Get 11 CPD points for the price of 10 with our VIC Property Law Bundle!
Maximise your learning with two bestsellers designed for property law professionals. Start with the Commercial Leasing Essentials recording, where you’ll gain vital skills in drafting advantageous lease options, managing rent reviews effectively, and refining your overall leasing strategy—all on your schedule, anytime, anywhere.
Then, join us live online for the Property Law Conference and equip yourself with expert strategies for lease disputes, owners' corporation management, and tax compliance.
Attend both sessions and earn 11 CPD units including:
8 units in Substantive Law
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management & Business Skills
1 unit in Professional Skills
These programs are based on VIC legislation
Commercial Leasing Essentials: Options, Rent Review, Binding Agreements, Tax & Unfair Contracts
Don’t leave yourself exposed to significant risks in your leasing transactions. With potential disputes arising from poorly negotiated contract terms, financial setbacks from an inability to understand key taxation issues, or a misunderstanding of the binding nature of agreements resulting in a failure to protect your clients’ rights – the risks are endless. Attend this masterclass and acquire vital skills in drafting advantageous lease options, managing rent reviews effectively, and enhance your overall leasing strategy today.
Attend and earn 4 CPD units in Substantive Law
This program is based on VIC legislation
- What even is a ‘Heads of Agreement’!?!?
- Is a ‘Head of Agreement’ ever binding and, if so, when?
- What is the difference between a Heads of Agreement, an agreement to lease and a lease?
- How do options fit in with this?
Presented by Grant Lubofsky, Barrister & Mediator, Owen Dixon Chambers West
- Face vs effective rent review
- Mechanics of market rent review process
- Assumptions and disregards
- Practical considerations and tips and traps from Landlord and Tenant perspectives
- Retail lease requirements
- Recent caselaw
Presented by Emilie Fary, Special Counsel, Baker & McKenzie
Max Cameron, Partner, MinterEllison; Leading Leasing Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2024; Leading Property & Real Estate Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2024
Consider the complexities of unfair contract terms within lease agreements as you unpack common traps. Learn how to identify and challenge unfair clauses, ensuring fairer, more transparent leasing practices for all parties involved.
Presented by Joseph Carney, Barrister, Svenson Barristers
- What is an option?
- Characteristics of an option in a lease for a further term compared to characteristics of an option to purchase land: the differences
- Requirements for an effective exercise of an option
- Consequences of an effective exercise of an option
- Once an option is exercised is it necessary for a new Deed of Lease to be entered?
- Is it possible to obtain relief against forfeiture of the option if an option is not exercised in accordance with the lease?
Presented by Robert Hay KC, Owen Dixon Chambers East
- Taxation implications including income tax, GST and stamp duty
- Issues with incentives
- Issues with fit-outs and improvements
- Tricks & traps
Presented by Ross Higgins, Partner and Chartered Tax Adviser, Mills Oakley; Member, Tax Technical Committee for The Tax Institute
Presenters
Grant Lubofsky, Barrister & Mediator, Owen Dixon Chambers WestGrant Lubofsky is a barrister at the Victorian Bar and signed the Bar Roll in 2017. He has a broad commercial practice and appears in a range of commercial matters (including contract, corporations, insolvency and insurance matters) as well as equity, trusts and property matters. He regularly deals with issues of privilege of the kind being discussed today. Before coming to the Bar, Grant practiced as a solicitor in the commercial disputes and insolvency teams at Minter Ellison for several years, and more recently was the Senior Associate to the Justice Almond at the Commercial Court of the Supreme Court. Grant also teaches in corporations, trusts and property law at Monash University and has had papers published in a number of journals.
Joseph Carney, Barrister, Svenson Barristers
Joseph’s practice at the Victorian bar commonly involves large disputes. On the commercial side this includes acting in matters concerning the conduct of trading trusts, shareholder rights, share valuations, breaches of director’s and fiduciary duties, professional negligence (solicitors and actuaries), commercial fraud, contractual rights of termination and assessments of damages. On the Chancery side it includes acting in disputes concerning large private trusts and estates. Recent cases have involved disputes concerning the administration of certain large family trusts include Chan v Valmorbida Custodians Pty Ltd [2021] VSC 527 (settled at trial) where he was led by Allan Myers QC. He currently acts for a substantial family trust in proceedings in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, where he is again led by Allan Myers QC.
Ross Higgins, Partner and Chartered Tax Adviser, Mills Oakley
Ross Higgins is a partner in the Melbourne office Private Advisory Team working primarily in the area of Taxation Law. Ross has particular expertise in complex income tax, structuring, funding and transactional issues for a myriad of privately owned groups, listed groups and foreign-owned companies. He also advises on GST and duty issues and on tax audits and disputes. Ross brings a wealth of experience from advisory and legal implementation work in relation to many merger and acquisition transactions, property developments, complex group restructures, cross-border operations/investments, tax consolidated groups, employee share schemes and privately owned group issues including asset protection and succession planning.
Max Cameron, Partner, MinterEllison
Max Cameron is a leading property lawyer with over 42 years acting for many of Australia's leading landlords and tenants. His formidable commercial property and property management knowledge and experience includes recognised expertise in tenancy law, commercial contracts, mediation and litigation, and property development, particularly high-profile retail development. Known for his management and co-ordination of national, cross-jurisdiction teams, Max has a strong track-record acting for large corporate and public sector clients on a wide range of property matters including the leasing, acquisition, development, management and disposal of prime office, retail and industrial portfolios. Max's expertise is widely recognised as leading in independent legal directories including Chambers, Best Lawyers and Doyle's Guide and has been recognised as one of Australia's preeminent Real Estate lawyers. Max is the co-author of the MinterEllison publication 'Retail Tenancy Legislation Compendium.'
Robert Hay KC, Owen Dixon Chambers East
Robert Hay has been a barrister at the Victorian Bar since 1992 and practice mainly in the area of property law including sale of land, owners' corporation disputes, mortgages and leasing. Robert was appointed as a senior counsel in November 2014. He also acts as a mediator in property law disputes. Robert has co-authored the following leading texts - Bradbrook, Croft and Hay Commercial Tenancy Law (3rd ed, LexisNexis), 2009; Croft and Hay The Mortgagee's Power of Sale (3rd)(LexisNexis), 2012; Croft and Hay Retail Leases Victoria (looseleaf)(LexisNexis); and Hay, Lloyd and Rimmer Transfer of Land Act (Vic), 2nd ed, Thomson Reuters. Robert is also case note editor of the Property Law Journal (LexisNexis) and author of the popular blog "The Property Law Blog". Before becoming a barrister he was a cadet journalist and journalist with "The Mercury" newspaper in Hobart (1978 - 1983) and a solicitor at Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks in Melbourne (now Allens) (1987 - 1992).
Emilie Fary, Special Counsel, Baker & McKenzie
Emilie has over 20 years' experience as a Commercial Real Estate lawyer with in depth knowledge and experience in a broad range of commercial real estate matters, with a particular focus on industrial and office leasing. Emilie has comprehensive commercial office, retail and industrial leasing experience acting for both owners and occupiers nationally, including extensive experience in preparation and negotiation of Agreements for Lease and related pre-commitment documentation. In addition to commercial leasing, Emilie's practice also includes sales and acquisitions for institutional investors and preparation and negotiation of development documentation, acquisition of development land and off the plan broad acre residential sales. Emilie has recently held Committee roles on the Property Council of Australia VIC Tax, Retail and Commercial Leasing Committees. Emilie is commercial and astute in her approach with strong project management skills to deliver results on time.
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Property Law Conference: Advanced Strategies for Complex Challenges
Property lawyers must navigate a minefield of challenges, from vague lease provisions that spark disputes to the repercussions of recent tax changes affecting transactions. Coupled with the increasing importance of cyber resilience, the stakes are higher than ever. Adopt practical strategies to clearly define lease terms, effectively manage owners' corporation disputes, and understand tax implications to provide robust client advice. Enhance your negotiation skills to manage competing interests and fortify your practice against hidden dangers.
Attend and earn 7 CPD units including:
4 units in Substantive Law
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management & Business Skills
1 unit in Professional Skills
This program is based on VIC legislation
- Conducting due diligence
- Important terms to consider when drafting or reviewing contract of sale
- Is the vendor’s statement compliant with the Sale of Land Act?
- Recent legislative changes and how that affects contract of sale
Presented by Zoe Christodoulou, Senior Associate, Gadens; Australia’s Best Real Estate Lawyer, Lawyers Weekly, 30 Under 30 Awards, and Karena Balkwill, Senior Associate, Gadens
Chair: Richard Brooks, Consultant, Ashurst; Recommended Leasing Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2024
Learn from observations from a leading trial barrister and mediator as to what to consider and what to avoid when working up a case for mediation, when sharing information and common negotiation pitfalls, with a focus on property law disputes.
Presented by Andrew Silver, Barrister, Greens List Barristers; Leading Mediator, Doyle’s Guide 2024; Recommended Insolvency & Restructuring Junior Counsel, Doyle’s Guide 2024
Chair: Andrew Cameron, Barrister, List G Barristers; Best Lawyers 2025, Litigation and Real Property Law
- Heads of Agreement: points to look out for
- Deep dive into key lease provisions, risks and drivers for both parties
- Tips and traps from both a landlord and occupier perspective
- Focus areas of market rent review and make good
- Market trends
- Recent caselaw update
Presented by Emilie Fary, Special Counsel, Baker McKenzie and Josh Baldacchino, Senior Associate, Baker McKenzie
- Focus on preventing legal disputes within owners’ corporations through proactive legal strategies
- Practical advice on strengthening governance and improving decision-making processes
- Legal obligations for maintenance and repairs and how to manage them without escalation
- Financial management solutions: avoiding disputes over unpaid levies and debt recovery
- Emphasis on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms to resolve conflicts early
- Recent legislative changes and cases and compliance strategies for owners’ corporations
- Case studies and real-world examples of successful non-tribunal legal solutions
Presented by Sangeeta Thaker, Consulting Principal, Keypoint Law; Accredited Specialist in Property Law
- The legislative framework under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic)
- Key stakeholders
- The offence regime
- Cultural heritage management plans
- Other approvals (e.g. Cultural heritage permits)
- Compliance
- Dispute resolution
- Key considerations/takeaways from the case law
- Recommendations for best practice
Presented by Joshua Dellios, Partner, MinterEllison
Presenters
Emilie Fary, Special Counsel, Baker McKenzieEmilie has over 20 years' experience as a Commercial Real Estate lawyer with in depth knowledge and experience in a broad range of commercial real estate matters, with a particular focus on industrial and office leasing. Emilie has comprehensive commercial office, retail and industrial leasing experience acting for both owners and occupiers nationally, including extensive experience in preparation and negotiation of Agreements for Lease and related pre-commitment documentation. In addition to commercial leasing, Emilie's practice also includes sales and acquisitions for institutional investors and preparation and negotiation of development documentation, acquisition of development land and off the plan broad acre residential sales. Emilie has recently held Committee roles on the Property Council of Australia VIC Tax, Retail and Commercial Leasing Committees. Emilie is commercial and astute in her approach with strong project management skills to deliver results on time.
Josh Baldacchino, Senior Associate, Baker McKenzie
Josh is a Senior Associate at Baker McKenzie in the Commercial Real Estate Group and practices in all areas of real estate, including high-value sales and acquisitions, development projects and commercial leasing in the industrial, retail, luxury retail, office, data centre and BTR spaces. Josh assists a market-leading global client base enter and expand operations in the Australian market and advises a diverse range of domestic companies on their dynamic projects and property portfolios. In addition to more mainstream real estate advice, Josh also advises leading local and international renewable energy companies on their acquisition of land interests for large-scale wind, solar and battery developments across Australia.
Karena Balkwill, Senior Associate, Gadens
Karena Balkwill is a senior associate in Gadens’ Real Estate and Construction Team, based in Melbourne. Karena specialises in property development and property acquisitions and disposals and has extensive experience in large and high profile developments acting for developers, including residential, mixed-use, industrial and greenfield developments across the life cycle of a development. Karena was recognised in the Australasian Lawyer’s Rising Stars list for 2021 and was a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards for the Real Estate category in 2021. Karena was previously a member of the Outlook Young Professionals Committee of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (Victoria) and a committee member of the Asian Australian Lawyers Association, Inc. (Victoria).
Richard Brooks, Consultant, Ashurst
Richard Brooks is a consultant in Ashurst's real estate practice. Richard has a broad real estate practice, including acting for REITs and other institutional property owners, developers and corporate and government real estate occupiers, and acting on real estate aspects of financing, M&A, infrastructure and energy and resources projects. Richard is experienced in acting on commercial property leasing (for landlords and tenants), sale and lease backs, real estate investment and real estate development. Richard is listed in Best Lawyers Australia 2025 in Real Property Law, Leasing Law and Government Practice.
Anastasia Aslanidis, Principal Lawyer, Prisma Legal
Anastasia's passion for property law has driven her legal career since her admission to practise in 2000. She furthered her expertise in 2013 by achieving an accredited specialisation in this field. Anastasia has a diverse legal background having practiced in numerous private firms, served as in-house counsel for a managed investment scheme, and successfully operated her own practice. She has had the privilege of assisting a wide range of clients with their property law needs and understands that every property matter is unique. Anastasia joined Prisma Legal, a BCorp certified commercial and governance firm, in August 2024 as a Principal enjoying work/life harmony. Anastasia is a member of the LIV Property and Environmental Law Section Committee and a member of the LIV AS Property Law & Commercial Tenancy Committee. She also lectures on property law at Melbourne University.
Andrew Cameron, Barrister, List G Barristers
Andrew Cameron has a broad national commercial and public law practice. His practice comprises complex litigation involving valuation and real property law, contract, equity & trusts, corporations & securities law, commercial crime, inquiries and royal commissions. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Master of Laws, all from the University of Melbourne. He won a number of academic prizes during his undergraduate studies. He completed his articles at Minter Ellison and read with Wendy Harris KC and David Batt KC. Andrew is currently a director of List G Barristers and teaches in the Victorian Bar Readers’ Course on written evidence. Andrew has been recognised in Best Lawyers in Australia and Doyle’s Guide to Leading Commercial Litigation & Disputes Barristers.
Sangeeta Thaker, Consulting Principal, Keypoint Law
Sangeeta is an Accredited Specialist in Property Law, with over 20 years of experience advising Australian and international developers, corporations, listed and unlisted property trusts and financiers on the full breadth of property transactions – including acquisitions, disposals, structuring issues, lease transactions and development advice in relation to retail, commercial, industrial and residential property. Sangeeta has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating agreements for leases (and sub leases and licences), acting for both landlords and tenants on leases with a variety of permitted uses including airport subleases, port terminal leases, service station leases, shopping centre leases, QSR leases, leases in medical centres and hangar licences. Sangeeta joined Keypoint Law in 2022 and is based in Melbourne.
Zoe Christodoulou, Senior Associate, Gadens
Zoe Christodoulou specialises in property development and distressed property sales, and has experience acting on a number of significant property acquisitions and disposals. Zoe has experience providing advice to a range of institutional and private property developers for numerous greenfield development projects across Victoria. Zoe has experience in mixed use developments (including large scale residential apartments) and industrial developments. She is a member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia Committee (Outlook Young Professionals Committee) and has been recognised as a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards 2020, in the ‘Rising Star of the Year’ category and as a finalist in the 2024 Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30 Awards in the ‘Real Estate’ category.
Joshua Dellios, Partner, MinterEllison
Joshua Dellios specialise in helping clients navigate complex project approvals, land access and regulatory matters with a focus on the renewable energy, resources, infrastructure and urban development sectors. As a former environmental engineer and front-end corporate lawyer who has worked across Australia, Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa, both government and private sector clients value my deep technical and commercial expertise and my solutions-focussed approach.
Natashia Ackroyd, Partner, Holding Redlich
Natashia is a real estate partner at Holding Redlich. Over the past 15 years she has acted for many Australian and off shore funds, institutional investors and developers in their investment activities. She has also acted for state governments on strategic development projects. Her expertise includes real estate fund investments, property development, joint ventures and co-ownership arrangements, commercial leasing, structuring and titling issues and the tax issues associated with real estate projects and investments.
Andrew Silver, Barrister, Greens List Barristers
Andrew has a broad commercial and equity practice at the Bar. He is regularly briefed in respect of contract, trust, property, insolvency, partnership and/or corporations law disputes. Andrew is also regularly briefed to mediate disputes. He mediates in most areas of civil law excluding personal injuries and family law disputes. Andrew has been listed by Doyles Guide's 'Leading Mediators - Victoria' in each of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Andrew holds a Victorian Bar Advanced Mediator accreditation.
Iain McLaren, Special Counsel, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
Iain McLaren is a Special Counsel in HWL Ebsworth’s national commercial group, based in Melbourne. Iain specialises in information technology law, privacy, data protection, intellectual property, and general commercial contracting. Iain has over two decades of expertise in information technology law, privacy, and data protection, as a lawyer and as a technology director and manager. Iain's career has focused on combining legal compliance with technological innovation, high impact and efficient commercial contracting, and providing intellectual property and privacy and data protection advice to clients. Iain's guidance has been pivotal for APRA-regulated entities and government entities, including major Australian banks, Australia Post, and hospitals, in navigating complex SaaS, cloud computing and outsourcing projects. As an experienced lawyer, Iain's work revolves around facilitating cost-effective legal processes that align with strategic business objectives. At Plexus, Iain led the service delivery team to assist with redefining legal service delivery, contributing to the firm's recognition as a groundbreaking force in legal automation and insourcing. Plexus’s collaborative efforts with over half of the ASX100 underscores its commitment to legal efficiency and strategic impact.
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