Division of Bar Roll:
Victorian Practising Counsel
Profile:
Justin signed the Victorian Bar Roll in 2000. He has a broad practice with a specialty in media, intellectual property, common law and commercial disputes. His recent noteable matters include:
- Google LLC v Defteros (2022) 403 ALR 434; [2022] HCA 27 (defamation). Justin appeared for the respondent in the High Court and in the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal [2021] VSCA 167.
- Halal Certification Authority Pty Ltd v Flujo Sanguineo Holdings Pty Ltd [2023] FCAFC 175; [2021] FCA 1399 (trademarks). Justin apeared alone for the respondents at trial (who were successful) and again before the Full Federal Court who dismissed the appeal.
- Agustin-Bunch v Smith [2023] VSC 277; [2022] VSC 290 (defamation on Youtube videos that have been watched more than 30 million times). Justin appeared for the plaintiffs with Ms Evelyn Tadros.
- Zuchowski v Howe [2022] VCC 1604 (defamation on Facebook). Justin appeared for the plaintiff, who was awarded $205,000 damages. He also appeared for the plaintiff in the appeal in February 2024. Judgment is reserved.
- Mulhollands v Langdon [2022] VCC 1848 (defamation during Council election). Justin appeared for the plaintiffs, who were awarded $80,000 damages after the jury trial.
- Courtney v Maguire [2022] VCC 2280 (defamation on Facebook): Justin appeared for the plaintiff, who was awarded $125,000 damages after the jury trial.
- Telstra Corporation Ltd v Gramac Excavations Pty Ltd [2022] VCC 944: Justin appeared for the insured defendant at trial.
- Selkirk v Hocking [2023] FCA 1085: Justin appeared for the respondents at the preliminary hearing as to serious harm. The claim was dismissed. Justin also appeared for the respondents at the appeal before the Full Federal Court. Judgment is presently reserved.
- Khan v Google LLC [2023] FCA 785: Justin appeared for the applicant and obtained preliminary discovery from Google of the subscription information for an anonymous Gmail account;
- Food and Wine Travel Pty Ltd v Express Travel Group Pty Ltd [2021] VSCA 280 (defamation on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube). Justin appeared for the respondent in the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal.
- Tawhidi v Awad [2022] VSC 669 (defamation on Twitter and Facebook). Justin appeared for the plaintiff at trial.
- Wellington v Metcalf [2022] VCC 1759 (defamation on Facebook). Justin appeared with Ms Holly Jager for the defendant at trial.
- Dean v Puleio [2021] VCC 848 (defamation by Google review). Justin appeared for the plaintiff, who was awarded $170,000 damages;
- Powercor Australia Ltd v Maximum Concrete Pumping Pty Ltd [2019] VCC 63. Justin appeared for the plaintiff which was successful in obtaining an order for damages;
- Justin appeared for the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts in the Geoffrey Rush defamation trial;
- Justin appeared for the nine plaintiffs at trial in the Victorian Supreme Court in Moroney v Zegers, who cumulatively won $810,000, the second highest damages award for defamation in Victorian history.
Justin is presently the Deputy Chair of the Media Law Section of the Commercial Bar of Victoria.
To view a detailed curriculum vitae please click here.
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