Eliza Bergin

Eliza Bergin practices in commercial, public and administrative law, specialising in planning and environmental law, land valuation and compulsory acquisition of land.  

Eliza is briefed to appear for clients in the State Supreme Courts at trial and appellate level, VCAT, the ART and before panels, Royal Commissions and inquiries. Eliza’s experience includes regular appearances in the following areas:

• Planning and environmental proceedings of all types including merits review, enforcement action, declaratory and injunctive relief;
  
• Land valuation, land tax and ratings disputes, rights to compensation from planning reservations,  compulsory acquisition of land and challenges to acquisitions;
• Public and administrative law including Judicial Review, FOI and migration law;
• Commercial litigation with a planning, environment or government aspect.

A list of  Eliza’s recent cases is in the CV attached (refer Victorian Bar profile).

Eliza also has considerable Royal Commission experience.  Most recently, in 2019-2021, Eliza was appointed as a Counsel to Assist in the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety by the Commonwealth Attorney-General.  As a solicitor, Eliza advised the Municipal Association of Victoria in the Bushfires Royal Commission as a member of the team at King & Wood Mallesons (2009).  Eliza was a member of the team of solicitors advising the State of Victoria on the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry (2010).

Eliza is recommended by clients and peers in the publication The Best Lawyers in Australia™ (2022-2026).  Eliza is a member of the Victorian Planning & Environmental Law Association (VPELA).

As to her qualifications, in 2016, Eliza graduated with a Masters of Law in Environmental Law from ANU.  Eliza holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons) from the University of Melbourne (1999) and a Bachelor of Science from Monash University, major in environmental science (1996). 

In leadership roles, Eliza was Chair of the Law Institute of Victoria Planning and Environmental Law Section committee (2016-2017).  Eliza is a long-term member of the St Kilda Cycling Club Inc (SKCC), the largest cycling club in Australia.  Eliza was Secretary of SKCC (2016-2017).   Eliza has also completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course for Not-for-Profit Directors (2018).

In her early career, since 2004, Eliza has specialised in the areas of planning and environmental law and public and administrative law.  She was Associate to The Honourable Professor Peter Gray AM of the Federal Court of Australia (2001-2002).  Eliza was also a legislative drafter in the Office of Chief Parliamentary Counsel in Victoria (2002-2004).  Eliza was a Solicitor and Senior Associate at King & Wood Mallesons (2004-2010) and a Principal Solicitor at VGSO (2010-2017).