Senior Counsel

Ian Neil SC joins 6 St James Hall

The members of 6 St James Hall Chambers are delighted to announce that leading Sydney silk Ian Neil SC has joined the Floor from 1 September 2018.  A silk since 2006, Ian has a wide appellate, commercial, inquiries and equity practice, with a particular specialty in employment and industrial law. 

Ian’s modern and collaborative approach to advocacy and his national practice complement the existing commercial, industrial and international strengths of 6 St James Hall. Ian joins the existing international practice group of Chambers and will continue to conduct mediations and arbitrations in Australia, Hong Kong, and in the London Beth Din.   

Ian will continue to practice from the new 6 St James Hall Annex in the Art Deco Trust Building.

For all inquiries please contact head of chambers, Dr Christopher Ward SC (cward@stjames.net.au), clerk to Ian Neil SC, Sharon Verhagen chambers@ianneil.com or Chambers Practice Manager Nora Faulua

Dr Christopher Ward SC elected to global Presidency of ILA

6 St James Hall Chambers is delighted to announce that senior counsel Dr Christopher Ward SC was last week, elected to position of global President of the International Law Association.  The ILA, which has almost 5,000 members world-wide, works to develop and publicise rules of private and public international law.  Dr Ward’s extensive work over many decades in both fields of international law and related commercial law will ensure that the Association’s work is strengthened during his 2 year term.  The ILA last week, successfully gathered from around the world in Sydney for the 78th Biennial Conference, hosted by Dr Ward and the Australian Branch of the ILA. The Conference was addressed by dignitaries including the Right Honorable Lord Mance, Chief Justice Kiefel, Chief Justice Allsop, Chief Justice Bathurst, the Hon Mark Speakman and Chief Justice Pascoe as well as other Australian and foreign judges, counsel and arbitrators.  The Conference was greatly assisted by 6 St James Hall Barrister Ms Madeleine Bridgett.

$64 million verdict obtained by 6 St James Hall Counsel in fraud trial.

Senior Counsel at 6 St James’ Hall Dr Christopher Ward SC last week secured for his client Dr Benoy Berry a verdict of $64,800,000 in a long-running commercial fraud case brought against former Reserve Bank company Securency (now known as CCL Secure).  Dr Ward appeared with experienced junior counsel Mr Phillip Santucci and was instructed by leading boutique firm Marque Lawyers.  The verdict follows the earlier judgment on the merits in December 2017 and demonstrates the risks to corporate entities when engaging in fraudulent conduct to achieve commercial goals.  The merits judgment is found here. The case is discussed here