Barrister Information

Profile

Michael practices in all areas of public and commercial law.

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

Michael appears 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, County Court of Victoria and Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. 

Michael advises on and appears in:

  • VCAT merits reviews (appeals) on town planning decisions, including development applications; 
  • Property law matters relating to easements, restrictive covenants, adverse possession and subdivision; 
  • State-based taxation law, including land tax objections and exemptions, stamp duty, vacant residential land tax and windfall gains tax;
  • Land valuation, acquisition and compensation matters; 
  • Owners corporation matters; 
  • Enforcement matters under the Planning & Environment Act; and 
  • Other legal issues involving property transactions and 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 Monash University Senior Mooting Competition and the Victorian university student mooting championship (Governor General’s Competition). 

Michael is a member of the Victorian Bar Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Committee and was previously a member of the Victorian Bar Innovation and Technology Committee (ITC). He is also a member of the Victorian Planning & Environment Law Association. 

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

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation. The information referred to above has been supplied by the barrister concerned. Neither Victorian Bar Inc nor the barrister's clerk have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information and neither accepts any responsibility in that regard.

Admitted

12 Nov 2013

Victorian Bar

02 May 2024

Areas of Expertise

    Agricultural Law

    Alternative Dispute Resolution 2 Areas

    • Arbitration
    • Mediations

    Environment and Planning 10 Areas

    • Animal Welfare
    • Civil Enforcement
    • Compulsory Acquisition of Land and Compensation
    • Environment and Planning
    • Environment and Planning Appellate
    • Fishery Licenses and Commercial Fisheries
    • Local Government
    • Merit Appeals
    • Mining
    • Valuation of Land - Rating and Taxing Appeals

    Appellate 3 Areas

    • Appellate
    • Appellate Merits Review
    • Civil Appeals

    Building and Construction 3 Areas

    • Commercial Building Disputes
    • Engineering
    • Residential Building Disputes

    Public Administrative 10 Areas

    • Civil and Human Rights
    • Compliance and Investigations
    • Disciplinary Proceedings
    • Discrimination
    • Judicial Review and Administrative Law
    • Liquor Licensing
    • Merits Review
    • Native Title
    • Privacy or Freedom of Information
    • Public Administrative Appellate

    Civil Procedure Law

    Commercial 9 Areas

    • Commercial Appellate
    • Commercial Class Actions
    • Competition and Consumer Law
    • Contractual Disputes
    • Insurance
    • Insurance - Public Liability
    • Insurance and Professional Negligence
    • Professional Liability
    • Strata and Community Title

    Inquests Inquiries 1 Areas

    • Commissions or Tribunals and Other Inquiries

    Energy and Resources 1 Areas

    • Energy and Infrastructure

    Criminal 1 Areas

    • Environmental and Planning Offences

    Government 3 Areas

    • Food Industry Regulation
    • Gaming Industry Regulation
    • Industry Regulations

    Tax Revenue 2 Areas

    • Land Tax
    • Stamp Duty and Other State Taxes

    Equity 1 Areas

    • Real Property

CPD Resources

Podcasts & Papers

To Engage With Michael Beaconsfield
Call us on 03 9225 7777 or Enquire Below