WHAT DOES THE SEMINAR COVER? A dishonest agent of a company causes a bank to transfer funds out of the company’s account and then absconds with the money. If the agent can be found, there may be personal claims against them. If traceable proceeds can be found, there may be proprietary claims in respect of them. But what about claims against the bank? It has long been clear that banks are under a duty to refrain from executing a customer’s order if, and for so long as, the bank has reasonable grounds for believing that the order is an attempt to defraud the customer—sometimes referred to in E ..read more

What does the seminar cover? In the decision of Vanderstock v Victoria [2023] HCA 30, the High Court held by a narrow 4:3 majority that a tax imposed by Victoria on the use of electrical and hybrid vehicles was invalid. The tax was held to be a “duty of excise” which, under s 90 of the Constitution, States cannot impose. Section 90 reserves to the Commonwealth Parliament the exclusive power to impose duties of excise. The decision is significant because the majority reopened and overruled previous High Court authority to reach that conclusion. It is also significant because it may affect the v ..read more

WHAT DOES THE SEMINAR COVER? Discretionary trusts in Australia are drafted to give trustees maximum flexibility in the exercise of their discretions, which are variously described as “uncontrolled”, “absolute” and even “irresponsible”. Since the 19th century the Courts have declined to examine the exercise (or non exercise) of these discretions, except in very special circumstances. The Courts have supposed that it is the settlor’s express desire that just as they could give away their own property as they see fit, where reasonably or not, so can they permit their trustee to do so for any bene ..read more

What will the seminar cover? The primary purpose of the Courts in any legal system must be to determine the truth. In common law systems, that purpose is generally facilitated by subjecting witnesses to cross-examination and requiring parties to disclose and produce relevant documents. However, in certain cases, one may resist giving relevant information or producing relevant documents by invoking the doctrine of legal professional privilege. The history of legal professional privilege stretches over half a millennium. Despite this, it continues to be tested by litigants and refined by the Cou ..read more

What will the seminar cover? The Strategy of Pleadings was the second of four education events in 2023 co-hosted by Queensland Young Lawyers and Level Twenty Seven Chambers. Oliver Cook (Level Twenty Seven Chambers) and Jayleigh Sargent (16 Quay Central) facilitated this session. Topics covered: - The purpose of pleadings - Advocacy through pleadings - Strategic approaches to pleadings   Who should watch? The session was targeted at those up to PQE 5 years but more experienced lawyers will find it a helpful a refresher.   PRESENTERS Oliver Cook (Barrister, Level Twenty Seven Chambers ..read more

What will the seminar cover? This was the first CPD in a series of four co-hosted by Level Twenty Seven Chambers and Queensland Young Lawyers covering essential lawyer knowledge and skills.  Both having practised as solicitors at international law firms prior to joining the bar, Michael Trim (Level Twenty Seven Chambers) and Tim Stork (Lucinda Chambers) shared practical tips on preparing for trials in the commercial and planning & environment courts. Who should watch? The session was targeted at those up to PQE 5 years but more experienced lawyers will find it a helpful a refresh. &n ..read more

What will the seminar cover? This seminar was hosted as a collaboration between the Downs & South West QLD Law Association (DSWQLA) and Level Twenty Seven Chambers 1730 on 1 December 2022. Shane Monks and Kristi Riedel (Level Twenty Seven Chambers) and Clare Dart (Inns of Court) are barristers who are well-versed in commercial, insurance and family law disputes. They look at strategic questions for your client concerning offers to settle such as: When should you make an offer to settle? How might a settlement dis/advantage your client? What types of settlement are available to commercial ..read more

Queensland Young Lawyers (QYL) and the barristers at Level Twenty Seven Chambers curated a series of four CPDs spanning 2022 to provide young lawyers with knowledge essential to their role. The final installment ‘Disclosure’ was facilitated by Sarah Spottiswood and Oliver Cook. Sarah and Oliver are barristers practising from Level Twenty Seven Chambers (Brisbane, Australia) but prior to commencing at the Bar they were solicitors in government departments and an international law firm respectively. They will draw from a deep understanding of the litigation process to highlight:  1. What ..read more

What will the seminar cover? Appearing on an Application was event three in a four part series co-hosted by Queensland Young Lawyers (QYL) and Level Twenty Seven Chambers which aimed to provide informative and practical sessions on skills barristers and solicitors are often expected to know but not always formally taught. While sessions are typically aimed at lawyers of 3-5 years PQE, those completing their legal training and with additional PQE are also welcome. The speakers, Nicholas Andreatidis KC and Florence Chen are barristers practising in commercial law from Level Twenty Seven Chambers ..read more

What will the seminar cover? Briefing Counsel is a webinar co-hosted by Queensland Young Lawyers (QYL) and Level Twenty Seven Chambers. This is the second event in a series covering essential topics and skills junior lawyers should be on top of. Junior barristers, Mei Ying-Barnes and Hannah Lilley, who practise from Level Twenty Seven Chambers shared tips on: How to find suitably skilled barristers for your matter What documents should be included in a brief Tips on ways to communicate with counsel during an ongoing matter Mei and Hannah's advice comes from the position of having briefed bar ..read more