About Mark

Mark practises primarily in administrative law, and was an accredited specialist in administrative law between 2013 and 2022. For over three decades, he has advised Government and various public authorities on the full range of administrative law issues. His experience and expertise extends to contracts (and procurement more generally), tortious liability (particularly in defamation and negligence), delegations, Victoria’s integrity framework, rating and local government elections.

He holds a First Class Honours degree from Monash University and a Bachelor of Civil Law from the University of Oxford.

Mark has lectured in Local Government Law and Current Issues In Torts in Monash University’s postgraduate program. He has twice served as the Firm’s Partnership Chairman.

Experience

• Advisory

  Advising on statutory interpretation (with particular reference to the Local Government Act 1989, Local Government Act 2020, Road Management Act 2004, Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012, and Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014), contract, tort, rating and local government elections.

• Litigation

  Acting for Parks Victoria in Federal and Victorian Supreme Court proceedings concerned with the presence of brumbies in national parks, representing the Presiding Officers of the Victorian Parliament in proceedings concerned with access to the Victorian Parliamentary Precinct and advising and representing various Victorian councils in judicial review proceedings in the Victorian County and Supreme Courts and High Court of Australia.

  His cases include:

  • Isbester v Knox City Council [2015] HCA 20;
  • Australian Brumby Alliance Inc v Parks Victoria [2020] FCA 605;
  • Maguire v Parks Victoria [2020] VSCA 172;
  • Bald Hills Wind Farm Pty Ltd v South Gippsland Shire Council [2020] VSC 512;
  • Howard Finance Pty Ltd v Yarra City Council [2020] VSC 610;
  • Yemini v Elasmar [2022] VSC 788;
  • Australian Brumby Alliance Inc v Parks Victoria [2023] VSC 26; and
  • Owners Corporation Plan No. RP015268 v Yarra City Council (Appeal) [2023] VSC 778.
• Transactional

  Drafting and advising on contracts for an array of public bodies, and advising on legal aspects of other commercial arrangements being entered into by such bodies.

• Drafting

  Drafting local laws and a range of other legislative instruments, as well as administrative instruments (such as instruments of delegation and authorisation).