November 22, 2023
E | clerk@153phillip.com.au
P | 02 9132 5711Sue Chrysanthou SC is a leading defamation barrister whose practice also includes intellectual property matters, inquiries, breach of confidence and privacy disputes. She was called to the bar in 2004 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2020.
She actively participates in law reform and frequently speaks about issues relating to defamation, freedom of speech, open justice, privacy and the media. Sue has acted in a number of key cases for plaintiffs and defendants including Rush v Nationwide News, Hanson-Young v Leyonhjelm, Herron v HarperCollins, Schiff v Nine, Lehrmann v Wilkinson and Deeming v Pesutto.
As a parent, pet owner, beekeeper, baker, wildlife carer and alleged amateur breakdancer, Sue offers a range of perspectives on legal and non-legal issues.
Communications and Media Law
Confidential Information
Contracts
Defamation
Intellectual Property
Privacy Law
Suppression and non-publication orders
Trade Practices
Masters of Laws (UNSW)
BComm(Media Arts & Production)/BLaws(First Class Honours) UTS
Senior Counsel – 2020
Barrister – 2004
Ranked in Doyles Guide as a Leading Defamation Senior Counsel - NSW, 2026
Ranked in Doyles Guide as a Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Senior Counsel - Australia, 2023 and 2024
Ranked in Doyles Guide as a Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Senior Counsel - NSW, since 2021
Ranked in Doyles Guide as a Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Junior Counsel - NSW, 2016, 2019 and 2020
Received a Spotlight in the Chambers and Partners, Media & Defamation: The Bar | Asia-Pacific 2026
Recognised in Best Lawyers 2027 Release for Litigation
November 22, 2023
Barry specialises in regulatory, reputational (including defamation and privacy) and media law and has appeared as junior counsel in some of Australia’s highest profile defamation proceedings. He routinely advises individual and corporate clients throughout Australia (both potential plaintiffs and defendants).
His practice at the Bar also encompasses commercial and other civil disputes, administrative and disciplinary hearings, and white-collar criminal defence and prosecution. Barry has particular expertise in civil disputes involving criminal allegations. He has appeared in white-collar criminal proceedings for accused, offenders and appellants, both individual and corporate, and as crown prosecutor including on a multi-week jury trial.
In addition to frequent appearances in Courts throughout Australia, High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Courts, Local Courts, District Court and NCAT, Barry has appeared at ICAC multiple times; appeared at the Football NSW tribunal; served as tribunal member for Basketball NSW and served as member on the Occupational Therapy Council of NSW.
Before coming to the Bar, Barry practised as a solicitor for eight years, first at Mallesons and then at ASIC, across a range of commercial, regulatory and litigious matters.
Administrative Law
Banking, Securities and Insolvency
Competition and Consumer
Corporate and Commercial
Media, Defamation and Privacy
Regulatory and Criminal Law
Equity and Trusts
Media & Defamation
Turner v Nampijinpa Price (FCA, Wheelahan J, reserved October 2025) Defamation claim in respect of Senator Nampijinpa Price’s media release. Appeared with P Gray SC for the respondent Senator Nampijinpa Price.
Ward v Radio 2SM (NSWDC, September 2025) Defamation claim against Radio 2SM by then politician over comment said by John Laws about then pending criminal charges against him. Proceedings dismissed by consent. Appeared unled for the defendant Radio 2SM.
Lehrmann v Network Ten [2025] FCAFC 173 ( Wigney, Colvin and Abraham JJ) Appeared with S Chrysanthou SC on the appeal for the second respondent Lisa Wilkinson.
Goo v Kim (DCNSW, Andronos DCJ, May-September 2025) Judgment for the first plaintiff in defamation against three defendants for different publications including both online and flyers with damages across the matters totalling $388,000. Appeared unled for the first plaintiff.
McGarry v Mangano (WASC, Palmer J, reserved April 2025) Defamation claim in respect of statements a councillor made in council meetings. Appeared with S Chrysanthou SC for the defendant former Councillor Mangano.
Harris v Moorhead (FCA, Owens J, April 2025) Defamation claim in respect of YouTube video. Judgment for the applicant by consent with apology and matter otherwise settled on confidential terms. Appeared unled for applicant.
Pendali v Nationwide News and ORS (FCA, Perram J, March 2025) Defamation claim in respect of a series of print and online newspaper articles, podcasts and videos. Proceedings discontinued with orders noting a clarification from the publishers about why they were removing the matters and that the matter otherwise settled on confidential terms. Appeared led by S Chrysanthou SC for the applicant.
Deeming v Pesutto (No 3) [2024] FCA 1430 – claim in defamation by Victoria MP against the leader of her party in respect of five publications – appeared led by S Chrysanthou SC for the applicant, Ms Moira Deeming MLC.
Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited (Trial Judgment) [2024] FCA 369 (Lee J) – claim in defamation for interview broadcast on The Project – appeared led by S Chrysanthou SC for the second respondent publisher, Ms Lisa Wilkinson.
Peros v Nationwide News and ORS (WASC, Tottle J, March 2023) Defamation claim in respect of podcast where third defendant Harvey Norman was a sponsor of the podcast. Proceedings against the third defendant dismissed by consent. Appeared unled for the third defendant Harvey Norman.
Kumova v Davison (No 2) [2023] FCA 1 (Lee J) – claims in defamation about posts on the Twitter social media platform – appeared led by S Chrysanthou SC for the applicant Mr Tolga Kumova.
Palmer v McGowan (No 5) (2022) 404 ALR 621 [2022] FCA 893 (Lee J) – claims and cross-claims in defamation over public statements made by each party – appeared led by P Gray SC for Mr Clive Palmer.
Bazzi v Dutton (2022) 289 FCR 1; [2022] FCAFC 84 (Rares, Rangiah and Wigney JJ) – appeal against judgment in defamation in respect of publication on Twitter – appeared led by P Gray SC for the appellant publisher Shane Bazzi.
Herron v HarperCollins Publishers Australia Pty Ltd (2022) 292 FCR 336; [2022] FCAFC 68; (2022) 292 FCR 490; [2022] FCAFC 119 (Rares, Wigney and Lee JJ) – appeal against judgment dismissing claims in defamation in relation to book – appeared led by BW Walker SC and S Chrysanthou SC for appellants Mr John Herron and Dr John Gill.
Porter v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2021] FCA 863 (with B Walker SC); [2021] FCA 1036 (unled) Hearings to implement and enforce confidentiality related to the settlement of a defamation claim by the former Attorney General. Appeared first with B Walker SC and then unled for the applicant Christian Porter.
Barilaro v Shanks-Markovia (No 2) (2021) 287 FCR 597; [2021] FCA 950 (Rares J) – interlocutory application to stay or dismiss proceedings in defamation in relation to Youtube stream because of parliamentary privilege – appeared led by S Chrysanthou SC for the applicant Mr John Barilaro who was the respondent on the interlocutory application.
Kumova v Davison [2021] FCA 753 (Flick J) – interlocutory claim for journalist privilege by publisher in defamation claim over his source for posts on the Twitter social media platform – appeared led by S Chrysanthou SC for the applicant Mr Tolga Kumova who was the respondent on the interlocutory claim for privilege.
Stead v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd (2021) 387 ALR 123; [2021] FCA 15 (Lee J) – claims in defamation by a venture capitalist against Australian Financial Review and columnist –– appeared led by S Chrysanthou SC for the applicant Dr Elaine Stead in the proceedings.
Bailey v WIN Television NSW Pty Ltd (2020) 104 NSWLR 541; [2020] NSWCA 352 (Meagher and White JJA, Simpson AJA) – appeal against judgment dismissing claim in defamation in respect of news broadcast – appeared led by S Chrysanthou for the respondent publisher WIN Television.
Other Matters
Houston v Sheils [2026] NSWSC 93 (Dhanji J) – application to set aside notice to produce for inspection in proceedings claiming millions of dollars for damaged or lost property. Appeared unled for the defendants and applicants on the motion.
ICAC (May 2025) – appeared for witness in private examination.
Special Commission of Inquiry in the Offending by Wayne Astill (McClellan AM KC, November 2023 to January 2024) – appeared for a regional director of Corrective Services NSW.
R v Weiss (NSWLC, Fitzsimmons LCM, Nov 2022) – appeared on sentence for company director charged with falsification of books under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), suspended sentence delivered. Led by P Strickland SC.
R v Chand (NSWDC, March 2022) – appeared unled for law clerk charged with mortgage fraud. The prosecution was no billed by the DPP and the charges dismissed based on representations from Mr Dean.
ICAC Operation Aero (September 2020) – appeared for witness in public hearing.
De Belin v Australian Rugby League Commission Ltd [2019] FCA 688 (Perry J) – application seeking relief for misleading or deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct, tortious inference in contractual relations, and restraint of trade in respect of conduct implementing a no-fault rule banning rugby league player from playing in the NRL competition – appeared led by M Einfeld QC on trial for the applicant Jack De Belin.
CMB v AG (NSW) (2015) 256 CLR 346; [2015] HCA 9 (French CJ, Kiefel, Bell, Gageler, and Keane JJ) – offender appeal against successful Crown sentence appeal. Appeared led by C Loukas SC (later Loukas-Karlsson J, ACT Supreme Court) and GA Bashir SC for appellant CMB.
Full Court upholds judgment in favour of Lisa Wilkinson
Chrysanthou and Dean win for Victorian MP
Chrysanthou and Dean defend Lisa Wilkinson
Publisher apologises to defamed Doctor as part of confidential settlement
Andrew Laming defamation case settles with apology from Nine
Full Court allows appeal – overturns judgment that Commonwealth Minister defamed in tweet
Full Court allows appeal – overturns judgment dismissing Doctors’ claim that Book was defamatory
High Court finalises Senator Hanson-Young’s defamation victory
Section 30 defence for WIN Television upheld in High Court
Judgment for Venture Capitalist defamed in the Australian Financial Review
Archbishop wins in the Court of Appeal
Federal Court judgment: Hanson-Young v Leyonhjelm [2019] FCA 156
Federal Court judgment: Hanson-Young v Leyonhjelm [2018] FCA 1688
Court of Appeal – Victory: 20 August 2018 Collier v Country Women’s Association of NSW [2018] NSWCA 184
153 Phillip defend the CWA
Barrister NSW 2012
Attorney NY USA 2005
Solicitor VIC 2005
Solicitor NSW 2003
Ranked in Doyles Guide Leading Defamation Law Barristers – Australia, 2026.
Ranked in Doyles Guide Leading White Collar Criminal Law & Regulatory Investigations - Australia, 2024 and 2025
LLM University of Sydney 2011
LLB (Hons) University of Sydney2003
BOptom (Hons) University of New South Wales 1999
dean@153phillip.com.au
+61 29132 5720
November 22, 2023
Tertiary Education
BCom(Accounting)/LLB (UNSW)
Admitted to the Legal Profession
2010
Administrative Law
Building & Construction
Commercial Law
Defamation Law
Equity and trusts
Family Law
Family Provisions & Probate
Real Property
Credit and Investments Ombudsman:2010 – 2012
Energy and Water Ombudsman:2012 – 2014
Birchgrove Legal:2014 – 2018Alsuleiman v Nationwide News Pty Ltd & Anor
Acting for the applicant, a leading Australian imam, in Defamation proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against the publishers of the Daily Telegraph and Courier Mail. The case raises a number of important issues, including in relation to the defence of truth at common law and its differentiation from the truth defence pursuant to the s25 Defamation Act.
CYD v Secretary of the Department of Education NSW
Acted for the applicant in a successful administrative appeal in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal concerning a decision of the Secretary of the Department of Education to cancel the applicant’s family day care provider approval pursuant to s33(1)(a) Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (NSW).
Etihaf & Etihaf
Acted for the Applicant in Family Court of Australia proceedings concerning property and children, with a range of issues including Airport Watchlist Orders following threats of removing the children from the jurisdiction of Australia, family violence, drug use, and the enforcement of orders for sale of the matrimonial property in circumstances where a child resided at the property.
Carr v Chan
Acted for the defendant in Family Provisions proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW.
Mohammed v Nationwide News Pty Ltd
Acted for the applicant mufti in defamation proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW against the publisher of the Daily Telegraph. The case raised some interesting questions, including the approach to be adopted in considering a strike out application regarding particulars in support of a justification defence.
Sunrising Family Day Care Pty Ltd v The Department of Education & Training
Acted for the Applicant (the provider of a family day care service) in an administrative appeal of a decision by the Secretary of the Department to cancel the applicant’s Commonwealth approval to receive Child Care Benefit payments pursuant to A New Tax System (Family Assistance) (Administration) Act 1999.
Uzunlar & Uzunlar
Acted for the Applicant in the Family Court of Australia for urgent ex parte orders, including Airport Watchlist orders, and in subsequent related proceedings concerning property and children.
Warringah Timbers Pty Ltd v Mackenzie
Acted for the Defendant supplier in commercial proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW concerning alleged non-payment of ongoing trade debts, and further alleged Corporations Act civil penalty provisions, including under s182.elachkar@153phillip.com.au
+61 2 9132 5700
November 22, 2023
Richard was admitted as a solicitor in NSW in 1991 (having practised commercial litigation in London as a UK solicitor for 8 years) and spent 14 years with DLA Phillips Fox (now DLA Piper), heading the insurance litigation Team in Sydney between 2000-2005, practising in professional indemnity, insurance disputes and media law.
Richard was called to the NSW Bar in 2005 and is well regarded for his advocacy and advice work in all aspects of commercial litigation, equity, insurance disputes and media law (including advising and appearing for media publishers on issues of defamation, contempt, suppression and copyright).
Richard was appointed Senior Counsel in 2020.
Richard is an AMDRAS accredited mediator (2022). He brings over three decades of commercial and insurance litigation experience to his mediation practice, providing parties with insight informed by extensive courtroom and advisory work.
Richard mediates commercial disputes, insurance matters, and defamation cases. His litigation background enables him to assess risk and identify practical solutions, while his collaborative approach helps parties reach sustainable resolutions.
Richard lectures part-time in the LLM program at the University of New South Wales, contributing to the education of the next generation of commercial lawyers.
Defamation and Media
Insurance
Professional Liability
Commercial
Corporations
Equity and Trusts
Channel Seven v Manock (2007) 232 CLR 245
LVMH Watch & Jewellery Australia Pty Ltd v Lassanah & Ors [2011] NSWCA 370
Papaconstuntinas v Holmes a Court [2012] 249 CLR 534
Bleyer v Google [2014] 88 NSWLR 670
Kidu v Fifer [2016] NSWSC 982
Accommodation West Pty Ltd v Aikman [2017] WASC 157
Murray v Raynor [2019] NSWCA 274
Stoltenberg v Bolton; Loder v Bolton [2020] NSWCA 45
JWR Productions Australia Pty Ltd v Duncan-Watt (No 2) [2020] FCA 236
Gough v Squillacioti [2021] NSWDC 411
Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd v Voller [2021] HCA 27
Dutton v Bazzi [2021] FCA 1474
Sydney Cosmetic Clinic v Hu [2022] NSWCA 1
Peros v Nationwide News [2024] QSC 80
Solicitor (UK) 1983
Solicitor (NSW) 1991
Barrister (NSW) 2005
Senior Counsel (NSW) 2020
potter@153phillip.com.au
+61 29 132 5721
November 22, 2023
E | smark@smark.com.au
P | 02 9132 5713Kieran Smark SC was admitted to the Bar in 1991 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2007.
He is a leading defamation barrister but also practices in commercial, property and administrative law matters. He often speaks on matters involving defamation and court procedure and is the author of Freedom of Information and Privacy in Australia (3rd ed, 2025, Lexis Nexis). He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in various matters including Leyonhjelm v Hanson-Young, Greenwich v Latham and Faruqi v Hanson.
Download CV here.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Appellate
Class Actions & Representative Proceedings
Commercial Litigation
Commissions and Inquiries
Confidential Information
Corporate
Defamation
Equity
Intellectual Property
Media Law
Privacy Law
Professional Conduct
Property Law/Commercial/Retail & Real Property
Regulatory
Suppression and non-publication orders
Trusts
Wills & Estates; Family Provision Act; Probate
Freedom of Information and Privacy in Australia, 3rd edition
Senior Counsel – 2007
Barrister – 1991
LLB (Hons) University of Sydney
Ranked in Doyles Guide as a Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Senior Counsel – Australia, 2024
Ranked in Doyles Guide as a Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Senior Counsel - NSW, since 2018
Recognised in Best Lawyers for Defamation and Media Law since 2021
November 22, 2023
Matthew’s primary area of expertise is in privacy and media and defamation law. He has extensive trial experience and is retained for urgent applications involving injunctive relief and suppression orders. He appears for defamation plaintiffs and defendants and gives pre-publication advice.
Since 2022 Matthew has been the Co-Chair of the NSW Bar Association Media and Information Law and Technology which amongst other masters assists the NSW Bar in advising on law reform in the defamation, privacy and AI spaces.Matthew has been appeared in actions involving both mass media and social media.Recent matters for plaintiffs include:
Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Ltd (Trial Judgment) [2024] FCA 369
Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 41) [2023] FCA 555
Chau v Fairfax Media Publications[2019] FCA 185, Australian Broadcasting Corporation v Chau Chak Wing [2019] FCAFC 125
Chris Gayle v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd[2017] NSWSC 1261, Fairfax Media Publications v Gayle [2019] NSWCA 172
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited (No 2) [2019] FCA 1626
McLachlan v Browne (No 8)[2018] NSWSC 1968, McLachlan v Browne (No 7) [2018] NSWSC 1914
Bolton v Stoltenberg[2018] NSWSC 1518
Matthew has also appeared in the Supreme and District Courts of NSW and Federal Court of Australia for media defendants including Channel Nine, Channel Seven, Google and Harbour Radio. Recent matters include:
Greiss v Seven Network (Operations) Ltd (No 2) [2024] FCA 98
Molan v Dailymail.com Australia Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 1004; Dailymail.com Australia Pty Ltd v Molan [2023] FCAFC 26
Nassif v Seven Network (Operations) Ltd [2021] FCA 1286
TCN Channel Nine v Pahuja[2019] NSWCA 166
KT v Google LLC[2019] NSWSC 1015
Mohareb v Harbour Radio Pty Limited; Mohareb v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited; Mohareb v State of NSW[2019] NSWSC 270
Noble v Phillips (No 3) [2019] NSWSC 110
Parizian v Seven Network Limited [2018] NSWDC 296
The New Privacy Tort's Contentious Exemption: The 'Character of News' (June 2025) Law Society Journal
What is a Serious Invasion of Privacy? UK Case Law Has the Answers (April 2025) Law Society Journal
Melania Trump, Her Husband and US Defamation Law (June 2017), Communications Law Bulletin
A Shot in the Arm for the Defence of Contextual Truth as Attention Turns to Particulars of Justification, (February 2017), Seminar given at UNSW
The Defence of Contextual Truth and Hore Lacy: Struggling but Still Standing (March 2015)
Ranked in Doyles Guide Leading Defamation Law Barristers – Australia, 2026.
Ranked in Doyles Guide as a Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Senior Counsel - NSW, 2026
richardson@153phillip.com.au
+61 2 9132 5716