Presenters

Richard Sergi, Barrister, Greenway Chambers
Richard Sergi is a barrister with over 20 years’ experience at the Bar specialising in medical negligence (common law personal injury claims), Inquests and health practitioner disciplinary proceedings. Complex medical negligence matters and major claims form a significant part of Richard’s practice. His extensive experience covers all clinical areas including, for example, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, cardiothoracic medicine, respiratory medicine, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, neurology, general surgery, and psychiatric practice. Richard acts for public health authorities and private hospitals as well as individual practitioners including Visiting Medical Officers, Staff Specialists, and employed medical and allied health practitioners in both public and private practice. The particular obligations, pitfalls and forensic idiosyncrasies of coronial proceedings and the Coroners Act 2009 are a significant part of Richard’s practice. He appears for all manner of interested parties including hospitals, service providers, and health practitioners in matters arising under the Health Practitioners Regulation National Law (NSW).Richard facilitates expert enclaves and is an accredited mediator. He is briefed as Independent Counsel to determine damages of eligible claimants in class action proceedings. While medical negligence and related matters are Richard’s principal area of practice, he maintains a practice in other common law areas including public liability, occupiers’ liability, and intentional wrongs. Richard has built his practice on an unfailing commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for his clients. The hallmarks of his approach are his down-to-earth manner, exceptional advocacy skills and attention to detail. Patient, diplomatic and frank, Richard is an advocate who understands the importance of clear and timely advice. He believes that a collegiate working relationship with solicitors is fundamental to ensuring clients make informed decisions during the legal process and achieve the best result. Richard is a member of the NSW Medico-Legal Society of NSW Inc.


David Higgs SC, 12 Wentworth Selborne Chambers
David was admitted as a solicitor in 1973, commenced practice as a barrister on 1 January 1977 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 1995. He has appeared in a wide variety of matters at first instance and/or on appeal in the Supreme Courts of NSW, the ACT, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia as well as in the Federal Court of Australia and the High Court of Australia. Relevant to this seminar, one of David’s main areas of practice is medical negligence. Only recently, in Polsen v Harrison [2024] NSWCA 224, he appeared before the New South Wales Court of Appeal for the appellant. That case deals with the vexed issue as to what is required for a defendant to establish no liability based on s.5O of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW). David now mainly acts as a mediator or arbitrator.