Dispute Resolution Lawyer

The nature of the legal profession and the services offered are changing. Litigation gets longer, more complex and more expensive. Many clients are increasingly unable or unwilling to pay for litigation. Other processes for dispute resolution (predominantly mediation) are increasingly prevalant.

At the same time it is a truism that of all the proceedings that are commenced nearly all of them (in excess of 90%) settle. Over my years in commercial litigation I was always interested in what caused settlement and this ultimately led me to complete my masters degree in Dispute Resolution at the UNSW in 2019.

Apart from acting as a mediator, arbitrator and facilitator, I have been involved in many mediations as advocate over the years. I will accept instructions to act as mediator, arbitrator or facilitator or to represent you or advise in respect of one of those processes

Migration Law

I have been providing migration assistance since 2001 and (until the profession was deregulated in 2021) was one of a handful of barristers who were also registered as a migration agent.

Although I can still assist and advise on visa applications, my specialty is in dealing with visa refusals or cancelations and decisions not to revoke a cancellation on character grounds. I can assist in the preparation of evidence and the drafting of submissions either for the Minister’s delegate or the AAT. 

I can of course, appear in the AAT or in the courts if a judicial review application is made.  There is more detail about my migration law practice on my other website: www.paulcutler.com.au .

Commercial Litigation

I have been practising in commercial litigation lawyer since 1996. I have conducted matters for individuals, businesses and even the government in many different jurisdictions. My specialties are corporate insolvency and bankruptcy but in reality my practice is a lot more diverse than that. While the Equity and Corporations Lists of the Supreme Court of NSW are where you will often find me, I am also regularly instructed in a wide range of commercial disputes as well as migration law (see above),  family provision (Succession Act), family law and occasionally, crime. I often appear in the Federal Court, the Federal Circuit Court, the District and Local Court as well as the various state (NCAT) and federal tribunals (AAT).

My Qualifications

Between 1983-1996 I worked as an industrial chemist in research, in chemical manufacturing and in the food industry.

I was admitted to practice as a legal practitioner on 5 July 1996 and commenced practice as a barrister in October 2006.

Some of my cases