George Street Chambers

Introducing George Street Chambers’ member, Kate Boomer. Kate practices in the areas of commercial disputes and public law. She has particular expertise in the law of insurance contracts, directors’ and officers’ liability and professional negligence claims in the financial services, legal and construction industries. Kate brings a wealth of experience as a commercial litigator, having worked for 13 years at top tier and international firms. More information about Kate’s practice and her contact details are located at: https://lnkd.in/gHxGMUH7

George Street Chambers is a proud supporter of University of Queensland Law Society Inc. Recently, our member, Samantha Amos, had the honour of judging the UQLS Unjust Enrichment moot. The high caliber of the participants showcased the incredible talent of the next generation of aspiring legal professionals. George Street Chambers are also pleased to announce our participation in the 2024 University of Queensland Law Society’s Barristers Work Experience Program. This initiative provides current students with invaluable hands-on experience of the daily practice of our members at the commercial bar. We look forward to continuing our support for law students and fostering their growth in the legal profession.

Introducing George Street Chambers’ member, Stephanie Forward-Smith. With a broad commercial practice, Stephanie specialises in commercial litigation, insolvency, succession, commercial equity and trusts, and consumer law. Called to the bar in 2024, her extensive background as a commercial litigation solicitor for nine years provides her with a unique perspective and depth of experience in the field. Click here for more information about Stephanie: https://lnkd.in/gxbSaCwN

Meet George Street Chambers member Timothy Randall. Tim practices and accepts briefs in all areas of commercial law, revenue, construction and international trade. Outside of his practice, Tim is the current Vice-President of Queensland Young Lawyers where he has focused on regional outreach. He was recently the speaker at the Business Liaison Association’s annual Breakfast with the Law in Cairns – discussing the profession with year 10 to 12 students, as well as help organise the QYL x Downs and South West Queensland Law Association inaugural Winter Warmers in Toowoomba (https://lnkd.in/gdE4fNkP), and in Rockhampton for the What Judges in Central Queensland Want CPD co-organised with Central Queensland Law Association (https://lnkd.in/gha_TQ4Z)

Karen Gaston, George Street Chambers member, has recently been recognised as Leading Wills & Estates Litigation Junior Counsel - Queensland 2024 in Doyle's Guide.

Meet George Street Chambers member Shireen Long. Shireen has a broad commercial litigation practice accepting briefs in the areas of insolvency, building and construction, banking and finance, competition and consumer law, property and general commercial matters. More information about Shireen, including her contact details and recent cases can be found at https://lnkd.in/gHWwQiyw

Usually you don’t want a Judge laughing at your submissions, but in a rare exception, George Street Chambers members Peter Sams and Riley McDermott recently had a big win doing just that. Congratulations Peter and Riley! Peter Sams: https://lnkd.in/g9FXkWjg Riley McDermott: https://lnkd.in/gfUpDr7h

Founding member of George Street Chambers, David de Jersey KC, chaired and presented at the 2024 Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference at the Gold Coast, Queensland. Designed & delivered by Archway, George Street Chambers provides the perfect environment for in person and online dispute resolution. The fully functional space features an immersive boardroom, meeting rooms with advanced technology, and a state-of-the-art virtual hearing room to support seamless online mediations. David regularly acts as a mediator or for parties attending a mediation. He is a member of the Bar Association of Queensland’s ADR Committee. More information about the matters David regularly appears in can be found at:  https://lnkd.in/gZEDvtVj Photography of George Street Chambers by Archway.

Century Mining Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue [2024] QSC 143 George Street Chambers member, Samantha Amos, led by Madeline Brennan KC, appeared for the successful respondent in an appeal brought pursuant to ss 69 and 70 of the Taxation Administration Act 2001 (Qld). It is the first case to consider the proper construction of the definition of ‘marine cost’ under s 54(4) of the Mineral Resources Regulation 2013 (Qld). The issue to be determined on appeal was whether costs claimed to ship zinc concentrate from the Port of Karumba to ocean-going vessels on the roadstead anchorage were ‘marine costs’ and therefore deductible from the gross value of the mineral sold for the purposes of calculating royalties. Her Honour Treston J dismissed the appeal. Among other things, the Court found at [92] that ‘marine costs’ are “those proved to be freight or insurance costs; and those costs which are activities occurring, or risks arising, after the mineral is loaded onto the ocean-going vessel.” The case has been selected for reporting in the Queensland Reports.

Brightman v Royal Pines Projects Pty Ltd [2024] QSC 149 and [2024] QCA 147 In a significant decision for the residential property development and conveyancing industries, George Street Chambers member, Alexander Choy, led by Nick Ferrett KC, acted for twenty-three buyers of “off the plan” apartments in proceedings for declaratory and injunctive relief against a developer in the Supreme Court of Queensland. The proceedings concerned the proper construction of the developer’s standard form sale contract and considered whether the developer was required, pursuant to an implied obligation to co-operate, to grant access to the apartments prior to settlement to allow the buyers to obtain valuations in support of finance. The Court held that the developer was obliged to grant access to allow the buyers the opportunity to obtain finance and perform their fundamental obligation: tendering of the purchase price. It is the first time in which the duty to co-operate has been found to extend to requiring access under a contract of sale not subject to finance. An appeal brought by the developer was heard by the Court of Appeal and dismissed in [2024] QCA 147. The primary decision has been selected for reporting in the Queensland Reports.