Michael Beaconsfield

Michael specialises in matters of land use controversy affecting landowners, property developers, councils, statutory authorities and neighbours. 

Michael accepts instructions to appear in a wide range of matters before the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), Planning Panels Victoria, the Supreme Court of Victoria, Federal Court of Australia and Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. 

Michael is particularly interested in: 

• Appeals for merits review by VCAT on town planning matters including development applications; 
• Property law matters relating to easements, restrictive covenants, adverse possession and subdivision; 
• Land valuation, acquisition and compensation matters; 
• Owners corporation matters; 
• Enforcement matters under the Planning & Environment Act; and 
• Other legal issues involving property development, including those arising under the Sale of Land Act and the Australian Consumer Law. 
   

Before coming to the Bar, Michael gained over ten years of experience as a solicitor at Allens, as an investment banking analyst at Credit Suisse and as a development manager for a boutique residential property developer. 

Michael holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from Monash University. During his time at university, he was President of the Law Students’ Society and twice won the Victorian university student mooting championship (Governor General’s Competition). 

Michael is reading with Andrew Walker. His senior mentors are Paul Connor KC and Peter O’Farrell SC.