Peter Harris

Profile

Peter practices widely across common law, public and administrative law, and in inquisitorial jurisdictions. He has particular expertise in areas involving the intersection of medicine, science and the law, including coronial inquests, regulatory proceedings, medical negligence claims, and health law generally. The breadth of Peter’s experience enables him to work across various courts and tribunals, handling complex matters, which often entail multiple interconnected proceedings.

Before coming to the Bar, Peter was a Senior Associate at Avant Law – working for Australia’s largest medical defence insurer. In that role, Peter acted for doctors, medical and allied health practitioners, and medical practices. He handled matters across a range of practice areas, including: medical negligence litigation, coronial inquests, regulatory proceedings, Medicare investigations, privacy investigations, judicial appeals and reviews, and criminal proceedings. In the course of such matters, Peter has appeared in the Coroner’s Court, VCAT, IBAC, the Magistrates’ Court, the County Court and the Supreme Court of Victoria.  

Previously, Peter worked in the Office of the Chief Coroner in New Zealand, and appeared as counsel assisting the Coroner in a number of inquests (both led and unled) into matters such as deaths in custody, workplace deaths and cases involving occupational health and safety, and deaths relating to medical treatment and care.

Peter holds a Master of Laws with first class honours, with his research investigating an intersection between law and medicine in relation to the regulation of medicines and health products. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Peter has published and presented both his undergraduate and postgraduate research across Australia and New Zealand.

In 2017, Peter was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, and in 2019, he was admitted in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

More broadly, Peter has been involved for many years in creating and leading organisations aimed at fostering alpine climbing and mountaineering in New Zealand and internationally. He currently serves as President of a not-for-profit society dedicated to organising and supporting international climbing expeditions, and as Secretary for another organisation that mentors young alpinists.

Peter read with Morgan McLay and his senior mentor is Ben Ihle KC.