Stefan Balafoutis

Admitted to the bar 2002
Entitled to practise in all Australian jurisdictions

Areas of Practice:

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours equiv) (UNSW) 1996
Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) (UNSW) 1996

Previous experience

Stefan has 15 years experience in commercial litigation.

In 1997 he commenced his career as an associate to Justice Lockhart, who was a Federal Court judge and President of the Australian Competition Tribunal at the time.

Stefan then worked as a solicitor with Corrs Chambers Westgarth in their commercial litigation and trade practices groups before coming to the bar in 2002.

Selected Cases

Some examples of cases that Stefan has been involved in appear below. Further information about experience in particular areas is available upon request.


Disputes arising under the Corporations Act including insolvency matters

• Ongoing proceedings by an investor against financial advisers (MBD Management v Butcher [2010] FCA 1071).
• Proceedings instituted by ASIC concerning breach of director's duties and a managed investment scheme (ASIC v Weriton, NSWSC, 2010-11)
• Proceedings seeking the recovery of unfair preferences and uncommercial transactions - acting for liquidator (Tolcher v Capital Finance [2008] HCATrans 281, 282 and 316; (2006) 164 FCR 83; (2005) 143 FCR 300).
• Proceedings seeking the recovery of unfair preferences - acting for creditor (Maxsted v HP Launder [2006] SADC 130).
• Proceedings alleging oppression and breach of directors' duties (Pongrass Group Operations v Paterson, NSW Supreme Court, 2005-11).
• Miscellaneous Corporations Act proceedings, including liquidator's examinations, winding up applications and applications to set aside statutory demands (eg Beck v Weinstock [2010] NSWSC 1068; Crawford v Oswald Park [2006] NSWSC 987).
  
  

Disputes arising under the Competition and Consumer Act including regulatory disputes

• Proceedings challenging the Australian Energy Regulator's decision concerning electricity prices in the ACT (ActewAGL v Australian Energy Regulator [2011] FCA 639).
• Proceedings alleging misleading or deceptive conduct (Chint Australasia v Cosmoluce [2008] NSWSC 635; Lewis v McKinnon [2011] NSWSC 338).
• Proceedings alleging contravention of s 51AD of the Trade Practices Act and the Franchising Code of Conduct (Civic Video v Garfell [2008] NSWDC 3).
• Australian Competition Tribunal proceedings reviewing ACCC's decision to reject Vodafone's access undertaking (Application by Vodafone Network Pty Ltd (2007) ATPR 42-150).
• Australian Competition Tribunal proceedings reviewing ACCC's decision to reject Optus' access undertaking (Application by Optus Mobile Pty Ltd (2006) 205 FLR 29).
  
  

Intellectual property disputes

Stefan is listed in Doyle's Guide to Lawyers as one of NSW's recommended intellectual property barristers.

• Ongoing proceedings alleging infringement of copyright including moral rights (Perez v Fernandez, Federal Magistrates Court).
• Ongoing proceedings alleging misuse of confidential information in an employment relationship (Macquarie Telecom v Moon, Supreme Court of NSW).
• Proceedings alleging copyright infringement against a company and its directors and seeking additional damages (PPCA v All Girls Entertainment [2010] FMCA 293).
• Copyright Tribunal proceedings assessing reasonable royalties for digital downloads (APRA v AMCOS (2009) 84 IPR 402).
• Proceedings alleging copyright infringement and seeking additional damages (Phonographic Performance v Adelaide City Entertainment [2005] FMCA 923).
• Proceedings seeking Anton Piller orders and Norwich Pharmacal relief arising from copyright infringement (Australia New College v Li [2005] FMCA 984).
• Proceedings alleging large scale copyright infringement over the internet (Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd v Sharman License Holdings Ltd (2005) 220 ALR 1).
  
  

Disputes involving contracts, equitable principles and real property

• Proceedings seeking to set aside a mortgage under Contracts Review Act (Permanent Custodians v Mera & Ors, NSW Supreme Court, 2007-10)
• Proceedings involving a contractual dispute between banker and customer (Sam Management v Bank of Western Australia [2009] NSWCA 320).
• Proceedings alleging undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty and unconscionable conduct (Badman v Drake [2008] NSWSC 1366).
• Proceedings concerned with priority of competing equitable interests (Circuit Finance v Wills [2006] NSWSC 35).
• Proceedings between lessor and lessee under the Retail Leases Act (Rose v Batson Holdings Pty Ltd [2004] NSWADT 268).
• Proceedings alleging vendor was not entitled to rescind contracts for sale of land (Churnin v Pilot Developments [2003] NSWCA 391).
• Proceedings alleging vendors acted unconscientiously by terminating a contract for sale of land (Romanos v Pentagold Investments (2003) 217 CLR 367).
• Proceedings concerned with Protected Estates Act - now NSW Trustee and Guardian Act ([2008] NSWSC 36, [2005] NSWSC 581, (2004) 60 NSWLR 513, [2003] NSWSC 621)
  
  

Disputes involving administrative law

• Proceedings under the ADJR Act seeking to set aside the decision of the Australian Energy Regulator (ActewAGL v Australian Energy Regulator [2011] FCA 639).
• Proceedings seeking judicial review of decision refusing to grant a lease (Reid & Darmody v ACT Planning and Land Authority [2008] ACTAAT 6).
• Proceedings in the Land & Environment Court and Court of Appeal concerned with judicial review of a council's development approval (Belmorgan v GPT (2007) 153 LGERA 450).
• Proceedings seeking prerogative relief and orders under the ADJR Act to set aside a decision of ACT Planning Authority to grant development approval (Capital Property Projects v Planning & Land Authority [2007] ACTAAT 7, [2007] ATSC 95, [2008] ACTCA 9).
• Proceedings seeking judicial review of a council's development approval (Mid Western Community Action Group v Mid-Western Regional Council [2008] NSWLEC 143; [2007] NSWLEC 411).
• Proceedings seeking to invalidate delegated legislation (Capital Property Projects v Planning & Land Authority (2006) 206 FLR 328).
• Proceedings seeking judicial review of a council's development approval (GPT v Wollongong City Council (2006) 151 LGERA 116).
  
  

Contact:

10th Floor Selborne/Wentworth Chambers
174 Phillip Street
Sydney NSW 2000
DX 375 Sydney

Tel No. 02 9232 0630
Fax No. 02 9221 3724
Email balafoutis@tenthfloor.org

Clerk: Dianne Strathdee
Tel No. 02 9232 4609
Fax No. 02 9221 3724
Email strathdee@tenthfloor.org