Alexandra is a commercial litigator with a broad practice in commercial disputes and insolvency matters.
She advises and represents clients in a wide range of matters, including complex contractual disputes, partnership disputes, misleading and deceptive conduct claims, intellectual property claims and disputes or investigations involving regulators and the State.
In particular, Alexandra has extensive experience in property law disputes regularly acting for Victorian Government departments, national landlords, significant tenants, investors and developers. Alexandra’s practice extends to all aspects of a dispute concerning land, including development agreements, contracts to purchase (including advising on termination rights and the use of options), caveats, the compulsory acquisition of land by government entities, off-the-plan purchase disputes and all issues arising under commercial and retail leases.
Separately, Alexandra advises on corporate insolvency and restructuring issues. Her expertise includes creditor claims, directors’ duties, voluntary administration, deeds of company arrangement, receivership and liquidation. Alexandra brings her combined experience in commercial litigation and insolvency law to debt recovery matters.
Alexandra is known for providing practical and commercial advice to her clients. She works closely with her clients to ensure a successful outcome is achieved expeditiously, in a cost effective manner.
Alexandra is regularly involved in thought leadership and publishes articles and presents to clients and associations from a range of sectors, particularly on property and leasing issues.
Experience
- Acting for trustees in a Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding to recover assets worth in excess of $500 million arising out of breaches of directors’ duties and involving numerous complex factual and legal issues.
- Acting for various Victorian Government departments and public authorities to allow them to deliver vital pieces of state infrastructure. Alexandra regularily advises and litigates claims made in VCAT and the Supreme Court of Victoria pursuant to the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 (Vic) and the Planning and Enviroment Act 1987 (Vic). Alexandra has recently defended a significant claim in excess of $50 million, which involved novel arguments (regarding the proper zoning of land and valuation of loss) and statutory interpretation issues.
- Acting on behalf of one of Australia’s largest public health services on a significant dispute involving a major tenant across multiple sites in relation to its non-compliance with lease and service obligations.
- Advising and acting for one of China’s largest development companies in its Australian dealings, including issues arising under contracts to purchase land, access issues and development and consultancy agreements.
- Advising and successfully acting in Supreme Court of Victoria proceedings on behalf of a significant franchisor in relation to disputes arising under various lease and franchising agreements.
- Advising landlords and tenants on all aspects of property disputes including:
- lease defaults, terminations and disputes;
- mediations before the Small Business Commissioner and VCAT claims;
- misleading and deceptive conduct claims;
- disputes arising out of the sale of property; and
- caveats and co-ownership disputes.
- Acting for and advising a high-profile security contractor in an appearance before the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Board of Inquiry, including responding to notices to produce and assisting with preparing a witness statement.
- Acting for registered training organisations in regulatory disputes with both State and Commonwealth regulators.
- Successfully acting for an international investment bank in proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria to successfully recover fraudulently acquired funds used to purchase a property in the name of a third party. The proceeding involved complex questions concerning the exceptions to indefeasability of title, agency and tracing principles.
- Defending patent infringement claims at first instance and on appeal concerning highly technical and specialised products. The proceeding raised questions regarding the proper construction of the patent and administrative law.
- Acting for the liquidator of the C&D Recycling (in liq) in respect of several potential claims under the Corporations Act. C&D Recycling operated a recycling business in Lara. On liquidation, there were outstanding VCAT enforcement orders requiring security and waste disposal. It is estimated that clean-up of the site will cost up between $40 million and $100 million.
- Acting for companies over which administrators have been appointed and assisting in restructuring by executing deeds of company arrangement. As well as advising on unfair preference payments and uncommercial transactions.
- Acting for creditors seeking to recover amounts outstanding and to enforce their contractual or statutory rights including at all stages of the litigation process from advising on strategy, issuing initial demands, representing clients at structured negotiations or mediations to during formal proceedings.