Peter Fary practises in insolvency, commercial and family law litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He appears regularly in interlocutory hearings, trials and appeals in the Federal, Supreme, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and County courts.
Peter is a nationally accredited mediator and a Victorian Bar Advanced Mediator in the periods 22 March 2007 to 24 July 2022 and 3 March 2023 to date. He has conducted over 750 mediations. Peter was a coach/assessor for the Lawyers Mediation Certificate 2020 to 2024.
Prior to signing the Bar Roll, Peter was a Deputy District Registrar of the Federal Court of Australia and a Registrar of the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia (a precursor to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Div 2)).
Peter is also on the Consumer Action Law Centre pro bono advice panel.
Peter has had four former readers: Brenton Devanny, Jordan Schulz, Edwina Keynes and Rebecca McCarthy.
Peter is a member of Lonsdale Chambers.
Selected Cases
Recognition
Doyle's Guide - Leading Mediators - Victoria 2024
Doyle's Guide - Leading Insolvency & Restructuring Law Senior Counsel Rankings - Victoria, 2024
Doyles Guide - Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Senior Counsel – Victoria, 2024
Chambers and Partners - Asia-Pacific 2024: Restructuring/Insolvency: The Bar
Chambers & Partners - Global Guide 2024: Restructuring/Insolvency: The Bar
Best Lawyers in Australia - Insolvency & Reorganisation 2025
Best Lawyers in Australia - Alternative Dispute Resolution 2025
Past Recognition
Publications
Family Law and Bankruptcy (Lexisnexis) (author).
Bankruptcy Law and Practice (LexisNexis) (co-author).
Practice And Procedure High Court And Federal Court Of Australia (LexisNexis) chapter on Bankruptcy (former co-author).
Foley's List Family Law Book (chapter author) (upcoming).
Recent papers
The intersection between the PPSA and the Corporations Act - Leo Cussen 22 May 2019
Insolvency Risks and the New Ipso Facto Regime - Legalwise 15 March 2019
Recent Developments in Bankruptcy and Family Law - Foleys List 31 October 2018
Spousal Bankruptcy - Cents and Sensibility in Family Law - TEN 9 March 2017
Section 121: The Sleeping Giant - ARITA 6 March 2018
Family Law and Bankruptcy – the Perfect Storm - CPD in session
In the media
How the Rebels staved off Rugby Australia's liquidation push
Jackson's missing $1.9m for Health Services Union goes missing again
‘Failed so miserably’: Collapsed building company left with just $14,000 in the bank
'the scheme has failed': Court appoints provisional liquidators to Mayfair's IPO wealth
Bankrupt Geoff Clark did not list shares
George Alex ‘settles 6 million defamation claim in his favour but creditors won’t get a cent’
Walton investigation to extend into New Year
NAB to give evidence on role in lead up to Walton collapse
Edelsten goes bust for second time, owing up to $14.1m tax
Brian Fitzpatrick, former CFMEU official has been sworn and has adopted his witness statement.
