Deborah practises in areas of law related to health issues in:
- medical negligence proceedings;
- mental health disputes at VCAT iunder the Mental Health Act 2014;
- Guardianship and Administration Act 1986 relating to disputes about substitute decision making in health, financial and lifestyle choices;
- production of medical/health records in criminal proceedings;;
- health professional disciplinary matters;
- FWA proceedings involving health and other staff in health services.
Deborah appears in inquests on behalf of hospitals, residential aged care services, involving complex medical, surgical and radiological issues and has represented families, hospitals and medical practitioners, including surgeons, obstetricians and psychiatrists.
She frequently appears in VCAT in disputes under the Mental Health Act 2014 and in particular in disputes concerning the compulsory administration of ECT. Most recently, she appeared on behalf of a mental health service in HKN v Mental Health Tribunal [2019] VCAT 825 (24 July 2019)
She also frequently appears in the Guardianship and Administration List on behalf of residential services, hospitals and families in dispute about the care of their elder relatives. She has appeared in disputes over capacity, managment of funds, compensation applications and diverse aspects of hte jurisdiction.
Formerly, she edited the Aged Care section of the Fitzroy Legal Services Law Handbook
Before coming to the Bar, Deborah practiced as in house counsel for a large metropolitan public health service for 6 years.
She was the legal member on the Dental Practice Board of Victoria from 2005 to 2009 and chaired formal hearings.