Justin Mereine

Justin Mereine came to the Bar after practising commercial litigation as a solicitor for 10 years where his work was highly regarded.  He has been ranked by:

• Chambers and Partners in both their Asia Pacific and Global publications for the past ten years (2015 - 2024) as a Leading Junior Counsel in Australia; 
• The Best Lawyers in Australia for his work in Alternative Dispute Resolution (2020 - 2025), Litigation (2021 - 2025) as well as Insolvency and Reorganisation Law (2019 - 2025);
• The Best Lawyers Global Business Edition for his work in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Litigation as well as Insolvency and Reorganisation Law (2020-2023);
• The Legal 500 as a Leading Junior Counsel in Commercial Disputes (Asia Pacific 2022- 2024 editions); and
• Doyle's Guide as a Leading/Recommended Commercial Litigation Junior Counsel (Australia) (2015 - 2016), a Leading/Recommended Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Junior Counsel (Victoria) (2015 - 2019), a Leading Insolvency & Restructuring Junior Counsel (Victoria) and a Recommended Insolvency & Restructuring Junior Counsel (Australia) (2016 - 2018). 

Justin specialises in complex commercial litigation and advice.  His client list comprises both Australian and locally based multinationals, including companies listed on the ASX 200, companies listed on foreign exchanges and Australia's four largest banks.

He also represents privately-owned companies, directors, shareholders, unit holders, beneficiaries, trustees, administrators, receivers and managers, liquidators as well as creditors.  Justin has a thorough knowledge of the law in relation to directors' duties, fiduciary duties, civil penalties, and the insolvency regime.

The core of his practice centres on matters relating to banking and finance law, corporations, insolvency, trade practices, contract, torts, negligence, equity, trusts, property and regulatory provisions.  Justin is respected for his sharp analytical skills.  His ability to grasp the core issues in highly complicated commercial arrangements is well documented.  A list of recent appearances is provided below.

Justin is regarded as a tenacious litigator who combines strategic thinking, experience and a sound understanding of the law to achieve the desired objectives.

He has a comprehensive knowledge of the litigation process and dispute resolution mechanisms.  As an astute negotiator, Justin has successfully represented a range of clients in private and court-ordered mediations.

Prior to the Bar, Justin worked as a Senior Associate at Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons) (2006-2009) and Minter Ellison (2009-2011), both tier one law firms.

Justin has been published in numerous legal journals.  His article on automatic set-off in insolvency was published by the Commercial Bar Association of Victoria and on Lexology.  His articles on the decision of the Victorian Court of Appeal in Jetaway Logistics Pty Ltd v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation were published in the Australian Insolvency Journal and on the International Law Office website.  In addition, his article on the decision of the High Court of Australia in Aussie Vic Plant Pty Ltd v Esanda Finance Corporation was published in the Australian Insolvency Journal and he co-authored Chapter 23 (Directors’ Duties to Creditors) of Australian Finance Law, 6th Edition.

Legal 500 APAC 2024 

"Justin is a tenacious and skillful barrister. His advocacy skills are persuasive and always on point. His analytical and strategic skills are exceptional, and his extensive technical knowledge is an asset, particularly when dealing with complex litigation. As a client, he is easy to work with, and he is a trusted pair of hands for contentious matters."

Chambers and Partners 2022

Justin Mereine focuses his practice principally upon complex commercial issues arising in the corporate and financial services sectors, among which insolvency and regulatory aspects feature particularly prominently. A client who sums him up as "a smart and tenacious litigator who's very easy to work with," adds: "His high attention to detail is exceptional and advantageous in matters involving extensive and complex evidence."

Chambers and Partners 2021

Justin Mereine (Owen Dixon Chambers West) focuses his practice principally upon complex commercial issues arising from the corporate and financial services sectors, among which insolvency and regulatory aspects feature particularly prominently. Interviewees speak of him as "an excellent advocate, respected by his peers and the courts" and noted for his "excellent attention to detail and great strategic mindset."

Chambers and Partners 2020

Justin Mereine (Owen Dixon Chambers West) is highlighted by one solicitor as a barrister whose "highly committed and determined dedication to his client's cause," combined with "passionate advocacy and a fair amount of measured aggression," makes him a particularly good choice for especially "difficult and protracted" cases. Other sources emphasise his "meticulous preparation and highly honed research skills" and ability to "come up with a strategy and execute it with a high level of success – even against silks." He is especially experienced in the handling of cases involving complex financial documentation.

Chambers and Partners 2019

Justin Mereine (Owen Dixon Chambers West) stands out for his handling of particularly intricate commercial cases, notably those entailing analysis of the performance of directors' and officers' duties or incorporating complex forensic accounting issues. He is also noted as a barrister who is "very good at getting his head around the framework of rules, terms and principles involved in a new area" and applying that knowledge in a "smart, capable and very effective way."

Chambers and Partners 2018

Justin Mereine (Owen Dixon Chambers West) acts prominently on complex commercial cases, often involving issues of banking and finance, corporate or insolvency law, winning the respect of commentators for his exceptionally thorough analysis and tenacious courtroom performance. He acted successfully for the administrators of the Koko Black Group in Supreme Court of Victoria proceedings brought to secure and sustain ex parte freezing orders against the company's former financial controller.

Chambers and Partners 2017

Justin Mereine (Owen Dixon Chambers West) is noted, sources report, for being "uncompromising when it comes to conducting a thorough analysis of the facts," and his "robust knowledge of the law – coupled with his analytical skills – means that we benefit from first-class advice and first-class methodologies every time." Known for his highly capable handling of complex banking and finance, insolvency and trade practices cases, he recently represented former Gunns executive John Gay in Supreme Court of Tasmania proceedings concerning his alleged participation in insider trading.

Chambers and Partners 2016

Justin Mereine of Owen Dixon Chambers West is developing a reputation as a "very, very good" practitioner at the Melbourne Bar, maintaining a broad complex commercial litigation practichodical advocate" with particularly notable cross-examination skills, and a pragmatic grasp of commercial necessities. He handles a wide range of commercial cases, and recently played a notable role in the successful representation of the Bob Jane Corporation in a Victorian Supreme Court action brought by its founder.

QUALIFICATIONS

LL.B (Hons), B. Ec

Advanced Insolvency Law and Practice (IPAA)

View Justin Mereine's Extended Biography