Pierre Testart

Pierre was called to the Bar in 1991 and read with Garry Moore.

Pierre’s practice consists predominantly of family law matters, though he has had experience in other areas of law and accepts briefs for Guardianship and Administration matters, and other matters by negotiation.

Pierre began at the Bar with a varied practice, with Magistrates’ Court appearances in civil and criminal matters, developing into a County and Supreme Court practice, conducting both judge alone and jury trials. Pierre appeared in the Federal AAT, and in VCAT regularly, in a range of matters, including Town Planning and Guardianship and Administration matters.

Pierre’s interest in family law, developed as a solicitor, saw him receiving more briefs in that area, and by about the year 2000, most of his practice consisted of family law matters, although his interest in other areas saw him briefed in a number of cases with unusual facts.

Pierre has a background in property law and general commercial law that enables him to conduct complex family law property settlement matters, including Full Court appeals.

Pierre has practiced at the Appellate level in the County Court (on appeals from the Children’s Court and the Magistrates’ Court) and in the Victorian Court of Appeal; however, the bulk of his appellate work has been in the Full Court of the Family Court.

On the parenting side of family law, Pierre’s skills in cross-examination have allowed him to represent his clients effectively.

Pierre is an accredited Advocacy Coach with the Australian Advocacy Institute, and has delivered numerous seminars and workshops in general advocacy, and family law, in the company of Queen’s Counsel and Family Court judges.