November 21, 2023
Commercial/Equity law and Employment law.
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
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
With over 30 years of experience in corporate and commercial law, equity, trusts, and tax matters, Julian has broad expertise across various legal areas.
Julian consistently provides strategic advice and representation to both individual and corporate clients, handling a wide range of disputes at trial and appellate levels.
Julian has appeared in numerous courts, including the High Court of Australia, the Full Federal Court of Australia, the Federal Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, the New South Wales Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of New South Wales, and the District and Local Courts of New South Wales.
Julian also has successfully advocated for clients before the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Banking
Bankruptcy
Commercial
Corporate Insolvency
Equity
Intellectual Property
Insurance
Professional Negligence
Tax
svehla@153phillip.com.au
+61 29132 5712
November 22, 2023
E | higgins@153phillip.com.au
P | 02 9132 5723Rohan has a broad commercial litigation practice and regularly appears in all courts and various tribunals across Australia. Prior to coming to the Bar in 2007, Rohan was a solicitor at Clayton Utz, specialising in intellectual property litigation.
Rohan’s practice spans various areas of law, including contract law, where he appears in disputes involving breaches of contract, negligence, misleading conduct, and implied agreements. He also has significant experience in franchise law, regularly advising franchisors and franchisees on disputes related to franchise agreements, compliance with the Franchising Code of Conduct, and interpreting franchise contract terms.
In addition to contract law, Rohan's practice extends to estates and trusts, where he appears in matters involving unadministered estates, executor duties, maladministration, and trustee powers. He also regularly appears in insolvency matters, including disputes under the Corporations Act and Bankruptcy Act.
Rohan also advises and appears in property disputes, including issues concerning ownership, leases, and rights in real property transactions. He also has experience in alternative dispute resolution, particularly mediation, handling matters such as personal injury claims related to professional conduct.
Administrative
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Commercial
Communications/Media
Contracts
Equity and Trusts
Franchising
Insolvency
Intellectual Property
Migration
Professional Negligence
Real Property
Pesec v Zivko (No 4) [2024] ACTSC 361
Rohan appeared (led by M. Pesman SC) for the successful defendants in a complex costs dispute following an unsuccessful oppression claim. McCallum CJ made a comprehensive costs order, requiring the plaintiff to pay the defendants' costs, with specific provisions for shared representation from 11 August 2022, and rejected the defendants' application for a special costs order. View Case
Classics for a Cause Pty Ltd v Grays Ecommerce Group Ltd [2023] NSWSC 967
Rohan appeared unled for the successful first defendant in a dispute concerning an online auction of a classic car. The plaintiff sought substantial damages of $1.6M to $2.3M after a technological error caused the auction to close early. Rees J dismissed the summons and crossclaim, finding that the auctioneer acted reasonably and in accordance with the User Agreement. View Case
Colin CM Moore Pty Ltd v Sivathasan [2022] NSWSC 532
Rohan appeared for the successful defendant, led by John Gooley and instructed by Goldman Law. The case involved a Licensing Agreement granting the defendant a licence to use intellectual property related to surgical techniques for phalloplasty. The Court declared that the defendant had validly terminated the agreement, dismissing both the plaintiffs' statement of claim and the defendant's amended statement of crossclaim. View Case
Perry v Perry & Ors. [2021] NSWSC 1669
Rohan successfully represented the first defendant in this complex case concerning the administration of a 45-year-old intestate estate with a rural property as its primary asset. The Court ruled in favour of the first defendant, upholding the administrator’s decisions, including the use of estate funds for the maintenance and advancement of minor beneficiaries. Rohan was led by John Gooley. View Case
Traderight (NSW) Pty Ltd v Bank of Queensland Limited (No 17) [2014] NSWSC 55
Rohan, led by S. Couper KC with JV Gooley and GAF Connolly, successfully acted for the Bank of Queensland in a complex trade practices and employment dispute. The matter, which ran for over 100 days, involved numerous interlocutory applications. The Bank defeated claims from 11 franchisees seeking damages over branch closures, with Ball J dismissing all claims and entering judgment for the Bank on its counterclaims. View CaseNicholas Tyacke and Rohan Higgins, I Love the Smell of Copyright in the Morning: Intellectual Property Protection of Perfumes and Fragrances (2004) 17(6) IPLB 99
Nicholas Tyacke, Tara Walker and Rohan Higgins, Can Copyright Law be Used to Protect the ‘Look and Feel’ of a Website (2007) 10(2) INTLB 14
Bachelor of Arts (ANU) 1999
Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (ANU) 2001
Intellectual Property Society of Australia and New Zealand