Practice Profile
Tony Neal KC has a diverse civil practice with a well-earned reputation for meticulous preparation and for his in-court skills, particularly as a cross-examiner.
Whilst his practice spans most aspects of contract, tort and property-based disputes, as well as administrative law, Tony also has recognized expertise in the areas of building and construction and in native title [Tony is listed as a “Recommended” senior counsel in Doyle’s 2015 National Guide to the Australian Legal Profession]. A sample of Tony’s construction and native title cases is listed below.
In keeping with the diversity of his practice Tony recently appeared for the mine owners before the Board of Inquiry into the Hazelwood Mine and for the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in the Court of Appeal in an action to dismiss the Committee of Management of the Framlingham Aboriginal Trust. He also advised the Noongar people in their recent, historic settlement agreement with the W.A. Government.
The Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department has engaged Tony to undertake a substantial consultancy relating to proposed changes to the Attorney's funding of respondents in native title matters.
Tony also acts as a mediator in civil matters. He is a nationally accredited mediator, Chairman of the Bar’s ADR Sub-Committee and an instructor in the Victorian Bar's well regarded Lawyers Mediation Certificate Course.
Tony's skills as a mediator were recognized by his appointment to the panel to whom the Federal Court refers mediation of native title matters. He has already overseen a number of successful mediations in this capacity including the De Rose Hill compensation claim, the first of its kind in Australia. Commercial Law
Construction Cases
Diamond Press v Vaughan - an arbitration in NSW concerning the engineering capacity of concrete slab floors in a printing warehouse complex.
ABB v Transfield - an arbitration concerning the electrical and mechanical subcontracts for the Melbourne CityLink Project.
Minson v Aquatec - a case concerning the engineering capacity of sewerage/water treatment works.
Abigroup v CGA - an arbitration concerning a large commercial development in Melbourne.
Abigroup v BPB - a case concerning the piling system to the extension of Melbourne's South Eastern Freeway.
Benchmark v Hallmark - an expert determination concerning the construction a private hospital at Frankston.
Public Law
Native Title Cases
Weribone on behalf of the Mandandanji People v State of Queensland [2013] FCA 255 Weribone on behalf of the Mandandanji People v State of Queensland (No 2) [2013] FCA 485 Lovett on behalf of the Gunditjmara People v State of Victoria (No 5) [2011] FCA 932
Mullett on behalf of the Gunai/Kurnai People v State of Victoria [2010] FCA 1144
Lovett on behalf of the Gunditjmara People v State of Victoria [2007] FCA 474
Clarke on behalf of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples v Victoria [2005] FCA 1795
Members of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Community v Victoria [2002] HCA 58; 214 CLR 422; 194 ALR 538; 77 ALJR 356
Members of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Community v Victoria & Ors [1998] FCA; [2001] FCA 45
Click here to download my List G Barristers CV.