Darren Ferrari

Qualifications:: Bachelor of Laws (Hons); Bachelor of Arts (Hons); Master of Laws
Chambers:: Level 8 Room 34
Isaacs Chambers
555 Lonsdale Street Melbourne
Telephone:: 03 9225 6760
Mobile Phone:: 0412 124 076
Facsimile:: 03 9225 8668
Signed Bar Roll:: 2007
Admitted in Victoria:: 2002
E-Mail:: darrenferrari@vicbar.com.au

Practice Profile

Darren Ferrari has a broad commercial litigation practice and has appeared in all Victorian jurisdictions, the Federal Court and the Federal Magistrates' Court. He has particular experience in assisting and advising in insurance claims and disputes.

Darren has substantial experience in matters concerning investigations by government regulators. He also has an ongoing interest in competition law, which he studied as a part of his recent postgraduate study.

Before joining the Bar, Darren was employed by Freehills as a solicitor in its Commercial Litigation group. In 2003, he was seconded to the Public Interest Law Clearing House. He maintains an interest and an involvement in public interest and pro bono matters.

Darren studied Arts, gaining honours in history, and Law at the University of Adelaide. He has also completed a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne. He is currently undertaking a PhD through the University of Adelaide.

Memberships

The Victorian Bar Pro Bono Committee

Liability limited by a scheme approved under the Professional Standards Legislation.

Commercial Law

Dropulich & Ors v McHarg & Ors [2008] VSC 238

Preshil, The Margaret Lyttle Memorial School (Anti-Discrimination Exemption) [2008] VCAT 2414

Spectrum Ophthalmics Pty Ltd v Ryan [2010] VSC 19

Earth Force Personnel Pty Ltd v E A Negri Pty Ltd [2010] VSC 426

Darren Ferrari

News and Publications

Darren Ferrari is currently acting on behalf of Geelong Grammar School in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in
response to a claim brought by a former student of the prestigious private school. The former student claims the school failed to provide the academic support she needed.

The student’s mother argued before the Tribunal that, although the school was aware that her daughter had scored highly on an
intelligence test, it had failed to provide the “exceptional” education she had expected from the school.

The case continues before the Tribunal.

Please click here for media coverage.

Other recent cases that Darren has appeared in include:

Acting for a superannuation fund trustee and a life insurer in a Federal Court appeal against a Superannuation Complaints Tribunal determination. The applicant claims to be entitled to a death benefit payable by the superannuation fund. The appeal concerns the insurer's decision to avoid liability under a group life policy because of a breach of the fund member's duty of disclosure and the trustee's exercise of discretion in determining to whom the benefit was paid. Darren is acting as junior counsel to Jeffrey Gleeson SC.

Acting for a former director of a company and his partner in proceedings brought against them in the County Court. The proceedings were commenced by former franchisees of a franchise operated by the company of which the defendant was a director. The plaintiffs alleged, amongst other things, that the defendant breached the Trade Practices Act. The breaches alleged included misleading or deceptive conduct and breaches of the Franchising Code of Conduct.

Acting for multiple clients in proceedings brought in the Supreme Court of Victoria by their former employers. The defendants were alleged to have unlawfully taken confidential information when they left their employer. Darren was briefed as junior to Sam Hogan SC.

Acting for Ms Dropulich in Dropulich v McHarg [2008] VSC 238. Darren was junior to Paul Lacava QC (now Judge Lacava of the County Court of Victoria). Ms Dropulich alleged that her neighbour had wrongfully denied her access to the common property in the apartment building they both shared. Ms Dropulich was successful in proving that Ms McHarg's conduct was unlawful but unsuccessful in seeking that the behaviour be restrained. Mr Lavaca and I were briefed shortly before the trial.

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Darren Ferrari

Practice Profile

Commercial Law