Division of Bar Roll:
Victorian Practising Counsel
Previous Occupation:
Senior Solicitor, Solicitor
Accepts briefs from in-house counselProfile:
Abilene practices in commercial and general civil litigation, with a particular focus on property law and a specialty in proceeds of crime (confiscation) matters (Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) and Confiscation Act 1997 (Vic)). Abilene also appears in criminal matters for defence and prosecution. Abilene has specialist knowledge in matters that traverse civil and criminal jurisdictions.
A selection of recent cases include:
- Re Monument; Monument v Monument [2022] VSC 205 - successful application for testator's family maintenance, trial (unled)
- Mai v Commissioner of the AFP [2021] HCATrans 220 – Costs argument (led by T Gyorffy QC)
- Commissioner of the AFP v Mai (Ruling No 1) [2021] VCC 2054 – Examination orders application under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) (led by T Gyorffy QC)
- Le & Anor v Spicer & Anor [2021] VCC 1858 – Summary judgment and stay of proceeding application (unled)
- MSA Renex Corp Pty Ltd v Create Environment [2021] VSCA 178 – Successful opposition of appeal against refusal to set aside statutory demand under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (led by C Northrop)
- CDPP v T Nguyen (Vina Money matter) - 3-day committal of alleged offences under the Competition & Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), cartel conduct provisions
- Saad v Commissioner of the AFP [2021] VSCA 246 – Appeal against refusal of revocation of restraining orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) (led by P Solomon QC & C Juebner)
- Saad v Commissioner of the AFP [No 2] [2021] VSCA 263 – Costs argument (led by P Solomon QC & C Juebner)
- Proudfoot v DPP [2020] VSCA 138 - Appeal against Confiscation Act (Vic) restraining order on Kable grounds (led by E Ruddle)
- Chen v DPP [2019] VCC 1545 – Confiscation Act trial (unled).
- DPP v Fatho & Ors – complex plea hearing involving multiple co-accused
- DPP v McCabe – criminal trial (led by Jim Shaw) – sentencing reasons published.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Abilene practised in commercial litigation for a number of years, and was then a Senior Solicitor at the OPP in its Proceeds of Crime Directorate.
Abilene read with Elizabeth Ruddle QC.
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have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information and neither accepts any responsibility in that regard.