Briefed: Commercial Law Updates

In this episode, David Chesterman KC and Oliver Cook of Level Twenty Seven Chambers discuss Extending liability beyond the primary wrongdoer: accessorial and vicarious liability . They explore how liability can extend beyond direct wrongdoers, the limits of vicarious liability under recent High Court authority, and the broader equitable doctrines of knowing receipt and knowing assistance. The disc...

Preparing for Trial is the first instalment of the three-part Queensland Young Lawyers x Level Twenty Seven Chambers 2026 seminar series, which follows the lifecycle of a trial. Participants are welcome to join the full series or attend individual sessions. What will the seminar cover? Oliver Cook and Dayle Buckley (Level Twenty Seven Chambers) will present with the Queensland Young Lawyers on the...

Join four members of the AACL Queensland Chapter Committee as they break down some of the most significant and engaging Constitutional Law decisions of 2025. Chaired by Sarah Spottiswood (Barrister, Level Twenty Seven Chambers), this episode features insightful contributions from: Kent Blore, Crown Counsel, Crown Law Tim Gordon, Partner, Clayton Utz Felicity Nagorcka, Barrister, Higgins Chambers G...

Florence Chen and Oliver Cook  of Level Twenty Seven Chambers discuss the art of Evidence in Chief. They share practical insights for lawyers aiming to sharpen their trial advocacy and explore what aspiring barristers should know when considering a career at the Bar.  Did you miss previous seminars? Check out the seminar archive on Level Twenty Seven Chambers' website for the video recordings...

Whilst the introduction of expedited arbitration procedures by institutions aimed to reduce the delay and expense associated with arbitral proceedings, it is not always easy to strike the right balance between procedural efficiency and due process when applying these rules. The panel will discuss their experiences with expedited procedures, sharing insights on their practical use and effectiveness...

What will the seminar cover? Claire Schneider , Salwa Marsh and Emily O’Brien (Level Twenty Seven Chambers) will present with the Queensland Young Lawyers on the topic of Thriving at the Bar. This event will present the skills and mindset needed to thrive in advocacy, the pathways to joining the bar and insights into the day-to-day life of a barrister. Who should listen? Whether you’re considering...

Florence Chen and Oliver Cook (Level Twenty Seven Chambers) present to The Queensland Young Lawyers on the topic of Cross-Examination at Trial. This seminar breaks down the essential strategies, tips, and techniques to master this critical part for the Cross-Examination of witnesses. Whether you are a solicitor advocate or regularly brief counsel, this event is a great opportunity to gain insights...

Trustees’ Indemnities and Fiduciary Obligations , presented by Paul McQuade KC and Lauren Gamble .  The High Court of Australia appeal in Naaman v Jaken Properties Pty Ltd raises the question whether a successor trustee owes a ‘fiduciary obligation’ to a former trustee to preserve the former trustee’s right of indemnity. Following last years presentation “Succession of Trustees: am I still indemni...

In this session, Glenn Newton KC  discusses the uncertainties of all merit-based determinations of legal disputes. Why that is so. And what are the alternatives in the best interests of our clients.  Did you miss previous seminars? Check out the seminar archive on Level Twenty Seven Chambers' website for the video recordings and associated materials produced by the speakers. Want to join futu...

The International Law Association, Queensland Chapter welcomes DLA Piper, presenting at Level Twenty Seven Chambers. As the world inches closer to key climate deadlines of 2030 and 2050, countries likely to be severely impacted by the adverse effects of climate change have sought to clarify States’ obligations under international law in respect of climate change, using advisory opinion proceedings...

Briefed: Commercial Law Updates What will the seminar cover? A lawyer, a forensic accountant and counsel will examine, from the perspective of a claimant and affected third parties, the nature of relief that may be sought, including proprietary relief, the concepts of tracing, and management of claims for civil fraud or misappropriation. In particular: The nature of relief that may be claimed – mo...

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 d...

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 imp...

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 hav...

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...

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 shoul...

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 trial...

What does the seminar cover? According to Lord Reed, the issues on appeal in BTI 2014 LLC v Sequana SA [2022] UKSC 25 “go to the heart of our understanding of company law, and a considerable importance to the management of companies”. The decision concerns the fiduciary duty of directors to act in good faith in the interests of the company. You you will hear: - How the dispute arose - What the Cou...

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 question...

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 commencin...

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 comple...

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 barriste...

What does the seminar cover? Lawyers are in the business of producing persuasive writing, but they often neglect a key dimension: document design and typography. Legal documents are professionally published materials and their readers—clients, judges, or the public—expect them to be of the same standard as other professionally published materials. And while a well-designed document cannot rescue a...

What will the episode cover? Cryptocurrency is always in the headlines, and consumer use of it is becoming increasingly mainstream. But the law is yet to grapple extensively with cryptocurrency and the blockchain technology that underpins it. This seminar aims to provide a basic introduction to what cryptocurrencies are and how they work, and to tentatively explore some of the key legal issues tha...

What will the seminar cover? Queensland Young Lawyers (QYL) and Level Twenty Seven launched its second seminar series with ' Life at the Bar ' on Wednesday 4 May 1800 (AEST). Barristers Stewart Webster , Florence Chen (Level Twenty Seven Chambers) and Emma Fitzgerald (Jeddart Chambers) compared the different courses they took to be called to the Queensland Bar as well as provided some in...