Richard advises and appears in complex tax and administrative law disputes, with a practice focused on ATO controversy, revenue litigation, and the strategic resolution of disputes.
He provides strategic advice and advocacy at every stage of a revenue dispute, from audit and formal information-gathering through to objections, private rulings, external review in the Administrative Review Tribunal, and proceedings in the Federal Court. Richard is often engaged in matters involving complex statutory construction, penalty exposure, significant commercial or reputational risk, contested facts, or judicial review of administrative decision-making.
He works closely with instructing solicitors, general counsel, and senior tax advisers to develop and test positions early, shape evidence and objections with the end forum in mind, identify decisive issues, and resolve disputes efficiently where possible.
Richard advises and appears in relation to ATO disputes across income tax, CGT, GST, and penalties; audits, formal interviews, position papers, settlements, objections, and private ruling applications; external review and litigation in the ART and Federal Court; superannuation and SMSF disputes; and related commercial matters intersecting with revenue issues, including corporations and insolvency matters.
Where appropriate, Richard appears and advises with junior counsel to deliver scalability and cost-efficiency without compromising strategic oversight.
Key expertise
• Tax controversy and litigation
• Administrative law and judicial review
• Federal Court advocacy and appeals
• Objections strategy, evidence, and dispute architecture
• Superannuation and SMSF disputes
• Direct briefing and work with accounting firms and in-house teams
Recognition
• Doyle’s Guide (Queensland Tax Litigation & Advisory Barristers):
• Preeminent (Junior Counsel): 2022, 2023, 2025
• Leading (Junior Counsel): 2021, 2024
• Recommended (Junior Counsel): 2020
Education
LLB, Queensland University of Technology
BCL, The University of Queensland
PhD, Durham University