Phillip welcomes briefs (both electronic and hardcopy paper briefs) in common law and statutory personal injury claims and Inquiries. He has particular experience in personal injury claims of all types (worker's compensation, TAC, public liability, Comcare, dust diseases, medical negligence and health law), and he has an interest in commercial law, Royal Commission and Inquiries law, and technology / artificial intelligence laws.
Phillip regularly appears as counsel (Barrister) in a variety of types of matters in the Magistrates', County, and Supreme Courts of Victoria, and he also appears in VCAT and at the AAT. Phillip appears both on his own and whilst being led by more experienced counsel. In chambers, Phillip also drafts affidavits, all necessary pleadings and submissions for the Courts and the Medical Panels. Phillip has rights of appearance in State and Federal Jurisdictions.
Before being called to the junior Bar, Phillip worked in mid to large tier Australian law firms servicing both plaintiff and defendant clients. Most recently, Phillip worked in a defendant firm as part of the WorkCover and Commonwealth teams. He defended worker’s compensation claims under the Accident Compensation Act (now WIRC Act), handled claims against Comcare and claims made under the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Torts legislation.
Prior to this, his experience was as a senior lawyer with two plaintiffs 'No win, No fee' law firms where he had the conduct of numerous WorkCover, medical negligence, public liability and TAC matters.
Before coming to Australia, Phillip was a sole legal practitioner in South Africa where he ran a law practice that focused on personal injury, corporate work in regards to small to medium commercial enterprises, family law and crime. The broad experience of running such a practice empowers Phillip to accept briefs across these wide areas of interest.
Phillip completed his Bachelor Procurationis and postgraduate Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Kwa Zulu-Natal, in South Africa. He was awarded Certificates of Merit in Partnership and Company Law and Specific Contracts by the Dean of Law. Phillip has certificates in Legal Practice from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and College of Law in Melbourne. Phillip completed his Master of Laws degree at Melbourne University (2021).
Phillip read with His Honour Judge Robert Dyer before His Honour was called to the County Court bench, and his senior mentor was Mr Philip Jewell S.C.
Outside the law, Phillip is a certified sailor, coffee maker, and scuba diver. He enjoys road running year round and skiing or snowboarding during winter.