Expertise

Duncan has specialised in complex commercial litigation for over 20 years. He was a partner at an international firm for 12 years before joining Cornwalls.

Duncan enjoys the variety that flows from being a generalist. He has acted for clients in a wide and diverse range of commercial disputes, including class actions, major regulatory investigations and related litigation, Royal Commissions, tax disputes, and contractual disputes. He has assisted clients to resolve matters successfully across numerous sectors including automotive, retail, oil and gas, integrated entertainment, IT, mining, banking, pharmaceutical and telecommunications.

Duncan has particular expertise and experience in product liability, advising in respect of recalls, investigations and disputes with a focus on automotive and consumer goods.

Experience

Duncan’s recent experience includes:

  • advising a global automotive brand in its defence of a class action related to Takata airbags, and related mandatory recalls;
  • advising a listed company director in respect of an ASIC investigation and section 19 examination;
  • representing a global oil and gas company in Federal Court tax proceedings related to the Petroleum Resource Rent Act;
  • advising a global health science company in a large-scale privilege dispute with the Commissioner of Taxation;
  • advising an integrated resort and entertainment company in Royal Commissions in Victoria and Western Australia;
  • advising a telecommunications company in a major ACCC investigation concerning the terms of its business contracts;
  • advising a global manufacturer of recreational vehicles in a coordinated ACCC/Australian Border Force investigation concerning the alleged importation of asbestos-containing products;
  • advising various automotive brands in a number of disputes with suppliers and customers concerning alleged defects.

Pro bono & community work

  • Advisory Board Member, Deakin University School of Law, 2011-Present

Professional Recognition

  • Who’s Who Legal, Product Liability Defence – Recommended, 2021-2023

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Law (LLB) – Honors 1st class), Deakin University
  • Master of Arts – Journalism & Law, Macquarie University
  • Bachelor of Arts (Com) – Communications & Journalism, University of Technology Sydney

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practise

  • Victoria

“I believe that the most important first step is to find out what the client aims to achieve, and what matters to them. From there the strategy and tactics to resolve the dispute will emerge.”

Litigation & Dispute Resolution