Our Services
BARRISTER LITIGATION
General Advocacy
Since coming to the Bar in 1981, Richard has appeared regularly in all Australian civil and criminal courts — Federal Court (trials and appeals), Supreme Court of NSW (trials and appeals), District Court, Local Courts and specialist tribunals. When negotiations fail or opposing parties refuse to engage reasonably, he has the trial experience to take a matter through to judgment and on appeal.
Commercial litigation experience spans oppression suits, insolvency, disputed financial transactions, partnership and workplace disputes, defamation, land and strata matters, and intellectual property — including copyright, trademark, passing off, confidential information, counterfeit goods and publishing disputes. His practice regularly involves forensic accountants, business valuers and other specialists; where assets have been concealed or parties are uncooperative, that investigative depth is often decisive.
Matrimonial Cases
Richard has appeared in hundreds of contested matrimonial property matters across all levels of the Australian court system, including the High Court of Australia, Federal Court (trials and appeals), Supreme Court of NSW (trials and appeals) and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (trials and appeals).
Significant reported cases include:
Chang and Su — trial, appeal and High Court; widely regarded as the lead jurisdiction case on non-disclosure
Chorn and Hopkins — trial and appeal; costs add-backs and judicial discretion
Re Mackay — High Court; superannuation
Re Bernadette — appeal; Human Rights
Deceased Estates
Richard has run many contested estate matters — about will validity, testamentary capacity, undue influence, financial abuse, will interpretation, property valuation and Succession Act claims. He acts for plaintiffs seeking greater provision or executors defending or negotiating claims. This often involves reconstruction of years of financial transactions, asset tracing and close collaboration with or cross-examination of medical or financial experts. Where matters involve possible financial elder abuse, his experience with complex financial and geriatric medical material is directly relevant.
Strata Law Updates
Our Services at a Glance
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Arbitrator (e.g. Family)
AIFLAM-accredited arbitrator who brings hundreds of contested family law matters and a University of Adelaide Certificate in Arbitration (Distinction) to delivering binding resolutions without the cost and delay of court. Arbitration is available for matrimonial property and commercial disputes, with flexible scheduling and complimentary use of 64 Castlereagh Street Chambers.
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Mediator
As a Supreme Court of NSW Panel Mediator, Richard draws on decades of experience across commercial, family and estate litigation to identify core issues and guide parties toward resolution. Mediations are conducted for matrimonial property, deceased estate and commercial disputes, with 64 Castlereagh Street Chambers available at no additional charge.
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Barrister/Litigation
Commercial litigation experience spans oppression suits, insolvency, disputed financial transactions, partnership and workplace disputes, defamation, land and strata matters, and intellectual property — including copyright, trademark, passing off, confidential information, counterfeit goods and publishing disputes.