With further strata reforms taking effect over the last 12 months and more than 1.07 million strata and community-title lots across NSW, a 7% increase since 2022, the risks for owners corporations, committees and advisers continue to grow. Gain expert guidance on building repairs, common property obligations and the practical impact of ongoing reforms you will focus on managing disputes, understanding the decisions and your liability. Gain clear direction on strata renewal, repair claims and effective dispute resolution, with practical insights from leading strata law specialists. Leave better equipped to manage the complex challenges facing you when dealing with strata schemes or advising your clients.

Presenters

Matthew McGirr, Barrister, Eight Wentworth Chambers
Matthew McGirr is a barrister at Eight Wentworth Chambers with a practice spanning strata, property, building and construction, commercial law, corporations, insolvency, equity and white-collar crime. Since coming to the Bar, he has acted, both led and unled, in more than 50 trials, appeals and applications. Matthew was previously a Senior Solicitor at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, where he advised on APRA’s powers in relation to banks, insurers and superannuation funds. He has also practised at Herbert Smith Freehills and Gilbert + Tobin and worked as a lawyer and policy adviser at the Australian Institute of Company Directors, including on the insolvency safe-harbour reforms and other corporate-law policy matters. Matthew graduated with a Juris Doctor with Honours from UNSW, received UNSW Dean’s List Prizes in 2012 and 2013 and placed first in Restitution, Remedies and American Public Law.

Tom Bacon, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Lawyer, Strata Title Lawyers
Tom Bacon is the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Lawyer of Strata Title Lawyers and practises exclusively in strata and community title law. He has acted in significant Australian strata cases concerning the duties, powers and obligations of owners corporations. Tom has more than 15 years’ cross-jurisdictional experience across Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and the Caribbean. He previously practised as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand, appearing for government clients in environmental, building, insurance, regulatory and administrative law matters. Tom is an accredited mediator trained in the Harvard Model of Mediation, a Board Member of the Owners Corporation Network of Australia and a Fellow of the Australasian College of Strata Lawyers. He holds a Master of Laws from UNSW and Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Auckland.

Ian McKnight, Principal, IA McKnight Solicitor
Ian McKnight is a Principal, IA McKnight Solicitor and is widely regarded as a doyen of strata law in New South Wales. He has more than 50 years’ experience in legal practice and has held a strata managing agent’s licence since 1983, giving him both legal and practical strata-management experience. Ian advises owners corporations, strata managers, developers, building managers, property professionals, investors and regulators. He is a Life Member of the Law Society of NSW, a Fellow of the Australian College of Community Association Lawyers and a recipient of the Strata Community Australia President’s Award. Ian is the author of the “Strata Titles” chapter in LexisNexis Butterworths NSW Court Forms and Precedents. His previous roles include Head of Strata at ClarkeKann Lawyers, Partner at Grace Lawyers and Special Counsel at Makinson d’Apice Lawyers.

Bede Haines, Barrister, University Chambers
Bede Haines is a barrister at University Chambers practising in property, strata and community title, commercial and contract law, equity, insolvency, trusts and estates, and building and construction law. Before joining the Bar, he practised as a solicitor for almost 20 years, including as a litigation partner at Holding Redlich. Bede is a member of the editorial panel of the Australian Property Law Bulletin and publishes several articles each year. His work has also appeared in the Australian Law Journal and the Australian Journal of Legal Philosophy. He was formerly Tipstaff to the Hon Murray Tobias AM RFD KC in the NSW Court of Appeal. Bede received the Julius Stone Prize for Legal Theory, the UNSW Dean’s Certificate for Academic Achievement and recognition on the University of Sydney Dean’s List for Excellence in Academic Performance. He has appeared in the Supreme Court, Federal Court, Land and Environment Court, District Court, Local Court and NCAT.

Olivia Eum, Special Counsel, Holding Redlich
Olivia Eum is a Special Counsel at Holding Redlich and an Accredited Specialist in Property Law. She advises on strata and community schemes, titling, subdivisions, strata renewal and termination, collective sales, development contracts, management statements, by-laws and off-the-plan developments. Olivia has worked on major property development projects, including Billbergia’s award-winning Wentworth Point Marina project. She was recognised as a Property & Real Estate Law Rising Star in Doyle’s Guide in 2023 and 2025 and in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Australia 2027 for Real Property Law. Olivia is a member of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers, participated in the Property Council of Australia’s 500 Women in Property program in 2024–25 and was formerly a member of the UDIA NSW Young Leaders Committee.