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Jocelyn Jaffray



Jocelyn Jaffray practices nationally, undertaking trial and appellate work, regularly appearing led and unled in various State and Federal Courts. She has appeared in the High Court. Jocelyn practises predominantly in commercial law, and is often briefed to appear unled in final hearings and on contested motions, and as junior counsel in large-scale and complex matters. She is ranked as a leading junior barrister, Tier 1, in the Legal 500 – Australian Bar, Commercial Disputes section (2024, 2025).

Jocelyn acts for listed Australian and International public companies and private corporations, government departments and agencies, and high net worth individuals.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Jocelyn was a solicitor at Herbert Smith Freehills and before this she was an Associate to Justice Kiefel of the High Court of Australia. Jocelyn completed a masters of law at the University of Cambridge in 2010 and studied Advanced Finance electives at Wharton Business School in 2023.

Bart Dziubinski



Bart accepts briefs in a broad range of areas including commercial, equity, corporations, regulatory, financial services, insolvency, and taxation law.

Before his call to the bar, Bart was a senior associate at O’Loughlin Westhoff, a boutique litigation firm.  Before that, he was tipstaff to the Honourable Justice RW White of the NSW Court of Appeal, and to the Honourable Justice SG Campbell of the Supreme Court of NSW.  Bart teaches Equity at the University of Technology Sydney.

Bart holds a Bachelor of Civil Law (with Distinction) from the University of Oxford, a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours and University Medal) and a Bachelor of Business (Economics) from the University of Technology Sydney.

Christopher Marshall



Chris has a broad commercial practice, including consumer law, equity and trusts, contractual disputes, property law, and commercial arbitration. He was admitted to the legal profession in 2016 and called to the Bar in 2021.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Chris was a Senior Associate in the commercial litigation practice group at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, where he worked on matters across the Supreme Courts of New South Wales and Western Australia, the Federal Court of Australia, and two appeals to the High Court of Australia.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) from the University of Sydney.

Bradley Smith



Bradley has a broad practice and accepts briefs in all areas of civil law.  He has particular experience in commercial law, corporations law, insolvency, real property, equity, insurance law and inquests.  He was admitted to the legal profession in 2018 and called to the Bar in 2020.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Bradley was a solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons where he worked on a wide range of commercial disputes, with a focus on corporate insolvency.  In 2017, Bradley was Tipstaff to the Honourable Justice Rowan Darke, the Real Property List judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.  At university, Bradley won a number of prizes including first place in corporations law and evidence law, as well as best oralist in the Australian rounds of the Jessup Moot.

Bradley holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney.

 

 

Julian Brezniak



Julian accepts briefs in all areas of law. He was admitted in New South Wales in 2014 and New York in 2018.

Before coming to the bar, Julian was at Quinn Emmanuel Urquhart & Sullivan in New York where he worked on significant commercial litigation in State and Federal courts. Prior to that he practiced as a solicitor at Herbert Smith Freehills in Sydney, where he focused on white collar crime and competition law. In 2015, Julian was Tipstaff to the Hon Justice F Gleeson in the New South Wales Court of Appeal.

Julian holds a Masters of Law from New York University, a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Economics (Distinction) from the University of New South Wales.

Matthew Darke SC



Matthew appears in and advises on a range of complex commercial, regulatory, insurance, and intellectual property matters.  He has significant experience in class actions and civil penalty proceedings.

Matthew is recognised by:

  • Chambers & Partners, in Band 1 of their Asia-Pacific senior counsel rankings for 2025;
  • The Legal 500, in Band 1 as a leading silk in commercial disputes;
  • Doyle’s Guide 2023/2024, as a Leading senior counsel in Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property litigation, and Class Action litigation;
  • Best Lawyers Australia 2026, in its lists for Banking and Finance Law, Class Action Litigation, Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Insurance Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Litigation; and
  • Who’s Who Legal: Commercial Litigation, as a leading litigation legal figure.

Matthew’s past and current clients include Westpac, NAB, IOOF, KPMG, Qantas, Virgin, AMP and Nuix.

Notable recent and current matters include:

  • representing Nuix in a $183 million claim by its former CEO, Eddie Sheehy, in relation to certain share options: Sheehy v Nuix Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 56;
  • representing insurers in resisting a claim for indemnity by SunWater in relation to its liability in the Queensland Floods class action: Liberty Mutual Insurance Company v SunWater Ltd (No 2) [2021] NSWSC 1582 (first instance); SunWater Limited v Liberty Mutual Insurance Company [2022] NSWCA 273 (appeal);
  • representing Virgin Australia Holdings in ongoing class action proceedings brought on behalf of purchasers of unsecured notes: Matheson Property Group Pty Ltd (Trustee) v Virgin Australia Holdings Limited [2022] FCA 1243;
  • representing JLT Risk Solutions in class action proceedings brought on behalf of NSW local councils alleging breaches of contract, negligence and breaches of fiduciary duties: Richmond Valley Council v JLT Risk Solutions Pty Ltd [2022] NSWSC 1761;
  • representing Westpac in ongoing regulatory proceedings brought by ASIC alleging insider trading and unconscionable conduct;
  • representing Meta in ongoing class action proceedings alleging anti-competitive conduct in connection with Meta’s cryptocurrency advertising ban;
  • representing Katy Perry in ongoing trade mark proceedings brought by an Australian designer styled Katie Perry (judgment reserved);
  • representing Jaguar Land Rover Australia in ongoing product liability class action proceedings concerning the diesel particular filter on certain Jaguar and Land Rover model vehicles sold in Australia.

     

Francis Douglas KC



In his time at the Bar, and since he took silk, Mr Douglas has been involved in a wide range of work at the highest level in constitutional and other fields of public law including public international law, and commissions of inquiry. He has been involved in cases such as the Nuclear Test Case in the International Court, and the Tasmanian Dams Case in the High Court. He was also Senior Counsel for the Applicants in both challenges to the cross-vesting legislation in the High Court. He has appeared as counsel in arbitrations in India, and sat as an arbitrator in the London Court of International Arbitration (“LCIA”) and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (“SIAC”).

Over the course of his career he has also been involved in a wide range of cases at first instance and on appeal in most fields of commercial law, in all of the States and Territories of Australia, and in the Federal and High Courts. He is primarily interested in appellate work and work in the field of alternative dispute resolution including arbitration and mediation. He has received recognition in Best Lawyers for ADR and Commercial Litigation since 2013, and is included in Doyle’s List 2019 as a leading mediator in New South Wales. Who’s Who Legal will recognise him as among the world’s leading commercial arbitration experts for 2021. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Mr Douglas is listed in Best Lawyers in Australia 2026 for his work in:

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Commercial Law
  • Litigation


Education

BA LLB Qld;
LLB (Cantab);
Diploma International Law (Cantab);
FCIArb (Fellowship Chartered Institute of Arbitrators)

Jason Spinak



Jason has a broad commercial practice. He has extensive experience in contractual and equity disputes as well as matters involving the Competition and Consumer Act, appearing on behalf of domestic and international litigants.

Education

University of NSW: Bachelor of Laws (Honours equiv.)

  • Butterworths Prize for Best Performance in Constitutional Law
  • UNSW Academic Paper Prize
  • First place in Contemporary Legal Theory

University of Sydney: Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours in History)

Previous Experience

Prior to commencing practice at the Bar, Jason worked as a lawyer at Gilbert +Tobin; as a Tipstaff/Researcher to the Hon. David Ipp AO QC, former Judge of Appeal, Supreme Court of NSW; as a member of the Secretariat of the Commonwealth Review of the Law of Negligence; and as lecturer in law at the University of NSW Law School.
Jason also completed studies in Comparative and International Law at the Sorbonne, Paris.

Experience at the Bar

Cases of note include:

  • Appearing for Prysmian Power Cables & Systems Pty Ltd, the world’s largest electrical cable manufacturer in defending cartel and bid rigging proceedings brought by the ACCC: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Olex Australia Pty Ltd & Ors [2017] FCA 222.
  • Appearing for major wine producer Wine Insights in a dispute over a contract of supply: Wine Insights Pty Ltd v. OneBev Pty Ltd [2016] VCC 1603.
  • Appearing for Aldi Foods Pty Ltd in Supreme Court proceedings in 2014 for breach of contract arising from a development agreement: Aldi Foods Pty Ltd v Ifould Pty Ltd.
  • Appearing for global foreign exchange company the Change Group International Plc in a passing-off and misleading and deceptive conduct case against a competitor: Change Group International Plc v City Exchange Mart Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 1048; The Change Group International Plc v City Exchange Mart Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 1188.
  • Appearing for the plaintiff in a dispute over the sale and dissolution of a joint venture maritime business: Antzen Pty Ltd v Mastercraft Marine Pty Ltd and Ors [2013] NSWDC 124.
  • Appearing for Lifehealthcare Distribution Pty Ltd in Supreme Court proceedings for damages for breaches of the Fair Trading Act 1987 and breach of warranty arising from the sale of shares in a medical device supplier: LifeHealthcare Distribution Pty Ltd v Stewart Nicholas and Ors [2011] NSWSC 661.
  • Appearing for Aldi Foods Pty Ltd in Supreme Court proceedings for alleged breaches of s 52 the Trade Practices Act 1974 arising from failed lease negotiations with a supermarket developer: BBB Constructions Pty Ltd v Aldi Foods Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 1352 and on appeal BBB Constructions Pty Ltd v Aldi Foods Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 224.
  • Appearing for a Federal Member of the House of Representatives against whom injunctive relief was sought pursuant to s 383 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, to restrain the distribution of postal voting application material during the 2010 Federal Election: Peebles v Honorable Tony Burke [2010] FCA 838; Peebles v Honorable Tony Burke (No 2) [2010] FCA 861.
  • Appearing for the NSW Trustee and Guardian in respect of the liability of an incoming tutor for the costs associated with the previous tutor’s tenure: Al Mousaway bht Imelda Margaret Dodds v Howitt Stevens Construction Pty Ltd & Ors (No 2) [2010] NSWSC 1398.
  • Appearing in the NSW Court of Appeal, in an appeal against a finding that during negotiations for the sale of a magazine business the appellant vendors engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct: Culligan and Anor v Aco Pty Ltd [2009] NSWCA 290.
  • Appearing for a national real estate agent in a dispute over an agent’s authority to accept less than a 10% deposit on a Contract for Sale of Land: Markson v Cutler and Anor [2007] NSWSC 1515; (2007) 13 BPR 25,127; and on appeal to the Court of Appeal: Vameba Pty Ltd v Markson [2008] NSWCA 266.
  • Appearing for a discretionary beneficiary seeking to prevent the dissipation of trust assets arising from a complex securitization scheme: Crossman v PILT Nominees [2009] NSWSC 393; Crossman v PILT Nominees Pty Ltd [2008] NSWSC 557; PILT Nominees v Baltarna [2009] NSWSC 656.

Publications
“Common Law Liability of Clubs for Injury to Intoxicated Patrons”: Cole v South Tweed Heads Rugby League Football Club Ltd” (with Rosalind Dixon) University of New South Wales Law Journal, Vol 27 No 3 2004 pp 816-825. (Cited by the High Court in Roncevich v Repatriation Commission (2005) 222 CLR 115.)

Julian Sexton SC



Mr Sexton is listed in Doyle’s Guide 2024 as Leading Professional Indemnity Senior Counsel NSW and previously as Recommended Insurance Law Senior Counsel New South Wales.

He is also recognised in Best Lawyers in Australia 2026 for his work in:

  • Insurance Law
  • Class Action Litigation
  • Litigation
  • Shipping and Maritime Law

Richard Scruby SC



Mr Scruby has a broad ranging practice with a focus on commercial, insolvency, corporations and taxation (State and Commonwealth) matters.  He regularly appears in appeals, trials and commercial arbitrations.  In 2015 he was counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Trade Union Corruption.  Before coming to the bar, he worked as an associate to Justice Callinan in the High Court of Australia.  He has a BCL and MPhil from Oxford University and a BA (hons 1st class and university medal in English) and LLB (hons first class) Sydney University.  Mr Scruby has adopted the national equitable briefing policy and was a member of the Diversity and Equality Committee of the New South Wales Bar Association from 2016 to 2018.  He has published a number of articles in academic journals on corporations and commercial law.  Mr Scruby is listed in Best Lawyers 2026 in the area of Litigation.

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 ranked in Chambers and Partners’ Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 in Dispute Resolution: The Bar.  He is also recognised in Best Lawyers 2026 in the categories of Class Action Litigation, Commercial Law and Litigation.  Charles has previously been listed 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).

Stefan Balafoutis SC



Stefan advises and appears for corporations, government agencies and individuals in complex commercial disputes.  He is recognised in Best Lawyers Australia 2026 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.