In the courtroom, precision is power. Whether you're preparing pleadings, affidavits or other court documents the quality of your written advocacy can significantly influence outcomes for your clients. This essential seminar is designed to sharpen your drafting skills, enhance your legal writing and ensure your documents meet the high standards that you expect of yourself. Leading barristers will unpack the steps to drafting effective Briefs to Counsel, Pleadings, Affidavits and other supporting Court Documents plus share practical tips, pitfalls and best practices. Whether you're early in your career or seeking a refresher, equip yourself with the tools to draft with confidence, precision and impact.

Presenters

Adam Butt, Barrister, 8 Wentworth Chambers
Adam Butt is an Australian Barrister based in Sydney who specializes in international arbitration, commercial litigation and human rights law. Prior to joining the New South Wales Bar he practiced as a solicitor at Allens Linklaters and as a senior associate in the international arbitration team at Clayton Utz. Adam acts on international investment and commercial arbitrations globally. He also acts on complex commercial and human rights cases and regularly leads teams in Federal and state Supreme Courts, in cases both for and against the Crown. He has appeared successfully in the High Court. Adam has won major native title and Aboriginal land claim disputes across Australia, in addition to significant claims brought under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). During 2020 to 2024, Adam was a finalist each year in Australia’s Lawyers Weekly Barrister of the Year Award, including winning the Award in 2021. Adam has postgraduate degrees in law and politics from New York University and Cambridge where he placed first in several subjects, and has been a visiting scholar in negotiation at Harvard. He is also admitted as an attorney in New York. Adam is a current member of the NSW Bar Association’s Human Rights Committee and its International Committee. He regularly publishes and presents in Australia and overseas on ADR, expert evidence, contract and civil procedure. He has been a board member of several international ADR bodies in Australia and overseas.


Andrew Bailey, Barrister, Third Floor Wentworth Chambers
Andrew has developed a broad practice as both advocate and adviser, with expertise in: Commercial litigation, building and construction disputes (including Security of Payment matters), bankruptcy and insolvency, equity, wills and estates, administrative law. Andrew maintains a strong commercial and equity-focused practice, appearing in trial courts and alternative dispute resolution forums for a diverse client base, including SMEs, high-net-worth individuals, and government departments. His early exposure to family provision matters at Church & Grace in Sydney laid the foundation for his current work in contested probate and estate litigation, where he acts for both plaintiffs and estates.


Ashley Cameron, Barrister, Greenway Chambers
Ashley Cameron has a commercial practice that focuses on building and construction, insurance, equity, property and general commercial litigation. She represents government, individual and corporate clients, working closely with instructing solicitors and in-house counsel to ensure a practical and commercial approach to resolving disputes. Ashley’s excellent research, legal analysis and written and oral advocacy make her an asset, both in and out of court. Before being called to the Bar, Ashley worked in the commercial litigation teams at TressCox Lawyers and HWL Ebsworth as a senior associate. She was also the tipstaff to NSW Supreme Court judge, the Hon Justice Robert McDougall. Her achievements include Doyles Guide Leading Construction & Infrastructure Junior Counsel – New South Wales– Recommended 2021-2024; Ludlows Award 2018 (awarded to the individual who receives the highest overall mark in the NSW Bar exams); and Katrina Dawson Award 2018 (awarded annually to one woman who has passed the NSW Bar exams and is committed to starting practice at the Bar).

Wai Kaey Soon, Barrister, Frederick Jordan Chambers
Wai Kaey was admitted as a solicitor in 2010 and called to the Bar in 2014. His practice encompasses advising and appearing in contract and commercial disputes, insolvency and bankruptcy, complex corporations litigation and insurance law disputes. Wai Kaey has represented individuals, banks, insurance companies and multi-national corporations in a broad range of jurisdictions across Australia, including in New South Wales, Western Australia and Victoria. Prior to being called to the Bar, Wai Kaey gained experience at several large law firms and governmental statutory bodies, including Clayton Utz, Baker & McKenzie and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science (Information Technology) degree from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney.

Paul Livingstone, Barrister, Frederick Jordan Chambers
Paul’s primary area of practice is family law. He also possesses specialist expertise in complex financial disputes, succession and family provision matters, matrimonial property disputes, and matters concerning child welfare and adoption. Paul is also a registered and accredited Arbitrator for Family Law Property matters. The depth of Paul’s practice within these areas extends to appearing in complicated areas, including child gender reassignment, and in leading cases on the international relocation and abduction of children. His High Court practice has included a parenting dispute regarding changing a child’s name and another concerning the constitutional power of the Commonwealth to make laws in relation to the treatment of third parties to a marriage. Other jurisdictions in which Paul regularly appears includes the Family Court of Australia, Full Court of the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court. His expansive practice also sees him appearing interstate, with regular appearances in the Northern Territory. In addition to his family law practice, Paul frequently appears in the Succession Act / Family Provision Act List. He is familiar with the law and practice in this area and has appeared for both plaintiffs as well as defendants, including major charities. Paul offers a ‘holistic’ service and provides significant support to his instructing solicitors throughout the entire litigation process; from drafting applications, to assisting with collating evidence and drafting affidavits. With considerable experience in mediations, Paul also works hard to reach the most favourable outcomes for his clients. Prior to being called to the Bar, Paul practised as a solicitor at specialist family law firm and was Associate to Judge Bell of the District Court of New South Wales. He holds a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales and a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University. He was previously a contributing author of the CCH De Facto Relationships loose-leaf service and has delivered various academic papers to the North Shore Family Lawyers Group and at various professional conferences.