Thursday, 12 March 2026
Description
Attend and earn 0.5 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is based on VIC legislation
Chair
Charles Harrison, Partner, Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers
Applications to Set Aside Deeds of Release
- Guidance from the High Court in DZY
- Setting aside whole deeds or only deeds insofar as they relate to claims for general damages
- Discovery of prior files of plaintiffs and defendants and privilege waiver
Presented by Nina Vallins, Barrister, Owen Dixon Chambers West
Presenters
Nina Vallins, Barrister, Owen Dixon Chambers West
Nina practices in common law with particular expertise in institutional abuse matters and Sentencing Act applications for compensation. Prior to coming to the bar, she was a solicitor at Angela Sdrinis Legal, a Judge’s Associate, and working in management and policy positions in community and international development.
Charles Harrison, Partner, Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers
Charles Harrison is a Partner in Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers’ Melbourne Office and works primarily in litigation and dispute resolution. He is also active in the not-for-profit and media law space. Charles has extensive experience in the conduct of civil claims for institutional abuse across a range of jurisdictions including Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. Charles acts for both institutional Defendant clients and also for Plaintiffs. Between 2015 and 2016, Charles was initially seconded and then employed by an institutional Defendant. This opportunity deepened Charles’ litigation experience and provided him with a unique insight into a large institutional defendant. Specifically, it augmented his practical approach to issues around discovery, as well as document production and maintenance, and the role involved him being “at the coal face” with various case studies of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Charles also appreciates the human element in responding to such matters. Returning to private practice in 2016, Charles now manages large-scale litigation and discovery, using ‘big-data’ to shape a holistic approach to case management. Charles has an in depth understanding of the various areas of law reform which effect and will continue to affect Civil Claims for Institutional Abuse. Charles is currently undertaking a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne and is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria, the Australian Lawyers Alliance, and the Victorian Privacy Network.
