BA, LLB (Hons)
Liam Magowan

T.  +61 3 8600 1732
M. +61 0409 254 235
magowan@chancery.com.au

Level 25, 200 Queen Street, Melbourne

Clerk: List F
Foley’s List
T. 9225 7777

Areas of practice
Liam is an experienced barrister and appears in a wide range of disputes. Liam has over 16 years' experience representing clients involved in a variety of disputes (interlocutory, trial and appeal) including in relation to the following areas of law: administrative, contract; franchising, owners corporation, corporations, property, building and construction law, the Australian Consumer Law, equity and trust and aviation.

Liam has extensive experience in working on cases as part of a team made up of solicitors and other counsel.

Liam is an experienced trial advocate.

Liam also frequently appears in appeals.

Liam also appears before specialist tribunals and boards and at inquests.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Liam was a solicitor in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group at Blake Dawson (now Ashurst).

Liam read with John Dixon (now Justice Dixon of the Supreme Court).

Liam was a member of the Monash University Moot Team that won the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, Vienna, Austria, 2001.


Since coming to the Bar in 2007, Liam has appeared in the following proceedings of note:

Supreme Court of Victoria – Court of Appeal

  • RW & ME Smith Pty Ltd v Boral Resources (Vic.) Pty. Ltd [2022] VSCA 216: acted for Applicant in relation to security for costs application in appeal (on going).
  • Fernandez v EJ Industries Ltd [2020] VSCA 139: acted for Applicant in an appeal from County Court of Victoria.
  • Trailer Trash Franchise Systems Pty Ltd v GM Fascia & Gutter Pty Ltd [2017] VSCA 293: acted for Respondent in appeal concerning security for costs. 
  • St Kilda Arts and Events Company (Vic) Pty Ltd & Ors v Apes with Wings Pty Ltd & Anor [2015] VSCA 199: acted for Respondent in appeal from the County Court of Victoria.
  • Cornerstone Hardware Brokers (Australia) Pty Ltd v Methven Australia Pty Ltd [2015] VSCA 128 (with S Horgan QC): acted for Appellant in contract dispute. 
  • HIH Claims Support Limited v Insurance Australia Limited [2010] VSCA 255 (with Cliff Pannam QC): acted for Appellant in proceeding involving contribution.

Supreme Court of Victoria

  • Re Blockchain Tech Pty Ltd [2022] VSC 564: application in relation to use of joint expert.
  • Dolan v Dolan [2022] VSC 543: acted for Plaintiff  in caveat removal case (on appeal).
  •  Anor v Yue & Ors [2022] VSC 489 and Yang & Anor v Yue & Ors [2021] VSC 102: acted for Plaintiff in various applications (applicability of foreign law).
  • I Minh Holdings Pty Ltd v Chuang [2021] VSC 760: application in relation to security for costs (third party costs).
  • Samuel & Charlie Nominees Pty Ltd v Supreme Dental Grandview Pty Ltd [2021] VSC 589: costs dispute. 
  • White v Woodward [2020] VSC 59 (14 September 2020): acted for non party in application for costs post trial.
  • Down Town Visuals v Panorama Investments (No 3) [2018] VSC 691; Panorama Investments Pty Ltd v Mellos (No 2) [2017] VSC 639; Down Town Visuals v Panorama Investments [2018] VSC 427; Panorama Investments v Mellos & Ors [2017] VSC 608 and others: acted for lender in relation to six complex debt recovery and related proceedings.
  • Chapman v Chief Officer of Victoria State Emergency Service [2017] VSC 547: acted for Plaintiffs in complex administrative law proceedings.  
  • Frilay v Walsh [2016] VSC 368: acted for Defendant in dispute concerning the Guardianship and Administration Act 1986.
  • Asset Flooring v North [2016] VSC 31: acted for Respondent in appeal from Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
  • McGuinness v ACM Group Ltd [2015] VSC 216: acted for Appellant in appeal from Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
  • Play Australia Pty Ltd v Papadimitriou [2014] VSC 608: acted for Plaintiff in relation to debt / misleading and deceptive claim.
  • Bernstone v Almack-Kelly [2014] VSC 358: acted for Appellant in appeal from the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
  • McGarry v 14 Hiscock Street Pty Ltd & Ors [2012] VSC 573: acted for the Plaintiff in dispute as to nature of equitable interest of the Plaintiff and dispute between caveators as to priority of equitable interest of the Plaintiff.
  • Humphries v Southern Cross Ski Club [2012] VSC 232 (with Stephen O’Bryan SC): acted for Plaintiff in relation to his removal from Ski Club.
  • Powell v Athanasopoulos [2010] VSC 558 (with Stephen O’Bryan QC): acted for Defendant councillor in proceeding brought by the Minister responsible under the Local Government Act to oust the sitting councillor.
  • Galanopoulos v Moustafa & Ors [2010] VSC 380: acted for Plaintiff in oppression proceedings.
  • HIH Claims Support v Insurance Australia v Insurance Australia [2009] VSC 434 (with John Dixon SC (as he then was)): acted for the Plaintiff in proceedings involving contribution.

Coroners Court:

  • Inquest into the death of Maxwell Quartermain and Ors: acted as counsel assisting in relation to accident (Essendon Airport, collision with DFO) resulting in the death of pilot and passengers in relation to commercial flight (findings pending).

County Court

  • RW & ME Smith Pty Ltd V Boral Resources (Vic) Pty Ltd [2022] VCC 729: acted for Plaintiff at trial concerning termination of contract (on appeal).
  • Barnes v 10 Fawkner Road Pty Ltd [2019] VCC 1769: acted for Defendants in trial concerning property dispute.
  • GM Fascia & Gutter PL v Trailer Trash Franchise Systems PL & Anor [2019] VCC 248: acted for plaintiff in a franchise dispute.
  • Nguyen v Shah [2018] VCC 1340: acted for Plaintiff in trial concerning indemnity.
  • Auluaulu International (PVT) Ltd & Anor v GS Logistics Pty Ltd [2017] VCC 1204: acted for Plaintiff in trial concerning sale of goods, conversion and unconscionable conduct.
  • Cornerstone Hardware Brokers (Aust) Pty Ltd v Methven Australia Pty Ltd [2014] VCC 945: acted for Plaintiff in trial of contract dispute. 
  • Apes With Wings Pty Ltd & Anor v St Kilda Arts and Events Company (Vic) Pty Ltd & Ors [2014] VCC 2023: acted for Plaintiff in trial of property and leasing dispute. 
  • J Renee Nominees Pty Ltd v Mastrogiannis & Anor [2013] VCC 1381: acted for purchaser in relation to trial concerning sale of property.
  • Singleton v Marina Apartments [2012] VCC 1341: acted for purchaser in relation to dispute concerning property (summary judgment obtained).
  • Kingisland Meatworks and Cellars Pty Ltd v Piero Mastromanno and Bonjust Pty Ltd [2012] VCC 25: acted for Defendant in trial of commercial dispute.
  • Coles Group Property Developments Ltd v Hill [2011] VCC 683: acted for owner/Plaintiff in leasing dispute.
  • Mastromanno v Mastromanno [2011] VCC 327: acted for Plaintiff in dispute in relation to a trustee’s entitlement to legal costs.
  • Slater & Gordon Limited v Kliger Partners Lawyers & Ors [2010] VCC 0487: acted for Plaintiff in dispute regarding entitlement to legal fees.
  • Capital Finance Australia v Norton White Services (Vic) Pty Ltd [2009] VCC 0830: acted for the Defendants in trial of dispute in relation to leased equipment.
  • Martin v Ian Fraser representing the Estate of Sally Anne Fraser [2009] VCC 683: acted for the Defendants in relation to trial concerning the applicability of the Civil Aviation (Carriers’ Liability Act) 1959 to an aviation accident.

Magistrates’ Court of Victoria

  • Dover v NAFP (Financial Planning) Pty Ltd & Anor [2022] VMC 3: acted for Defendants in test case concerning collapsed provider of financial services.   

VCAT

  • Owners Corporation PS 419696X v Goh (Owners Corporations) [2022] VCAT 899; Owners Corporation PS 41969X v Goh (No 3) (Owners Corporations) [2020] VCAT 1397 (10 December 2020); Owners Corporation PS 419696X v Goh (No. 2) (Owners Corporations) [2019] VCAT 1609: acted for Applicant in complex OC Dispute (on going).
  • DJP Scoria Pty Ltd v Mount Road Nominees Pty Ltd (No 2) (Building and Property) [2020] VCAT 552: Acted for respondent in application to set aside injunction.
  • O’Callaghan v Greater Shepparton CC [2020] VCAT 1345 (1 December 2020): acted for Applicant in planning dispute.
  • acted for applicants in various interlocutory disputes.
  • GDM Technologies Pty Ltd v Questco Pty Ltd [2018] VCAT 544 (Building and Property): acted for Applicant in injunction application to restrain settlement of contract in relation to property.
  • 109 Fitzroy Street Pty Ltd v Frelane Pty Ltd (Building and Property) [2017] VCAT 140 and 109 Fitzroy Street Pty Ltd v Frelane Pty Ltd (Building and Property) [2017] VCAT 1987: acted for tenant/Applicant in trial of retail leases dispute and costs dispute.
  • Florina Furniture Pty Ltd v Itris Corporation Pty Ltd (Civil Claims) [2015] VCAT 543: acted for tenant / Respondent in leases dispute.
  • Hallmark Group (Aust) Pty Ltd v Owners Corporation PS300042M (Owners Corporations) [2014] VCAT 1268: acted for owner / Applicant in owners corporation dispute.
  • St Kilda Arts & Events Company (Vic) Pty Ltd v Apes with Wings Pty Ltd (Building and Property) [2014] VCAT 1055: acted for owner / Respondent in relation to property and retail leases dispute.
  • Kounelis v Ross Horton Homes Pty Ltd (Domestic Building) [2014] VCAT 319: acted for builder / Respondent in domestic building dispute. 
  • Tien v Pho & Anor (Real Property) [2013] VCAT 265: acted for owner/Respondent in trial concerning Part IV of the Property Law Act.
  • Michell v Winch (Real Property) [2012] VCAT 1524: acted for Respondent in trial.
  • South East Timber Supplies Pty Ltd v Finrent Pty Ltd & Anor (Civil Claims) [2010] VCAT 1051: acted for an Applicant against a financier in relation to a “bundled service” agreement.
  • Eugene Snopkowski v Lorraine Jones [2008] VCAT 1943: acted for the Applicant in relation to a civil dispute with his former solicitor brought under Part 4.3 of the Legal Profession Act 2004, the first such case of its kind.

BAB

  • In the matter of Owners Corporation PS 419696X v City of Melbourne (No 2) [2019] VBAB 42 (judgment from hearing, 2021, pending): acted for Applicant in dispute concerning expert evidence (apprehension of bias) and also in substantive appeal.

Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of New South Wales

  • Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council v Darkinjung Pty Ltd (In Liq) & Anor [2010] NSWCA 351(with Rob Shepherd): acted for cross claimant in relation to entitlement to legal fees.

Supreme Court of New South Wales

  • Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council v Darkinjung Pty Ltd & Ors [2010] NSWSC 132 (with Rob Shepherd): acted for cross claimant in relation to entitlement to legal fees.

Federal Court of Australia

  • Domain Paper (Australia) Pty Ltd v Galloway [2014] FCA 936 (with Tim North QC): acted for Applicant in dispute concerning legal professional privilege.
  • Transfield ER Futures Limited v The Ship ‘Giovanna Iuliano [2012] FCA 548 (with Sam Horgan QC): acted for ship owner in relation to release from arrest of ship (order for release obtained).
  • Rio Tinto Alcan Inc and Ors v EF Maritime Navigations SA (with Sam Horgan SC): acted for Rio Tinto in relation to a claim under the Hague-Visby Rules concerning a shipment of alumina to Canada.
Date of Admission: 26 April 2005
Signed Bar Roll: 24 May 2007
Nationally Accredited Mediator: 16 Jul 2021
Division of Bar Roll: Victorian Practising Counsel
Qualifications: B.A., LL.B. (Hons)
Previous Occupation: Solicitor, Blake Dawson

Level 25: Telephone: +61 3 8600 1700 Fax: +61 3 8600 1725
Level 26: Telephone: +61 3 8600 1777 Fax: +61 3 8600 1770
email: contact@chancery.com.au