Rachel Doyle SC is a leading trial and appellate advocate. Rachel is a specialist in Class Actions, Industrial, Employment and Discrimination Law and Public Law. She has significant experience in common law proceedings involving novel torts, and in Royal Commissions and inquests.
Rachel came to the Bar in 1996 and was appointed senior counsel in 2009. Before joining the Bar, she was associate to Sir Daryl Dawson of the High Court between July 1994 and February 1996.
Committee memberships
Law Council of Australia - Federal Litigation and Dispute Resolution Section - Industrial Law Committee 2013 to present
Notable Appearances
Class Actions / Commercial
- 5 Boroughs NY Pty Ltd v Victoria (the Covid lockdown class actions) [2021] VSC 785; senior counsel for the defendants
- Crown Resorts v Zantran [2020] FCAFC 1; [2019] FCA 641 senior counsel for the shareholders
- Gall v Domino's [2019] FCA 1799 senior counsel for the applicants
- Roo-Roofing v Commonwealth [2019] VSC 331 senior counsel for the Commonwealth
- McKay Super Solutions v Bellamys [2019] FCA 125 senior counsel for the shareholders
- Clime Capital v UGL [2020] FCA 66 senior counsel for the shareholders
- Centro Shareholders Class Action [2012] FCA 468, junior counsel for the shareholders
- Esso Class Action (Johnson Tiles v Esso Australia Pty Ltd [2003] VSC 27, junior counsel for the plaintiffs
- Oswal v ANZ 2016 (Victorian Supreme Court, commercial trial) senior counsel for defendant, Chemical Holdings
- A v Peters 2014 (Victorian Supreme Court, Hepatitis C class action) senior counsel for Victoria
Employment and Industrial Law
- Wong v National Australia Bank (2022) Federal Court appeal (senior counsel for the NAB)
- Pentridge Village v CFMMEU [2021] VSC 848 (senior counsel for the union)
- Pattinson & CFMMEU v ABCC (2020) 282 FCR 580 (senior counsel for the union)
- Bashour v ANZ (current discrimination claim, VCAT) senior counsel for ANZ
- Registered Organisations Commission v Melhem & AWU [2020] FCA 1148 senior counsel for Melhem
- ABCC v CFMEU (2018) 262 CLR 157 (the personal payment orders case) senior counsel for the CFMEU
- Newton v Australia Post and Fahour [2018] FCA 2007 senior counsel for Australia Post and Fahour
- ABCC v Powell [2017] FCAFC 89 (right of entry case) senior counsel for the CFMEU
- ABCC v CFMEU [2018] FCAFC 88 (the Laverton North case) senior counsel for the CFMEU
- ACCC v CFMEU [2017] FCA 1191 (the Boral "black ban" case) senior counsel for the CFMEU
- Winters v Fogarty [2017] FCA 51 senior counsel for respondent
- Swindells v State of Victoria [2016] VSCA 9 senior counsel for Victoria
- United Voice v Ambulance Victoria 2016 (Paramedics’ Wages Claim, FWC) senior counsel for Victoria
- AEU v State of Victoria [2015] FCA 1196 senior counsel for Victoria
- Boral v CFMEU 2015 (Victorian Supreme Court, industrial tort case) senior counsel for the CFMEU
- Director v CFMEU (“the Myer Blockade Case”) [2015] FCA 225 senior counsel for the CFMEU
- State of Victoria (Office of Public Prosecutions) v Grant [2014] FCAFC 184 senior counsel for the OPP
- CFMEU v Boral Resources [2014] VSCA 348 senior counsel for CFMEU
- State of Victoria v CFMEU [2013] FCAFC 160 senior counsel for CFMEU
- CFMEU v Victoria [2013] FCA senior counsel for CFMEU
- The Equal Remuneration Case [2011] Full Bench FWA 2700 senior counsel for Victoria, intervening
- Quinn v Overland (2010) 199 IR 40 senior counsel for the applicant
- O’Shea v Heinemann (2008) 172 FCR 475 counsel for the regulator
- Family Provisions Test Case [2005] AIRC 692 counsel for each State government in Australia, intervening
- Minister v Gribbles (2005) 222 CLR 194 junior counsel for the Commonwealth
- AiG v AFMEPKIU (the Emwest Case) (2003) 125 IR 449 junior counsel for the union
- Working Hours Test Case [2002] AIRC 857 counsel for each State government in Australia, intervening
- Greater Dandenong City Council v ASU (2001) 112 FCR 232 junior counsel for the union
- Riverwood v McCormick (2000) 177 ALR 193 counsel for the applicant
Royal Commissions and Inquiries
- Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry 2014 - 2015 (Teague Commission of Inquiry: mine fire) senior counsel for Engie
- Trade Union Royal Commission 2014 (Heydon Royal Commission) senior counsel for the Electrical Trades Union
- Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission 2009 – 2010 junior counsel assisting
- Esso / Longford Royal Commission 1998 junior counsel for Trades Hall
Common Law
- Pentridge Village v CFMMEU (Supreme Court current economic tort case) senior counsel for the union
- Smith v Victoria [2018] VSC 475 (novel tort case re domestic violence victims) senior counsel for the plaintiff
- Roo-Roofing v Commonwealth [2019] VSC 331 senior counsel for the Commonwealth
- Hodson v Victoria (Supreme Court, novel tort case) senior counsel for Victoria
- Dale v State of Victoria 2015 (Supreme Court, negligence claim), senior counsel for Victoria
- Boral v CFMEU 2015 (Supreme Court, industrial tort case) senior counsel for the CFMEU
- Bau v Victoria Police [2009] VSCA 107 (employee tort claim) junior counsel for Victoria Police
- Premier v Spotless [2007] VSC 377 (professional negligence) junior counsel for the environmental consultants
- Crimmins v Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee (1999) 200 CLR 1 junior counsel for the applicant
Constitutional and Administrative Law
- Masson v Parsons (2019) 266 CLR 554 senior counsel for Victoria, intervening
- Momcilovic v The Queen (2011) 245 CLR 1 junior to the Commonwealth Solicitor General
- Magill v Magill (2006) 81 ALJR 254 junior to the Commonwealth Solicitor General
- Vanstone v Clark [2005] FCAFC 189 junior counsel for Clark
- Ng & Fittock v R (2003) 77 ALJR 967 junior counsel for the Victorian Attorney General, intervening
- Ng v R (2002) 5 VR 257 counsel for the Victorian Attorney General, intervening
Equal Opportunity and Human Rights
- R v Chaouk [2013] VSCA 99 counsel for the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission intervening
- Momcilovic v The Queen (2011) 245 CLR 1 junior to the Commonwealth Solicitor General
- Kiefel v State of Victoria [2013] FCA 1398 senior counsel for Victoria
- Benic v State of Victoria [2011] FCA 1263 senior counsel for Victoria
- Turner v State of Victoria [2009] VSC 66 junior counsel for Victoria
- Schou v State of Victoria [2004] VSCA 71 junior counsel for the plaintff
Inquests / Criminal matters
- Director Public Prosecutions (Cth) v CFMMEU and O'Mara (criminal cartel committal proceeding ACT, senior counsel for the union)
- Tomlin (Worksafe) v Engie committal (VWA prosecution re mine fire) senior counsel for the mine owners
- EPA v Engie committal (EPA prosecution re mine fire) senior counsel for the mine owners
- Inquest into the death of Luke Batty 2014 – 2015 senior counsel for Ms Rosie Batty
- Inquest into the death of Terrence and Christine Hodson 2014 senior counsel for Chief Commissioner of Police
- Inquest into the death of Heri 2006 junior counsel for Australian Fisheries Management Authority
- Inquest into the death of Tanginoa 2003 junior counsel for the Commonwealth
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