Archives

Joshua Charlton



Joshua was called to the Bar in September 2024, having worked as a solicitor for 4 years in the insurance, disputes and investigations team at Colin Biggers & Paisley lawyers.

He accepts briefs in all areas of law and has particular experience in insurance and reinsurance law, commercial law, professional negligence claims, legal profession disciplinary proceedings, class actions and in technical and engineering matters.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws with first class honours from the University of Wollongong, where he received several academic awards for placing first in course.

Tony Ross



Tony accepts briefs in all areas of law.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Tony served in the Australian Defence Force for 16 years, predominantly as an Army Officer. He is now in the active reserves.

In 2022, Tony was Tipstaff to the Hon. Justice M.J. Slattery AM AM (Mil) RAN of the Supreme Court of New South Wales (Equity Division).

Tony received his Juris Doctor from the Australian National University and his Bachelor of Business from the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Tony has broad experience working in the Defence and National Security community. His writing on foreign interference has been published in the Federal Law Review.

Tony received the Christopher Gee QC Memorial Prize for Advocacy and Evidence for the May 2024 Bar Practice Course.

Senior

Paul Hayes KC

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Commenced practice as a Barrister at the Sydney Bar in 1990 (read with Bernard Coles KC, University Chambers), before relocating to the Melbourne Bar in 1997. Called to the Bar of England & Wales (Lincoln’s Inn) in 2005. Appointed Senior Counsel in Victoria on 23 November 2017. Letters patent granted on 10 April 2018

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

Appointed a Senior Fellow (Course Director of the subject ‘International Sports Arbitration’) at Queen Mary University of London (School of Law) in 2022. Previously a Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne (Faculty of Law), 2010-2022. Recognised internationally in Who’s Who Legal (2016-2024 editions) as a leading lawyer in the specialty of sports law and listed by Doyle’s Guide as a leading senior counsel in arbitration and administrative & public law.

Holds degrees from the Queensland University of Technology (LLB) and the University of Cambridge (MSt). Also holds professional qualifications obtained from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London (FCIArb, DipICArb).

Prior to commencing practice at the Bar, practised as a Lawyer (1986 to 1990) at: Power & Power, Brisbane; Allen Allen & Hemsley (Allens), Sydney; and Baker & McKenzie, Sydney.

Robert Turnbull



Robert’s principal areas of practice are commercial, construction, transport, public law and white-collar crime disputes.  He has a particular expertise in arbitration, as counsel and tribunal secretary.

Robert accepts briefs to advise and appear throughout Australia and abroad.

Before the Bar, Robert practised in disputes in London at Slaughter and May and in Sydney at Clayton Utz.  Before that, he was tipstaff to the Hon P A Bergin AO, Chief Judge in Equity and Tribunal Secretary to Professor Doug Jones AO, international arbitrator.

His clients have ranged from individuals to large listed companies, governments to small charities, across many areas of the economy.

He was educated at the Universities of Sydney and Cambridge.

Anthony Lo Surdo SC



Anthony Lo Surdo SC was called to the Bar in 1996, having previously practiced as a solicitor since his admission as a legal practitioner in 1987. He was appointed as Senior Counsel in 2011. He practices from chambers in Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, London and Dubai.

Anthony has enjoyed a broad practice both at trial and appellate level spanning diverse areas including banking, contract, commercial, corporations, equity, professional indemnity, insurance, insolvency, property and sports law. He was described by Doyles Guide to the Australian Legal Profession in 2015-2020 as one of the country’s leading insolvency and reconstruction Silks.

Anthony is an exponent of all forms of ADR and especially mediation, arbitration and expert determination. He is also adept at facilitating expert conclaves.

He is an internationally accredited mediator and an advanced and nationally accredited mediator. He has been ranked by Doyles Guide in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 as a leading mediator.

Anthony is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and registered in the Australian Register of Practising Arbitrators as a Grade 1 Arbitrator. He is also accredited as an arbitrator in Dubai and PNG and registered by the National Court of Justice of PNG as an international and domestic arbitrator. He was ranked by Doyles Guide in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 as one of the country’s leading arbitration Silks.

He is a panel member of many of the leading international arbitral institutions and is regularly appointed as an arbitrator both domestically and internationally. Anthony has sat as both a sole and panel arbitrator including as Chair in over 100 domestic and international arbitrations involving complex commercial, disciplinary and governance disputes.

Anthony is a leading, internationally recognised, sports law Silk and regularly sits as an arbitrator on international and domestic sport tribunals including the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the Football Australia Appeal Panel and Disciplinary and Ethics Committee and the National Sports Tribunal.

Anthony is a part-time Senior Member of NCAT sitting on its Appeal Panel and in the Occupational Division.

Further information about Anthony’s ADR expertise can be accessed here or at www.silkmediator.com.au

Matthew McGirr



Matthew is a highly regarded junior counsel, with a wide-ranging practice primarily focussed on commercial law, common law (including intentional torts), superannuation, property law, construction, strata, and general equity. Matthew regularly appears in all Federal and State courts and tribunals. Matthew will accept briefs in all areas of law.

Prior to being called to the bar, Matthew was a solicitor for over 7 years. Immediately prior to the bar, Matthew was a Senior Solicitor at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), where he advised APRA in relation to several high profile contentious and non-contentious matters.

Prior to APRA, Matthew practised at law firms Herbert Smith Freehills and Gilbert + Tobin. During this period, Matthew acted for some of Australia’s leading companies, including Westpac, CBA, Bupa, Telstra, JP Morgan Australia. Matthew also worked on a number of class actions and commissions of inquiry.

Matthew has also worked as a policy adviser and lawyer at the Australian Institute of Company Directors, where he worked closely with governments, directors, and stakeholders important legal policy issues, including the insolvency safe harbour reforms.

Matthew graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in history. Matthew then graduated from the University of NSW with a Juris Doctor with Honours.

 

 

Alistair Oakes



Alistair was admitted to practice in 2013 and was called to the Bar in 2019. He has a broad practice, with a primary focus in the areas of commercial law, administrative & public law, equity, corporations, insolvency and regulatory law.

Alistair was previously a solicitor in the commercial litigation and banking teams at Allens, focussing on large-scale commercial litigation in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and Federal Court of Australia.

Alistair has also provided full-time service as a legal officer in the Royal Australian Navy, where he was awarded the Royal Australian Naval College prize for the best overall performer at initial officer training, was a legal adviser to the Commander of the Australian Fleet and lectured in administrative law, international law, operational law and military discipline. He remains an active member of the Naval Reserve.

Despite having only average athletic ability, Alistair has a keen interest in sports law. He is an ad hoc clerk for the Court of Arbitration for Sport and has been involved in a range of sports-related arbitrations, including the Essendon Football Club doping appeal and non-compliance proceedings between the Russian Anti-Doping Authority and the World Anti-Doping Authority. He is a member of the Sydney Hockey Association Judiciary and Investigation Committee.

Elizabeth Lambert



Elizabeth was admitted to practice in 2017 and was called to the bar in 2021. Elizabeth has advised and appears in a wide range of civil, commercial and public matters, inquests and appeals, including in the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia, the New South Wales Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the New South Wales Coroner’s Court.

Elizabeth accepts briefs in all areas of the law. She has particular experience in disciplinary proceedings before the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal and appeals under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 in the District Court of New South Wales.

Elizabeth brings a strong legal mind and the ability to grapple with the key issues to be determined. Her unique and diverse professional background, including as a professional athlete, military officer and judicial associate makes her particularly adept at responding to unfamiliar challenges quickly and with confidence.

Kevin Tang



Kevin Tang is a commercial law barrister and practises in :

  • Contract law
  • Equity/trusts
  • Real property
  • Administrative law

Mr Tang was educated in Law at the University of Sydney (LLM) and the London School of Economics (LLM) (UK). Despite having a focus on commercial equity, fraud and breakdown of business relationships, Mr Tang accepts briefs in a wide range of jurisdictions and areas of law eg. wills and estates, judicial advice, shareholder disputes, sale of goods and building & construction. He appears in all jurisdictions and in matters raising difficult property law issues, migration law cases and complicated trust arrangements.

Mr Tang also advises and acts in ecclesiastical/canon law matters concerning clergy discipline and professional standards. He has also acted for charitable institutions and religious organisations seeking advice. He is a member of the Ecclesiastical Law Society of the United Kingdom.

Mr Tang appears frequently as counsel in final hearings (and appeals) in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. He has appeared as leading or sole counsel in the NSW Court of Appeal, the Supreme, District and Local Courts, the Federal Court (including Full Federal Court), the Federal Circuit and various tribunals (NCAT and AAT).

Mr Tang also acts in arbitrations and mediations for parties in the Asia Pacific Region.
Mr Tang also speaks Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) and French (fluently).

Prior to being admitted to the Bar, Kevin practised as a solicitor in large commercial law firms in Sydney in all aspects of commercial dispute resolution. He was also a Judge’s Associate in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and worked for the Hon. PA Bergin SC (former Chief Judge in Equity), the Hon. WV Windeyer and the Hon. Justice MA Pembroke in the Equity Division.

Philippe Doyle Gray



Philippe maintains a diverse practice and has acquired extensive knowledge and experience across most areas of civil law. Since being called to the Bar in 2001, he has represented clients in complex and bespoke litigation, ranging from commercial and equity matters, to professional negligence and professional disciplinary matters, as well as disputes regarding legal costs and disbursements. He is often briefed to advise and appear in cases in which allegations of criminality, fraud, or other serious misconduct are made, which has led to the launch of criminal prosecution proceedings.

Philippe accepts briefs from both solicitors in law firms and in-house legal departments. His widespread experience has seen him represent a vast array of clients, including on a pro bono basis. He appears primarily in the Federal Court of Australia, Supreme Court of New South Wales, and occasionally the District Court of New South Wales. He has also appeared in the High Court of Australia and New South Wales Court of Appeal.

Complementing his litigation practice, Philippe is regularly briefed in mediations and other dispute resolution forums. He is also well placed to act as a Facilitator in Joint Expert Conferences and Conclaves, lending to his extensive experience and expert knowledge in specialist fields including industrial chemistry and mathematics.

Philippe possesses an avid interest in law and its interaction with technology and is focused on the cost-effectiveness of the delivery of justice in order to make litigation affordable to all. He has published a book regarding the ethical use of technology in legal practice and has achieved professional certification in Legal Project Management both domestically and in the United States of America (the first barrister so certified). Philippe’s recognition is evidenced by his appointment as the first lawyer practising outside North America to the Council of the American Bar Association Law Practice Division.

Philippe has also had significant involvement with the New South Wales Bar Association in varying capacities, including as former Honorary Secretary of the Association and as a founding member of one of its Committees. His international reach has seen him regularly deliver presentations on developments in the law and topical issues in Australia and abroad, including to the judiciary and new barristers. Notably, Philippe is the first and only Australian invited by the American Bar Association to lecture at its annual legal technology conference in Chicago, TECHSHOW. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and Bachelor of Arts degree (with a major in chemistry) from the University of Sydney.

Mark Robertson



Maintaining a broad commercial practice, Mark has been called to the Bars of New South Wales and New Zealand. He is very well placed to advise on Trans-Tasman matters having gained considerable experience in as a solicitor and at the independent bar in NSW and in New Zealand. He is willing to take briefs and provide advice on legal matters in either jurisdiction.

His principal areas of practice include:

  • Insurance law and professional negligence.;
  • General contract and commercial law;
  • Equity matters and trust litigation;
  • Corporations’ law and shareholder disputes
  • Insolvency;
  • Cross-border matters involving New Zealand and NSW.

Mark is commended by his clients for his pragmatism, analytical skills and furnishing cost effective and efficient advice. He possesses a strong ability to distil complex matters into clear and understandable advice and has a demonstrated ability to identify key legal issues and articulate case law to form conclusions. Mark adds significant value to his clients by being flexible, timely and responsive.

Previously, Mark practised as a solicitor in a large commercial law firm in Sydney, predominantly in the area of insurance litigation, with a focus on professional indemnity. Prior experience also includes practising as a solicitor in the investment treaty and international commercial arbitration team of a large international commercial firm in London.

Mark holds a Master of Business and Law from the Bucerius Law School / WHU Otto-Beisheim School of Management in Hamburg Germany from which he received an award for the best overall student. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Lachlan Menzies



Lachlan Menzies is a commercial litigator with more than 20 years’ experience. His practice combines large matters in collaboration with Senior Counsel, and a full range of matters unled. As well as litigation, he is briefed for transactional advice and drafting including direct briefs from in-house counsel.

A strong position, control, and success in Court are built on precision in pleadings, affidavits, written submissions and associated legal research. Close cooperation with instructing lawyers and a positive client connection are maintained through practical advice, and meetings and calls in conference. Lachlan is adept at Information Technology in legal practice and holds a degree in computer science.

Lachlan mainly practises in State and Federal jurisdictions in New South Wales, and also acts in trials and on appeal in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Lachlan is a lecturer in the Master of Applied Law courses at the College of Law, appointed in 2009.

For further information including areas of practice, please refer to Lachlan’s CV, linked on this page.

Julian Zmood



Since coming to the Bar, Julian has been retained in a broad range of commercial disputes, including class actions, disputes that relate to equitable obligations (fiduciary obligations, breaches of confidence and of trust), contracts, the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and property.

Julian appears, regularly, in the District Court, the Supreme Court and in the Federal Court of Australia.

Before coming to the Bar, Julian was in-house counsel for broadcast media and technology companies, both in Australia and in the United Kingdom.

Julian holds BA and LL.B (Hons) degrees from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Laws (LL.M) with Distinction from King’s College, University of London.

Julian is member of the Victorian Bar (Young’s List)

https://www.youngslist.com.au/the-list/julian-zmood

Joel Cook



Joel is an experienced commercial litigator. He accepts briefs in a broad range of commercial and civil matters in all Australian jurisdictions.

Prior to being called to the bar in 2018, Joel was a solicitor at mid and top-tier firms in Sydney.  He has a keen professional interest in corporate and personal insolvency, succession law and trusts.

Joel works closely with clients, their advisors, and key stakeholders to provide comprehensive but practical advice. His approach is pragmatic and outcome-focussed. He identifies, develops and implements strategies that achieve commercial as well as legal outcomes.

Jeffrey Rose



Jeffrey possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience as a commercial litigator, which he has developed while practising as a solicitor for almost two decades, followed by more than 10 years as a barrister. He accepts briefs to advise or to appear on matters in all areas of law and in all jurisdictions across Australia.

He maintains a busy and diverse practice, with particular expertise in the areas of commercial law, administrative law, equity, corporations, insolvency, insurance, property and estates matters, and in military law. He has appeared in a broad range of Federal and State jurisdictions, including in Federal courts and tribunals, and in courts and tribunals in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.

Jeffrey also appears as Counsel in mediations and in Royal Commissions and other statutory inquiries.  Jeffrey is often called upon to appear as Counsel in urgent interlocutory hearings, where he has achieved successful outcomes for clients applying for or defending claims for urgent relief.

In addition to his practice as a barrister, Jeffrey sits as a part-time Tribunal Member in the Consumer and Commercial Division of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), where he hears and determines a wide variety of consumer, commercial and tenancy claims.

Jeffrey is a Legal Officer in the Royal Australian Navy Reserve, where he is commissioned as a Lieutenant. He holds an Australian Government security clearance.  He has received several Civil and Military Awards, including the Australian Active Service Medal for his service with the International Coalition Against Terrorism in 2013.  He is also the current Honorary Legal Counsel to Scouts NSW.  He appeared as Counsel for Scouts Australia and Scouts NSW in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.  He has drafted or settled submissions to Government for various clients on areas of law reform, including on the establishment of the National Redress Scheme.

Jeffrey holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)(with Merit) from the University of New South Wales.  He has completed postgraduate courses in legal practice management, notarial practice and in military law.  He is currently studying for a Graduate Diploma in Military Law with the University of Adelaide, sponsored by the Department of Defence.

Jeffrey accepts briefs from solicitors and from in-house legal counsel. He is commended by his clients for his attention to detail, depth of knowledge and his meticulous preparation of submissions on both law and facts.

Charles Carroll



Charles Carroll began practising at the NSW Bar in 2002.
He is regularly briefed in a range of areas including contractual and equity disputes, corporations law matters, professional negligence, litigation over real property, trade practices and crime.

Charles frequently appears in all NSW State courts. In recent times, his practice has focused on professional negligence matters following his appearance in Tomasetti v Brailey [2012] NSWCA 399 and property disputes following Galafassi v Kelly (2014) 87 NSWLR 119.

Additionally, Charles is a casual teacher in Contracts at the University of Sydney.

Senior

Anthony Cheshire SC

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Anthony was called to the English Bar in 1992 and practised at the bar in London before moving to the New South Wales Bar in 2004. He practices from the 8th Floor of Wentworth Chambers in a broad range of areas, but with a particular focus upon general commercial, corporations, insolvency, equity, probate, charities, associations, inquiries, property, licensing, insurance and professional negligence. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2015.

Anthony has been involved in several hearings of note, including the Walker inquiry into Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals, the ICAC inquiries involving Craig Knowles and Bob Carr, Melissa Hawach’s efforts to discover the whereabouts of her ex-husband after he had abducted her children, Patrick Power’s disciplinary hearing, the Callinan inquiry into equine influenza, the Beasley inquiry into Auburn Council, the Trade Union Royal Commission, the Financial Services Royal Commission and the NewCap Reinsurance Company litigation that ran for over a year and then for a month on appeal.

Anthony is regularly briefed to advise and appear in interstate matters and in States and Territories across Australia.

In 2017/18 Anthony was Counsel Assisting the Inquiry before the Hon Patricia Bergin SC under the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 into the Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch), RSL Welfare and Benevolent Institute and RSL LifeCare Limited.

Anthony acts as a mediator and arbitrator. He also lectures and gives legal training extensively.

Anthony is currently the floor Head of Chambers.

Adam Butt



Adam Butt is an Australian Barrister based in Sydney who specializes in international arbitration, commercial litigation and human rights law. Prior to joining the New South Wales Bar he practiced as a solicitor at Allens Linklaters and as a senior associate in the international arbitration team at Clayton Utz.

Adam has acted on numerous international investment and commercial arbitrations with seats in Europe, Asia, Australia, North America and the Caribbean, including several matters as assistant to Hon James Spigelman AC. He acts on complex commercial and human rights cases and regularly leads teams in Federal and state Supreme Courts, in cases both for and against the Crown. He has won major native title and Aboriginal land claim disputes across Australia, in addition to significant claims brought under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).

During 2020 to 2023, Adam was a finalist each year in Australia’s Lawyers Weekly Barrister of the Year Award, including winning the Award in 2021.

Adam has postgraduate degrees in law and politics from New York University and Cambridge where he placed first in several subjects, and has been a visiting scholar in negotiation at Harvard. He is also admitted as an attorney in New York. Previously, Adam worked with the judges at the ICTY in The Hague, on the trial of Slobodan Milošević, and as a permanent part time assistant to two eminent international arbitrators.

Adam is a current member of the NSW Bar Association’s Human Rights Committee. He regularly publishes and presents in Australia and overseas on ADR, expert evidence, contract and civil procedure. He has been a board member of several international ADR bodies in Australia and overseas.