Archives

Charles Colquhoun SC



Charles has a broad commercial practice, including competition and consumer protection, corporations and insolvency, equity and trusts, insurance, professional negligence, banking law, property law and private international law.  Within these areas, he has worked extensively in commercial arbitrations, class actions and regulatory proceedings.

Charles holds a Master of Law from the University of Cambridge (with First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts/Laws (with First Class Honours) from the University of Sydney.  Prior to coming to the Bar, Charles was a senior associate at Herbert Smith (now Herbert Smith Freehills) in London and a solicitor at Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons) in Sydney and worked as an associate at the Federal Court of Australia.

Charles is recognised in Best Lawyers 2025 in the categories of Class Action Litigation, Commercial Law and Litigation. He has also been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Junior Counsel (NSW), Leading Class Action Barrister (Australia) and Leading Insolvency & Restructuring Junior Counsel (NSW).

Hilbert Chiu SC



Prior to commencing practice at the Bar, Hilbert was tipstaff to the Hon. Justice Peter Garling RFD in the Supreme Court of NSW. Before that, he worked as a solicitor at Freehills.

He is listed in Doyle’s Best Barristers Guide as: “Preeminent” Professional Indemnity Junior Counsel NSW 2023; “Leading” Insurance & Personal Injury Law Junior Counsel NSW 2023; and “Leading” Construction and Infrastructure Junior Counsel NSW 2024.

Hilbert is also recognised in Best Lawyers Australia 2025 for his practice in the areas of Insurance Law, Litigation, Medical Negligence, Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation.

Stefan Balafoutis SC



Stefan advises and appears for corporations, government agencies and individuals in complex commercial disputes.  He is recognised in Best Lawyers Australia 2025 for his expertise in Commercial Law.  He has a particular interest in contracts, property law, taxation, regulatory disputes, corporations law and intellectual property.

Contractual, property and regulatory disputes: clients include Ford Motor Company, Lendlease, Optus, Westpac, Qantas, the ACCC and the Australian Energy Regulator.  He also acts for medium size businesses and property developers in a broad range of disputes.

Taxation: Stefan is regularly briefed by the Chief Commissioner of State Revenue and taxpayers.  He has appeared in leading cases about stamp duty, payroll tax and land tax.  Recent matters include appearances in the NSW Supreme Court and Court of Appeal about whether the purchase of power stations should attract stamp duty, whether medical centres’ payments to doctors should be subject to payroll tax, and the extent of the employment agency and relevant contracts provisions.

Corporations law: Stefan has been awarded an Advanced Certificate in Insolvency from ARITA and is a professional member of ARITA.  He appears for liquidators and corporations.  Stefan has experience in oppression proceedings, matters alleging breach of directors’ duties and proceedings seeking the recovery of unfair preferences and uncommercial transactions.

Intellectual property: clients include Universal Music, Phonographic Performance Company of Australia and Sony.  Stefan has acted in substantial trade mark and copyright disputes in the Federal Court and Copyright Tribunal.