and “Recommended” in the area of Wills Estate and Succession Planning Lawyers.

Kirsty has been a barrister in private practice at the Queensland Bar based in Brisbane since February 2012.

Prior to commencing practice at the Queensland Bar, Kirsty was employed as a solicitor in the commercial litigation division of a national law firm.

Her practice extends to a wide range of commercial matters in both the State and Federal jurisdictions, including E-Trial experience.

Areas of speciality include mining and construction, corporate and personal insolvency, banking and finance, contract law, commercial and residential leases.

Stephen has been practicing since 1990 and was called to the Bar in 2016.

Over more than three decades Stephen has practiced broadly, but his particular areas of interest are:

• Family Law (including Domestic Violence)
• Criminal Law & Professional Discipline
• Administrative & Public Law

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Laws and is also a qualified and experienced costs assessor having been appointed to the Supreme Courts panel in December 2008.

Other relevant affiliations and positions held by Stephen are:

• Member Bar Association of Queensland
• Member of LawRight

His present practice calls for him to appear regularly in the courts of Queensland, N.S.W. and Victoria in matters including:

• The conduct of appeals as sole Counsel (unled) before the Court of Appeal and the Full Court of the Family Court. (These appearances include the following reported cases: Yein & Zihao (2019) FLC ¶ 93-889; Allen v Ruddy Tomlins & Baxter(2019) 1 QR 225; Beckham & Quarrington (2019) FLC ¶93-913; Weng & Wah and Ors (2019) FLC ¶93-933; and McLaren v Wiltshire Lawyers Pty Ltd [2019] 3 QR 158.)
• Complex property and parenting trials in the Family Court and Federal Circuit Courts of Australia.
• Criminal trials (including matters involving allegations of historical sexual abuse and serious assault) in the District Court of Queensland.
• Investigations and reports (briefed by Church body) of allegations of physical and sexual abuse.
• Civil penalty hearings in the Federal Court of Australia.
• Civil trials in the District and Supreme Courts of Queensland.
• Applications for review under the Migration Act 1958(Cth) in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia.

Peter Hastie specialises in litigation, alternative dispute resolution (arbitration, mediation and expert determination) and advice work which has a commercial flavour  particularly in the areas of  administrative law, building and construction, competition and consumer law, constitutional law, contract, corporations law,  insolvency,  intellectual property law, mining law,  partnership, professional liability, insolvency, real property , restraints of trade, securities and torts.

Peter commenced practice as a barrister based in Brisbane in 1986 and took silk in 2013. Peter mainly practices in the Supreme Court of Queensland and the Federal Court of Australia  and is admitted and has practiced in the Supreme Courts of New South Wales and South Australia.

Peter has a Bachelor of Arts (political science), Bachelor of Laws, and Master of Laws from the University of Queensland. He also has a Dispute Resolution Certificate from Bond University.

Jennifer was called to the Bar in 2016.

Jennifer has a broad civil practice with an emphasis on insurance and personal injuries law, including claims involving health law and medical negligence, workers’ compensation, historical abuse and dust diseases. She also practises in administrative, public and general commercial law.

Jennifer has appeared, both led and unled, in Federal and State courts (including appellate courts), as well as the Coroner’s Court, the Land Court and a range of tribunals. She has appeared in the High Court on applications for special leave and appeals.

She regularly represents insurers, government and statutory authorities, medical practitioners, allied health practitioners and other professionals in common law claims, as well as investigations and disciplinary proceedings.

Prior to commencing at the Bar, Jennifer was a solicitor at Minter Ellison and was Associate to His Honour Judge Rackemann.

Reimen is a barrister and nationally accredited mediator. He has a broad generalist practice which includes commercial litigation, administrative law, family law, property law, and human rights. He predominantly focuses on commercial and international disputes.

Before being called to the Bar, Reimen worked as an associate at a leading international insurance law firm. He has also worked as a lawyer at a boutique Brisbane commercial litigation firm, as a registrar of the Supreme Court of Tonga, at a top-tier national firm, as a judge’s associate, and as a legal officer at a UN-backed war crimes tribunal in Cambodia.

Reimen is a member of the Bar Association of Queensland’s human rights committee; he also a member of the Australian Lawyers for Human Right’s Queensland committee and Business & Human Rights subcommittee. He was awarded the Australian Young Lawyer of the Year in 2019 by the Law Council of Australia.

Reimen is also a member of the Asian Australian Lawyers Association.

Kevin has a practice which has a strong focus on insurance work and all allied areas including statutory and equitable issues. He has been in private practice as a barrister in Brisbane since 1991.

Areas of practice in which Kevin is briefed also include:

• APPELLATE
• AGRIBUSINESS
• MEDIATORS
• COMMERCIAL
• CORONIAL INQUESTS & COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY
• PERSONAL INJURIES
• PROFESSIONAL NEGLIGENCE
• REGULATORY TRIBUNALS
• INSURANCE
• WORKCOVER
• EMPLOYMENT & INDUSTRIAL
• SUPERANNUATION
• TOTAL PERMANENT DISABILITY CLAIMS
• CONTRACT
• MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
• SPORTS LAW
• OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY
• PRODUCT LIABILITY
• TORTS (OTHER THAN PERSONAL INJURIES)
• VETERANS’ ENTITLEMENTS
• EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & DISCRIMINATION

Kevin is briefed by a number of law firms that act for commercial insurers and also is briefed by Crown Law.

Kevin’s practice also includes advising local government bodies (LGM Queensland).

Kevin has acted as a mediator in a wide range of matters.

He also regularly appears in all Queensland Courts.

Kevin has an interest in veterans entitlements and is interested in developing his practice in that respect also.

William was called to the Bar in May 2023.

Prior to being called to the Bar, William worked:

• as an Associate at a top tier law firm (focusing on commercial and regulatory work for financial services clients), and
• as a Senior Legal Officer at the Australian Law Reform Commission (working on the Corporations and Financial Services Inquiry).

William has a broad civil practice, with a focus on commercial and regulatory matters. He appears in all State and Federal Courts and Tribunals.

Previously he has served as an Associate to the Hon. Justice Dowsett AM on the Federal Court of Australia, and before that to Commissioner Graeme Neate AM on the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission and Industrial Court of Queensland.

William holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Queensland, a LLM in International Financial and Commercial Law from King’s College London, and a PhD in Law from the University of Queensland.

He was the recipient of the Holt Prize in 2021 for his PhD thesis, which has since been published as a book by The Federation Press.

Before coming to the Bar, Llewellyn was a solicitor at several leading mid-tier firms in Sydney and Brisbane practising in their liability insurance and corporate recovery teams. In his varying capacities, Llewellyn’s responsibilities included the management of high-volume recovery actions and large-scale multi-party litigation.

At the Bar, Llewellyn has a broad civil practice that encompasses commercial law, personal and corporate insolvency law, class actions, competition and consumer law, professional negligence law, succession law, taxation debt recoveries, insurance and personal injury law, both Queensland and New South Wales.

Llewellyn has appeared on trials and applications in the Federal Court of Australia, the Supreme Courts of Queensland and New South Wales, all other state courts of Queensland and New South Wales, and the civil and administrative tribunals of Queensland and New South Wales. He has appeared as junior counsel on appeals to the intermediate appellate courts of Queensland and New South Wales.

On numerous occasions, Llewellyn has represented parties at mediation and in other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Llewellyn is admitted to the High Court of Australia.

OVERVIEW

Recognised as a skillful advocate and astute negotiator, Alex has developed a practice with a focus on complex matters which have established him as one of the leading Counsel in the fields of insurance and medical negligence. Alex has practised at the bar in Brisbane since 2011, and his practice has since expanded outside of Queensland to New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

Further to his prominence in the medical negligence and insurance spheres, Alex is also widely experienced in other areas including banking, finance, trusts and superannuation. He has been briefed in several appellate matters before the Court of Appeal of Queensland and High Court of Australia.

Alex is relied upon by his clients for his ability to cut through the complexities of a matter and to identify the issues that are truly at its heart, and is known for his meticulous preparation of advices and his level-headed and innovative responses to practical issues that arise in litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

EXPERIENCE

Medical Negligence

Alex has gained a profound knowledge of medical practice over the years, and he has applied this nuanced skill set in hundreds of matters involving many types of medical negligence cases. Some examples of his experience in this area include the following:

• Representing plaintiffs in various matters involving misdiagnosis or mistreatment of spinal cord abscesses, vascular injuries, liver poisoning, fractures, pulmonary embolism, meningitis, many different types of cancer, acute bacterial endocarditis, sepsis, kidney disease and colon perforation, many of which resulted in multimillion-dollar settlements;
• A high-profile case determined by the Court of Appeal, involving a general practitioner’s failure to detect and diagnose the presence of cryptococcal meningitis, which resulted in one of the largest awards of damages in Queensland;
• Complex matters involving perioperative care and surgical errors, including anaesthetic mismanagement of patients and errors made during plastic and reconstructive surgery;
• Appearing in a High Court matter involving the duty of care of paramedics, which considered the reasonableness of medical care performed in exigent circumstances, and the importance of manuals in determining breach at common law;
• Acting and securing large settlements for child plaintiffs in complex birth injury claims. One example includes a child who unfortunately developed cerebral palsy requiring substantial future care and assistance, which resulted in a settlement for more than $12,000,000.00;
• Acting for mothers who have sustained trauma during childbirth (such as prolapse, levator avulsion, 3^rd or 4^th degree tears, or pudendal nerve injuries); and
• A significant claim involving failures by a hospital, general practitioner and radiologist to adequately treat a nerve sheath tumour resulting in spinal cord injuries. Interlocutory applications in that matter led to seminal jurisprudence on the statutory limitation of actions, and what constitutes a plaintiff becoming aware of a material fact of a decisive character.

Insurance

Instructed by both plaintiffs and defendants, Alex has appeared in hundreds of insurance cases relating to personal injuries and other liability claims, covering many different case types from motor vehicle accidents to product liability. The following are some examples of interest:

• Acting for the plaintiff in a major personal injury matter that led to a seminal Supreme Court decision about obviousness of risks and dangerous recreational activities – elements of Queensland’s Civil Liability Act which had previously lacked useful jurisprudence;
• A significant workers’ compensation claim determined by the Court of Appeal, testing the principles of the tort of negligence in the context of manual musculoskeletal injuries sustained over a prolonged period in the workplace;
• Acting for insurers in a multitude of cases, both in Queensland and interstate, applying his expertise in negotiations to deliver favourable outcomes for his clients; and
• Representing the plaintiff in a motor vehicle accident claim involving catastrophic injuries, which resulted in one of the largest settlements in the State’s history, exceeding $20,000,000.00.

Commercial Law

Alex has advised on and appeared in various matters relating to banking and finance, and owing to his international experience working in the financial sector and his degree in Commerce, he is astute at dealing with very complex financial arrangements. Some prominent examples include:

• An important banking matter in which the Court of Appeal recognised that the Code of Banking Practice binds banks and forms part of bank guarantees. This case raised the topics of agency, estoppel and the general functions of appellate courts, including the Anshun estoppel and the principles from Fox v Percy; and
• A complex contractual matter determined by the Court of Appeal involving 23 parties about a proposal to form and run a real estate company, requiring scrutiny of parties’ intentions to create legal relations, and more generally, dealing with a tension between the principles of contract law and commercial realities.

Other areas of practice

Over the years, Alex’s practice has also expanded into other areas of the law, including property law, trusts, superannuation and criminal law. The various matters he has worked on include:

• Representing the plaintiff in an intricate matter relating to trusts and superannuation which over the course of more than a decade traversed each level of the Queensland court system and was heard by several boards, the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal and ultimately by the High Court in a special leave application. Alex became involved towards the end of the protracted dispute, and was required to exercise his knowledge of trustee-beneficiary relationships and their co-existence with contractual relationships. The matter also concerned elements of administrative law and questions of natural justice;
• Appearing in the Land Court of Queensland in a matter about whether compensation was payable for the compulsory acquisition of land, requiring analysis of planning approvals, the nature of interests in resumed land, and elements of evidence law; and
• Acting for the defendant in a hearing before the Court of Appeal, which ultimately overturned a criminal conviction of unlawful killing, relying on medical evidence to show the prosecution had not sufficiently proven causation.

Prior to being called to the Bar in August 2005, Madelaine spent 14 years as a solicitor practising almost exclusively in commercial litigation and insolvency.

From 2001 to 2005 she was a Partner with a national legal firm practising in the Insolvency and Commercial Litigation division of that firm.

On commencing practice at the bar Madelaine continued her commercial litigation and insolvency practice advising on and appearing in a wide range of matters and proceedings concerning banking, financial services, property, personal and corporate insolvency, director and shareholder disputes and professional negligence claims. She regularly appeared on behalf of Banks, financiers, and insolvency practitioners. She also appeared on behalf of corporations and businesses in a variety of commercial disputes, including appearances in mediations.  She also acted as mediator in commercial disputes.

Madelaine has appeared in the High Court (as Junior Counsel), Queensland Court of Appeal, the State Courts of Queensland and the Federal Court and Full Federal Court of Australia.

Since January 2017 Madelaine practices exclusively as a mediator in a wide range of commercial disputes.

David is a commercial silk principally with interests in tax and revenue law as well as an established general Chancery practice.

David also regularly appears for parties in commercial and administrative law disputes involving issues ranging from commercial contracts to professional negligence; and company disputes to reviewing tax posture of large corporations.

David also appears in private client matters, about trusts and estates.

David has increasingly been involved in professional conduct matters, principally as a member of STEP’s disciplinary panel.

Details of the matters David has been involved in can be reviewed on his personal website.

While chambers are in Brisbane, Australia he accepts instructions to appear and acts for clients in all Australian jurisdictions.

Prior to being called to the Bar, David worked at a solicitors’ firm for 10 years in the area of tax law. David was called to the private Bar in 2000 and took silk in 2015.

David has developed a particular practice in accepting instructions for opinion briefs from accountants who are members of the major professional associations.

David has been consistently recognised in Doyle’s Guide as:

• Leading Wills and Estates Litigation Senior Counsel – Australia 2021
• Leading Wills and Estates Litigation Senior Counsel – Queensland 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023
• Leading (Preeminent) Taxation Barrister (Senior Counsel)– Queensland 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023

Kelly is a Barrister and Nationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS) with broad public law and commercial law experience.

Kelly also has attained Member status with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

She practices primarily in the areas of energy, resources and environmental law; administrative law; and personal injuries.  Kelly has a particular interest in Arbitration (both International and Domestic).

Prior to her commencing practice as a barrister in Brisbane, Kelly worked in the building and construction team at a well-respected Queensland firm before moving to the energy and resource sections of two national firms.  She has also held a role as in-house legal counsel for a major railway turnkey provider.

Her experience covers both front-end and back-end work, having been involved in every aspect of resource and infrastructure project development from the proposal stage through to funding, development, production, completion and rehabilitation. She has had involvement with contentious and non-contentious carriage matters and advising on continental sea bed issues relating to pipeline construction and off-shore sustainable energy projects. Kelly has also been involved in a number of product liability class actions.

Kelly has a developing insurance and personal injury practice.

She holds undergraduate degrees in Law and Commerce; and a Masters of International Trade Law (Maritime).

She is on the editorial panel of the LexisNexis Australian Alternative Dispute Resolution Law Bulletin and holds a statutory appointment as a General Referee on the Building and Development Dispute Resolution Committee, hearing appeals in respect of the Building Act and the Sustainable Planning Act.

Kelly regularly speaks at conferences and events across Queensland on topics relating to her areas of practice.

Alice is a commercial barrister based in Brisbane, having been called to the bar in 2023.

Prior to coming to the bar, Alice worked as a solicitor for 8 years, specialising in commercial litigation and corporate and personal insolvency.

Alice also has an interest in estate litigation and taxation law.

Ms Deanna Musumeci was called to the Queensland Bar in October 2021.

Previously, Deanna practiced as a solicitor for 8 years in Townsville with a particular practice interest in Family Law and Commercial Litigation.

Deanna has acted in complex Family Law and Commercial Litigation matters involving:

• The interpretation and enforcement of a Deed of Family Arrangement;
• Acting for third party intervenors in a family law property dispute involving issue of trust, debts and gifts;
• Acting for a legally aid funded respondent mother in relation to parenting and access issues involving complicated social issues such as drugs, alcohol, neglect and abuse.

Deanna, in addition to a busy private practice, is passionate about social justice and volunteers her time to various social justice institutions such as:

• Townsville Community Law; and
• North Queensland Women’s Legal Service.

Other relevant affiliations and positions held by Deanna are:

• Townsville Hospital Ethic Committee;
• Townsville District Law Association Committee Member; and
• North Queensland District Law Association Committee member.

Mr Ryan Nattrass is a barrister first called to the Queensland Bar in May 2022.

Ryan predominantly practises in commercial litigation, insurance, and administrative and public law. Ryan maintains a broad practice but has particular experience in matters relating to judicial and merits review, professional liability (including civil claims, regulatory proceedings, and insurance coverage), and health (including inquests and inquiries, and matters involving the parens patriae jurisdiction).

Prior to coming to the Bar, Ryan practised as a solicitor in national firms in Australia and the United Kingdom, and also as a financial lines claims manager for one of the world’s largest insurance intermediaries. Ryan has a collaborative and pragmatic approach to litigation.

In addition to private work, Ryan is a member of LawRight and the Caxton Legal Centre. Ryan is also a sessional academic at the QUT Law School.

James’ principle areas of legal expertise, are in Resources and Infrastructure areas of law, including:

• Matters involving professional negligence (involving inter alia architects and engineers);
• Disciplinary matters, including builders and other professionals.

However, James also accepts briefs in matters of professional negligence and/or disciplinary proceedings relating to other professions/industries including Solicitors, Accountants and health care providers.

James’ practice includes the area of commercial litigation, including disputes over contractual issues and other commercial disputes.  More particularly, James has experience in:

• Competition and Consumer Law matters;
• Contract Disputes;
• Corporations Law matters (including Shareholder actions).

James has been involved in some of the largest litigation in Queensland (including Aurizon Network Pty Ltd v Glencore Coal Queensland Pty Ltd & Ors (2019) 1 QR 392) and is experienced in the complexity of document and evidence heavy litigation.

James has extensive experience in Arbitrations.  He has also appeared Expert Determinations, Commissions of Enquiry, Administrative Tribunals as well as many mediations.

James has been repeatedly recognised in Doyles’ Guide:

• Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Junior Counsel (QLD) since 2016
• Leading Construction & Infrastructure Junior Counsel (QLD) 2017 to 2020
• Leading Arbitration Barristers (Junior Barristers) (Australia) 2018 and 2019

James was called to the Bar in 2007.

Mr Ben O’Sullivan was called to the Queensland Bar in April 2021.  He has a broad commercial and civil practice, and a particular interest in insolvency and bankruptcy matters, professional negligence matters, director and shareholder disputes under the Corporations Act, and employment law.

Previously, Ben practiced as a litigation solicitor for 6 years in boutique, national and international law firms, specialising in:

• Commercial disputes;
• Insolvency and bankruptcy matters; and
• Industrial relations and employment Law.

Ben has acted for both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of matters, including:

• Acting for the plaintiff in Supreme Court Commercial List proceedings regarding alleged breach of contract and fiduciary duties in respect of a property development;
• Acting for the respondent shareholder in “just and equitable” winding up application in the Federal Court;
• Acting for a large SEQ water utility company in Federal Court proceedings concerning access to a water tower by a telecommunications company;
• Acting for the plaintiff in a Supreme Court Commercial List matter regarding a partnership dispute in respect of multi-million dollar cane farms;
• Acting for the defendant director of a corporate trustee in a claim resulting from the failure of a large Sunshine Coast property development;
• Acting for a plaintiff property group against a large telecommunications company, alleging breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duties;
• Acting for defendant directors in insolvent trading claims;
• Acting for the respondent executor of a trust in proceedings seeking to remove that executor;
• Representing employees and employers in unfair dismissal conciliation conferences in the Fair Work Commission;
• Representing and assisting Queensland doctors regarding investigations, employment and regulatory issues, including unfair dismissal, breach of contract, employment and contract entitlements, investigations by AHPRA and OHO, and various restraint of trade matters;

Ben holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Bachelor of Arts (History) and Masters of Law (Commercial Litigation).  He is a member of the Commercial Law Association of Australia.

Shane was called to the Bar in May 2023.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Shane practiced as a Commerical Law solicitor in top tier firms in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Shane has a broad commercial practice and accepts briefs in number of sectors including:

• Mining
• Gas
• Defence
• Government
• Banking
• Energy
• Telecommunications
• Manufacturing and
• Professional Services

He also has Class Action, International Arbitration, Expert Determination, and Royal Commission experience.

Shane also has experience in professional negligence, historical sexual abuse claims, and succession.

More details are available on Shane’s own website.

Joshua was called to the Bar in 2020, following more than eight years practice as a lawyer in senior positions (including Principal) in the Litigation Branch of the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.

Joshua has a keen interest in the areas of white-collar and regulatory crime and administrative law, specifically judicial and merits review, having developed significant expertise in these areas throughout his career.  In this space, Joshua’s deep insight into in-house Government regulatory authorities, and their processes, places him in a unique position to achieve successful outcomes, both negotiated and in Court, for government and private clients.

Since coming to the Bar, Joshua has maintained a broad Public Law practice as well as regularly taking briefs in Criminal & Quasi-Criminal, Planning and Environment, Land and Property, and Commercial matters, often with a significant Public Law aspect.  Joshua regularly advises and appears for government and private sector clients across all Queensland and Federal jurisdictions.

In Public law recent experience includes:

• Acting for a private client in a successful appeal in the Queensland Court of Appeal against the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission.
• Acting for the State of Queensland in Judicial review proceedings that sought to challenge the Covid-19 ‘High-risk setting’ directive.
• Advising the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation on matters involving the recent inquiry into the Star Casino operations in Queensland.
• Acting for private clients in disciplinary matters in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
• Acting for Government Departments in the Land Court in relation to valuation disputes and mining objections.
• Advising a statutory authority on specific questions arising from the interaction between its licensing regime and the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld).
• Acting for and advising a Local Council responding to a Native Title Claim involving complex extinguishment considerations.
• Advised a private client on options for challenging a development approval under a local planning scheme in circumstances where the matter of the approval was attended with an error of law.
• Advising various State Government Departments, Agencies, and private clients on statutory construction emanating from various Queensland and Federal enactments.

In Criminal and Quasi-Criminal Law recent experience includes:

• Acting as a prosecutor for the Crown in a large complex indictable prosecution for offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld).
• Acting as a prosecutor for the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES) in a summary trial for 19 offences under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 (Qld) and the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008 (Qld).
• Acting for QFES as the respondent to an appeal against conviction under s 222 of the Justices Act 1886 (Qld) in the District Court and successfully resisting the appeal.
• Advised private clients on matters of regulatory compliance in relation to the Planning Act 2016 (Qld), Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld), and Building Act 1975 (Qld).
• Acting for a private client in negotiating a successful outcome regarding significant environmental non-compliance to avoid prosecution.
• Acting for a private commercial entity defending a development offence under the Planning Act

In Civil disputes recent experience includes:

• Acting for the State of Queensland in a contested Supreme Court application seeking further and better particulars in relation to a malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office suit against the State of Queensland and others.
• Advising a private client on the application of ss 53 and 55 of the Property Law Act 1975 (Qld) to a ‘give and take’ agreement involving a large cattle property.
• Acting for a private client in a simple private nuisance and trespass to land claim involving over-excavating land.
• Acting for a private client in a complicated failed joint venture claim involving the operation of a regional hotel.
• Advised a private client about constructive trusts in relation to jointly held real property.

Caitlin was called to the bar in 2023.

Prior to coming to the bar, Caitlin worked as a solicitor in private practice and held various government positions including:

• General Counsel, Queensland Ombudsman
• Senior Lawyer, Crime and Corruption Commission
• Legal Officer/Solicitor, Tenants’ Union of Queensland

Caitlin also has an interest in Sports Law and holds the following external positions:

• Member of the Selection Committee for Athletics Australia – National Teams
• Panel Member for the AFL Queensland Tribunal
• Listed on the National Sports Tribunal Legal Assistance Panel

She has a unique perspective as a sports lawyer having previously pursued a career in athletics.

Angela Rae’s principal expertise is in commercial litigation and advisory work, as well as estate matters.  In particular, she practices in:

• company law disputes, including regulatory matters
• professional liability of directors and officers, particularly in financial advice
• insolvency (both corporate and personal)
• disputes involving partnerships and incorporated associations
• product liability (both manufacturers/suppliers and consumers)
• equity and trusts
• contract and real property disputes

Angela acts for companies and individuals of all sizes, including liquidators, banks, directors & officers, regulators, manufacturers and family estates.

Recent matters include acting for the special purpose liquidators of Queensland Nickel Pty Ltd (including obtaining freezing orders for over $500M of assets); acting for the majority shareholder in a $6M oppression action; and acting for the Commonwealth in relation to the insolvency consequences of a terminated statutory scheme.

Angela also regularly acts in trust and estate matters, currently including a $6M estate with assets in Australia and Europe. Angela has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Wills and Estates Litigation Junior Barrister – Queensland (Recommended) since 2019.  Most recently Angela has been ranked as Leading Estates Litigation Junior Counsel (Recommended) 2023 in Queensland and Australia-wide.

Angela has a professional interest in “plain language” drafting and is a member of Clarity International.  She has spoken internationally on topics such as drafting by committee and challenges with self-represented litigants. For several years she operated a consultancy assisting clients with writing clearer documents.

Additionally, Angela speaks Japanese fluently, completing part of her law studies at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo and postgraduate research at the Australian National University.

Peter was admitted to the profession in 2014 and called to the bar in 2020.

He has a broad practice with a focus on commercial and civil matters.

Prior to being called to the Bar, Peter worked in a boutique commercial litigation firm and in a national insurance litigation firm.

He was also an Associate to the Honourable Justice Debra A Mullins of the Supreme Court of Queensland, and was the research assistant to the Dean of the Griffith Law School.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and a Bachelor of Psychological Science

Richard has more than 23 years experience as a commercial barrister and specialises in administrative law, corporations law, superannuation, and tax.

He is highly experienced in tax and superannuation litigation and regularly appears in the Federal Court and AAT.

In tax, he advises and litigates in respect of all aspects of revenue law (including income tax, capital gains, GST, and judicial review of decisions).  Richard acts for taxpayers in respect of “front end” tax advice, advising in respect of audits, interviews, negotiations, and to advise and settling tax objections and private ruling applications through to litigious matters. Increasingly, he appears and advises with the assistance of a junior.

Richard also accepts direct briefs from accounting firms.

In superannuation, he advises and litigates on behalf of fund trustees and members in respect of regulatory matters and appeals, which includes the performance or discharge of obligations and powers and the conduct of investigations by or proceedings initiated by a regulator.

Richard advises trustees and investors of the legal issues confronting the SMSF market and its funding.

Recent matters that Richard has been involved in include:

• Acting on behalf of taxpayers in tax appeals in the Federal Court and the AAT.
• Advising on the federal and state revenue, Corporations Act, and Superannuation compliance of certain investment products.
• Advising on the interplay between State superannuation products and Federal superannuation.
• Advising on the superannuation law aspects of a Family Law and third party settlement arrangement.
• Advising on objections and appeals in respect of state revenue matters.
• Advising on Federal pension schemes.
• Acting and advising in relation to Part IVA litigation, NALI litigation, and group consolidation.
• Advising on the prospects of success of an objection concerning the interplay between superannuation and income tax.
• Advising on the interplay between superannuation and income tax;
• Advising on stay of review proceedings where the applicant is charged with numerous criminal offences;
• Appearing in interlocutory proceedings (interlocutory injunction, subpoenas, discovery) concerning a large tax liability matter;
• Advising superannuation trustees on and appearing at appeals from the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal;
• Appearing on review and appeal of income tax assessments for self -managed superannuation fund transactions;
• Appearing in judicial review (and subsequent successful summary judgment) of various tax estimates;
• Appearing on review of income tax assessments based on fraud and evasion, involving significant cross-examination (of 32 witnesses);
• Appearing in State court appeals in respect of tax recovery matters.
• Appearing in appeals from the AAT to the Federal Court.

Richard has also been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Tax Barrister (Queensland) in 2020, 2021, 2022, and again in 2023.

Richard is also a commercial litigator and mediator.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Civil Law, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Durham. 

Giles was called to the NSW Bar in October 2012 after a 20 year career in banking and commerce in Sydney and London, holding senior positions in Banking and Investment companies.

Giles was previously called to the London Bar in 1994.

He maintains chambers in QLD and NSW.

Giles practices predominantly in Family Law and Property and Equity. In Family Law cases he appears for clients in all types of property and parenting disputes.

He has extensive experience having appeared led and unled in in excess of 120 contested interim and final hearings since 2013.

He also has ever increasing appellate experience.

Giles also acts for clients in all aspects of commercial law in all jurisdictions, bringing his extensive commercial property, banking and finance experience to his advocacy practice for the significant benefit of his clients.

Other areas of law in which Giles accepts briefs include:

• Commercial, Property and Equity disputes
• Estate Law matters including Family Provision Applications

Grant was called to the bar in May 2023, after 11 years in practice as a solicitor.

He has a broad civil practice with a focus on insurance, commercial and personal injury matters.

Prior to being called to the bar, Grant worked for the largest medical indemnity insurer in Australia managing complex medical negligence litigation and medical professional disciplinary matters.

He has previously worked in mid-tier firms as a solicitor where he developed broad experience in medical negligence, workers compensation, public and product liability, as well as motor vehicle matters.

Rachel was called to the bar in 2020.

Rachel’s practice is broadly commercial, with experience in building and construction, property, personal injury, discrimination and workplace matters.

Rachel has also undertaken additional study in Mediation at the QUT Faculty of Law and the Resolution Institute.

Immediately prior to coming to the bar, Rachel practised as a generalist solicitor, with a focus on commercial law, with additional practice areas in family law, personal injury and workplace law.

Her background representing clients in a wide range of legal interactions allows her to apply a broader insight in advising clients in a broad range of legal areas.

Rachel also has an academic background in linguistics, having lived and studied in France for a number of years.  Rachel is fluent in spoken and written French, having completed her PhD in cotutelle between the University of Queensland and Paris III (Sorbonne Nouvelle), achieving a “mention tres honorable avec felicitations” (the highest academic distinction in France) for her defence in front of a jury of 5 academic leaders in the field.

Jason is a barrister and nationally accredited mediator. He was admitted to practice in 2019 and called to the Bar in 2022. Prior to the Bar, Jason worked in legal and financial roles across Australia, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.

Jason has a broad commercial practice and has represented lenders, private companies, and individuals in the Supreme Court of Queensland and the Federal Court of Australia. He has advised on cases in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand.

Jason holds an MSc in Law and Finance from the University of Oxford, where he won the MLF Prize for Best Overall Performance. He also holds a Bachelor’s in Law and Commerce (Honours) from The University of Queensland, where he teaches corporate law and ethics.

Jason speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese.

Michael practises nationally in taxation law and related areas including commercial, corporations, public, property, superannuation and trust law.

He has practised in taxation law for 10 years, initially as a solicitor at Allens and Herbert Smith Freehills and then at the Bar.

His practice focuses on the conduct of tax audits and disputes, including advising on the audit process, preparation of position papers, settlement negotiations and the conduct of litigation, as well as providing advice on a broad range of taxation issues. He has appeared in the Federal Court and High Court and has assisted in all aspects of the conduct of disputes.

He is a member of the Bar Association of Queensland’s Taxation Law Committee, the Australian Bar Association’s Taxation Committee and is Deputy Chair of the Tax Institute’s Dispute Resolution Technical Committee.

He has postgraduate qualifications in law, tax and international tax and is currently undertaking a doctorate in corporate and international tax part-time at the University of Melbourne.

He is also a reporter for the Australian Tax Reports and Commonwealth Law Reports.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws (commercial law) and was first called to the private Bar in 1999 after practising for several years as a litigation lawyer with particular interests in resolving legal disputes involving the agribusiness, construction, engineering, and resource sectors.  Ben has a unique understanding of the Engineering Construction, Mining and Resources area having worked as a qualified electrical fitter mechanic with BHP prior to coming to the Bar.

Since coming to the Bar in 1999, Ben has developed a broad commercial and equity practice with a wealth of experience and particular expertise in the resolution of commercial litigation and insurance disputes, primarily involving construction and engineering disputes and related professional negligence matters, major project and infrastructure disputes, agribusiness and resources liability insurance and contract claims, directors liability and shareholder disputes, corporate insolvency, and property and estate disputes.

Ben has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Construction & Infrastructure Counsel – Queensland (2019 to 2024).

He is an active member of a number of relevant professional associations, including BDPS, CLA, ER Law, AILA and SoCLA, as well as being a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and an interstate member of the Melbourne Technology Engineering and Construction Chambers (MTECC).

Ben is also an NMAS qualified mediator and holds chambers in both Brisbane and Melbourne.

Ben has particular experience in the following areas:

• large scale infrastructure projects:
  • including Curtis Island (Gladstone LNG development), Brisbane City South State Secondary College, Sarina Hospital, Ferny Grove transport and retail centre project, sewage treatment plant for a remote school, Ipswich roads and related pipeline construction.

• resource, agricultural and industrial projects, including:
  • commercial contract issues over the sale of a Bowen Basin coal mine, the construction of shipping berth and pier for LNG export, multiple underground drilling in Central and Western Queensland large scale cattle properties, hire and supply of agricultural plant and equipment, slab defects in large scale industrial sheds and workshops, and defect claims on high-rise cranes and other construction plant.

• large scale commercial and residential construction projects including:
  • high rise office and apartment complexes, earthworks and subsidence in residential, commercial, and industrial property developments, multiple service stations in Queensland and Victoria.

• significant commercial and related property litigation issues including:
  • easements disputes, access agreements for construction projects for cranes and rock anchors, road and private access issues for large scale commercial developments (appearing in the High Court).

• statutory demands, winding up applications, preference claims, insolvent trading, uncommercial transactions, and proof of debt insolvency matters, both moderate and large involving many millions of dollars in dispute, acting for liquidators and administrators.

• numerous estate administration and significant family provision applications.

• defects and causation issues arising from large scale and catastrophic failures in the agricultural, construction, engineering, resources, and transport sectors and critical analysis and testing of architectural, engineering, building, quantity surveying, delay and programming, geotechnical, hydrological, accounting and historian expert evidence.

• numerous matters involving the interpretation and application of Security of Payment legislation, Subcontractors Charges legislation and QBCC and related legislation.

• proper interpretation and application of contested contracts of engagement, joint venture, supply, security and credit in the agricultural, construction, engineering, resource and transport sectors.

• conducting (often leading junior barristers) complex and large-scale multi-party litigation and alternative dispute resolution processes including settling pleadings, settling lay and expert evidence, appearing on contested applications, trials and appeals in the Queensland Court of Appeal.

Matthew practises principally in general civil and commercial law, and industrial and employment law.  He appears regularly in the Supreme and District Courts of Queensland and the Federal and Federal Circuit Courts.  He is a nationally accredited mediator and mediates disputes in all of his areas of practice.

He is experienced in the management of a broad range of litigation, having been briefed to advise and appear in relation to misleading or deceptive conduct claims, breach of contract claims, franchising disputes, bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings, insurance disputes, claims of professional negligence, trust and estate disputes and employment law claims.

Matthew has particular expertise in relation to regulatory enforcement proceedings, pecuniary penalty proceedings and accessorial liability proceedings against directors and other persons involved in alleged contraventions.  He has acted as Counsel in enforcement proceedings commenced by various Commonwealth regulatory agencies (including the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Communications and Media Authority).

Matthew also has experience acting as Counsel in commissions of inquiry; he was briefed to appear in the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (2018) and to advise in relation to the Commonwealth Senate Inquiry into underpayments of workers in the retail industry (2018).

Matthew is an editor of and contributing author to ‘Queensland Civil Practice’ and a contributing author to ‘Federal Court Practice’ (both published by Thomson Reuters).  He regularly speaks at conferences and publishes papers in his areas of practice.

He is a member of the Bar Association’s General Litigation Committee, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Industrial Relations Society of Queensland, and a Sessional Academic in Law at the Queensland University of Technology, where he teaches Civil Procedure.

Matthew was called to the Bar in early 2013.  He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Bachelor of International Business (Finance) and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.