Join for a practical and insightful exploration of statutory interpretation in action. Unpack how interpretive principles apply not only to legislation but also to contracts and administrative decision-making. Examine the intersection of human rights and interpretation, review recent key decisions plus gain hands-on strategies for framing arguments, drafting advice and avoiding common interpretive pitfalls. All guided by expert and experienced practitioners.

Presenters

Dan Star KC, Barrister, List A Barristers
Dan has been at the Victorian Bar for over twenty five years and has been a Silk for approaching eight years. His practise is in cases in the Federal Court and the Supreme Court particularly in administrative law and regulatory matters across various areas of law. He has acted for and against a broad range of Commonwealth and State Ministers, departments and agencies in investigations and litigation. He has experience in cases involving regulators including the ACCC, the ASIC, the EPA and the Essential Services Commission. Dan is also briefed to provide written advice on matters of statutory interpretation. He has appeared in royal commissions and inquiries such as the Yoorrook Justice Commission (2023-2024) and the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry (2020). Dan holds a first class honours degree in law from the University of Melbourne. He is a writer/editor of the monthly "Federal Court Judgments" section in the Law Institute Journal published by the Law Institute of Victoria. Dan is the Chair of the Victorian Bar's Human Rights Committee.

Natalie Blok, Barrister, Ah Ket Chambers
Natalie Blok has been a lawyer for over 15 years, and a barrister for 7. Natalie has a background in administrative and employment law, focusing more recently on planning and environment law. Natalie regularly advises and appears for government agencies (including water authorities and local councils) and private parties in planning appeals, regulatory & penalty proceedings, inquiries & inquests and merits & judicial review proceedings. Her practice involves frequent appearance work in courts and tribunals, including VCAT, the Supreme Court, the Federal Court, the Federal Circuit Court, the AAT, Boards and Panels. Before becoming a lawyer, Natalie worked in the disability sector. Natalie is hard working, systematic and thorough with a personable approach. She is known for attending to both detail and broader strategy. Natalie has an excellent understanding of government systems and administrative processes and is adept at making them easily understandable. She is passionate about the law, and the environment (both natural and urban) and brings strong research, writing and problem-solving skills to her work. Natalie is compassionate and sensitive to peoples’ needs. In 2018, Natalie completed a Masters of Public and International Law at the University of Melbourne and is currently undertaking post graduate studies in Planning and Environment at RMIT. Natalie is also a reporter for the Victorian Reports. Natalie regularly works with Senior Counsel, most recently with Daniel Star QC, Dominique Hogan-Doran SC, Kristen Walker QC (Solicitor-General), Malcolm Harding SC and Christopher Canavan QC. She has also worked with Richard Niall QC (now of the Court of Appeal), Melinda Richards SC & Steve Moore QC (both now of the Supreme Court), Susan Brennan SC, Paul O’Grady QC, Guy Gilbert SC, Sarah Porritt and Emrys Nekvapil. Natalie welcomes electronic briefs and direct access briefs.

Nidal Sayegh, Special Counsel, Maddocks
Nidal works in the Inquiries, Prosecution and Administrative Law Branch at the VGSO and has an extensive practice in administrative and public law matters, focussing on delivering pragmatic and innovative solutions to complex legal problems. Nidal's current practice includes advising on statutory interpretation and administrative law issues including delegations and authorisations, acting for disciplinary boards in panel hearings and tribunal referrals, advising on the conduct of formal investigations and formal inquiries, including Royal Commissions, parliamentary inquiries and boards of inquiry and acting for public sector departments and agencies in numerous merits and judicial review matters. Nidal joined the VGSO in 2022 and prior to this had a variety of in-house legal and management roles at the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance and Cladding Safety Victoria and prior to joining the VGSO was Acting Director, Legal, Commercial and Procurement at Cladding Safety Victoria. Nidal has been involved in high-complexity, high profile administrative law and freedom of information matters, prosecutions, privacy matters, commercial transactions and major infrastructure projects and has significant experience working for both Commonwealth and State Governments.

James Cameron, Barrister, Castan Chambers
James is a Barrister at the Victorian Bar practicing in public law, including administrative law, regulatory and disciplinary matters, and health law. Before coming to the Bar, James held a number of roles in the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Health. James was also an Associate to His Honour Judge Taft in the County Court. James is an Honorary Fellow at the Melbourne Law School, having earlier completed a PhD there.

James Stoller, Barrister, Ah Ket Chambers
James specialises in proceedings involving government parties. He acts for and against government entities in judicial review proceedings and statutory appeals; professional disciplinary, licensing, and civil penalty proceedings; applications for regulatory injunctions; applications to stay regulatory action; planning and environmental cases; merits review proceedings; investigations and inquiries; common law cases involving government defendants; and statutory prosecutions in a regulatory context.