Tuesday, 17 March 2026
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is based on NSW legislation
This program is based on NSW legislation
Chair
Anthony Lo Surdo SC, 8 Wentworth Chambers
Misleading, Deceptive & Unconscionable Conduct in Leasing: Key Lessons and Litigation Insight
Provisions of the Retail Leases Act 1994 (NSW) and the Australian Consumer Law prohibit conduct that is misleading, deceptive, or unconscionable in connection with lease negotiations and enforcement. Recent ACCC enforcement actions, Court and Tribunal decisions have intensified scrutiny on leasing practices. Allegations of unconscionable, misleading or deceptive conduct are usually made by tenants against landlords, often in the context of a broader dispute.
- Consider recent Court and Tribunal decisions which have considered the application of these laws
- Identify the relevant principles as most recently applied
Presented by Andrew Fernon SC, Senior Counsel, University Chambers
Presenters
Anthony Lo Surdo SC, 8 Wentworth Chambers
Anthony is a commercial silk specialising in banking, building and construction, contract, corporations, insolvency, professional negligence, property and sports law. He is an internationally accredited mediator (IMI) and accredited as a Leading Mediator (AMDRAS) and an Advanced Mediator (Resolution Institute). He has been ranked by Doyles Guide in 2018-2025 as a leading mediator. Anthony is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and registered in the Australian Register of Practising Arbitrators as a Grade 1 Arbitrator. He is also accredited as an arbitrator in Dubai and PNG and registered by the National Court of Justice of PNG as an international and domestic arbitrator. He was ranked by Doyles Guide in 2019-2025 as one of the country’s leading arbitration Silks. He is a panel member of many of the world’s leading international arbitral institutions and is regularly appointed as an arbitrator both domestically and internationally. Anthony has sat as both a sole and panel arbitrator including as Chair in over 100 domestic and international arbitrations involving complex commercial, disciplinary and governance disputes. Anthony is a leading, internationally recognised, sports law Silk and regularly sits as an arbitrator on international and domestic sport tribunals including the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the Football Australia Appeal Panel and Disciplinary and Ethics Committee and the National Sports Tribunal. He was recognised in the Lexology Index, Australia & New Zealand, 2025 in the category, “Sports & Entertainment” and by the Lexology Global Index, 2025 in the category of “Sports.” Anthony is a part-time Senior Member of NCAT sitting on its Appeal Panel and in the Occupational Division. Further information about Anthony’s ADR expertise is available at: www.silkmediator.com.au.
Andrew Fernon SC, Senior Counsel, University Chambers
Andrew Fernon was called to the NSW Bar in 2000, having been previously admitted to practice in 1988 in both NSW and the ACT. He read with David Hammerschlag (now the Hon. Hammerschlag, Chief Judge in Equity, Supreme Court of NSW). Andrew has been a member of University Chambers since 2001, taking silk in 2020. Andrew maintains a broad practice; however he has particular interest and expertise in commercial, corporations, equity, insolvency, leasing / strata / real property. Andrew also appears in family law disputes, particularly involving issues of property, equity and insolvency. He has considerable experience in appellate work in all areas of his practice. Andrew appears in all courts and tribunals in all jurisdictions. Whilst based in NSW, he has had considerable recent experience appearing in Queensland.
