Profile

Chris is a civil barrister of wide experience, with a particular expertise in insurance matters, both life and general.  He was called to the Bar in 1999, having commenced legal practice in 1991 with Minter Ellison and later spent time in house as General Counsel and Company Secretary with a part of the AXA Group.
 

In addition to the expected legal skills, Chris holds a Masters’ Degree in Business Administration and has a pragmatic business-like approach to disputed matters.

Chris was accredited as a mediator in 2000, and remains nationally accredited.
 

Chris’ practice encompasses;
 

• Life Insurance: disability, income protection, death, group policies, etc;
• General Insurance: broadform business, professional indemnity, directors and officers, public liability, fire and perils, etc;
• Commercial: contractual and other disputes, debt, banking, guarantees, etc;
• Negligence;
• Trusts;
• Australian Consumer Law;
• Corporations;
• Administrative Law: judicial review.

As is common in Victoria, most cases in which Chris is involved are resolved by negotiation prior to trial or judgment.  Matters which have run to determination include:
 

Folmer v VicSuper Pty Ltd [2018] NSWSC 1503:  life insurance, group policy, total and permanent disability

Finadri v Westpac Life Insurance Services Limited [2018] VCC 2018:  life insurance, fraud

Shepherd v AMP Staff Superannuation (Australia) Pty Ltd [2017] VCC 566:  superannuation, total and permanent disablement

Pavlovic v Commonwealth Insurance Limited [2017] VSC 2017:  appeal from VCAT, general insurance

Westpac Life Insurance Services Ltd v Guirgis:  [2015] VSCA 239:  appeal to the Court of Appeal, life insurance, total and permanent disablement

Guirgis v Westpac Life Insurance Services Ltd [2014] VCC 2039:  life insurance, total and permanent disablement

Stallard v Hume City Council [2015] VCC 1890:  occupiers’ liability, negligence

Shuetrim v FSS Trustee Corporation [2015] NSWSC 464:  life insurance, group policy, total and permanent disablement

National Transport Insurance v Hammersley 2015 HCA Special Leave Application:  general insurance policy construction

Victorian Workcover Authority v Yarra City Council [2014] VCC 1841:  s.138 recovery, negligence, contribution

Marnica v Carter [2014] VSC 247:  accident compensation, fitness for purpose

Buzadzic v Calliden Insurance Limited [2014] VCC 1253:  general insurance, fraud

Smith v Jovansoka [2013] VSC 675:  occupiers’ liability, negligence

Fitzroy Dental v Metropole Management [2013] VSC 344:  landlord and tenant, retail leases

Jeffrey-Potts v Garel [2012] VSC 237:  equitable remedies, constructive trust

Biddle v Allan [2012] VSC 538:  leave to appeal regarding alleged failure to accord procedural fairness

Summers v The National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Ltd [2013] TASFC 5:  appeal to Full Court regarding life insurance, income protection

Summers v The National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Ltd [2011] TASSC 69:  life insurance, income protection

Semenov v Pirvu [2011] VSC 605:  appeal regarding damages for conversion

CECA Institute Pty Ltd v Australian Council for Private Education and Training (2010) 245 FLR 86:  judicial review regarding application for membership

Velardo v Andonov (2010) 24 VR 240:  appeal to the Court of Appeal from VCAT regarding offer of settlement

Henderson-Smart v Quality Blow Moulders Pty Ltd (2010) 25 VR 724:  appeal to the Court of Appeal regarding guarantee

Russell v GWM Adviser Services Ltd;  [2010] VCC 1619:  negligent advice/financial planning

Bacchus Gift Pty Ltd v Martrak Pty Ltd  [2010] VCC 0541:  sale and purchase of hotel business with alleged misstatement of sales

Russell v GWM Adviser Services Ltd: VSCA 3814 of 2009: appeal to the Court of Appeal from interlocutory decision regarding extension of time to serve writ