About Suzanne

Suzanne practises exclusively in commercial litigation. She specialises in property related disputes for both corporate and government clients. She has worked on a variety of disputes including contract, corporations, competition and consumer, property, superannuation and negligence and insurance related litigation.

Suzanne has a focus on dispute resolution and achieving the best commercial outcomes for her clients. She is an experienced negotiator who regularly appears at mediations and negotiates settlements on behalf of her clients. Her litigation skills are enhanced by her attention to detail and strategic thinking. Suzanne frequently represents and advises government clients.

Experience

• City of Stonnington

  Acting for the City of Stonnington in the following proceedings:○ An application in the Supreme Court for modification or removal of a large number of restrictive covenants burdening council owned land to allow for the development of a multipurpose facility in Malvern East.○ obtained judgment in Anderson & Anor v City of Stonnington & Anor [2016] VSC 374 and obtained dismissal of an appeal to the Victorian Court of Appeal in Anderson & Anor v City of Stonnington & Anor [2017] VSCA 229. We successfully argued that a laneway in South Yarra is a public highway at common law, a public road pursuant to the Road Management Act and a road pursuant to the Local Government Act. The judgments provide a valuable precedent to local government and developers as to the law on roads in Victoria. In the same proceedings we achieved an indemnity costs order for Council based on an offer drafted by Suzanne and made prior to trial in Anderson & Anor v City of Stonnington & Anor (No.2) [2016] VSC 575.

• Fed Square Pty Ltd

  Acting for Fed Square Pty Ltd in relation to claims by tenants for alleged loss caused by business disruption. Suzanne has represented and advised on a number of mediations in relation to the claims.

• Melbourne City Council

  Acting for the Melbourne City Council and successfully obtaining the dismissal of a VCAT application to set aside consent orders in Big Apple Group Pty Ltd v Melbourne City Council (Building and Property) [2018] VCAT 1323 and a costs order in Council’s favour in Big Apple Group Pty Ltd v Melbourne City Council (No 2) (Building and Property) [2018] VCAT 1881. Suzanne continues to act in an appeal of the VCAT decision to the Supreme Court and had the proceeding stayed until the appellant appointed lawyers.

• Bass Coast Council

  Acting for Bass Coast Council and successfully obtaining declarations from the Supreme Court as to the status of a road in Council’s municipality in Bass Coast Council v Hollole [2017] VSC 803

• Meteorite Property

  Obtaining judgment for a landlord client, Meteorite Property in Meteorite Property (Bourke Street) Pty Ltd v New Concept Investment Pty Ltd & Ors [2017] VCC 119 which involved a claim against a tenant and guarantors for unpaid outgoing adjustments. The Judge agreed with our interpretation of relevant clauses of the lease and a deed of assignment.