• Victoria

• Crimes/Family Violence/Interv. Orders
• Family Law (Including Defacto)
• Mediation : Accredited Mediator

Doug McLeod practised for a short time as a Family Law Solicitor in regional Victoria before coming to the Bar.

Doug McLeod brings over 25 years of experience in family law to his practice as a barrister. He is known for his clear, pragmatic and calm approach and his ability to balance practical resolution strategies with strong, effective advocacy.  He is available to advise in advance of hearings and is happy to conference in the lead-up to trial or mediation.

Doug accepts briefs across the full spectrum of family law matters, with particular expertise in complex parenting matters. He frequently appears in cases involving Independent Children’s Lawyers (ICLs), international relocation and Hague Convention issues, and matters involving multilingual or cross-cultural family dynamics.

Doug has significant experience in property disputes, including those involving a wide range of assets including businesses, complex structures, rural and farming enterprise, and financial matters with unique or sensitive elements.

He regularly appears in pre-trial, interim and final hearings and is comfortable handling high-conflict litigation. Doug also has a well-established mediation practice, and is accepts briefs both as counsel and as mediator. His style in mediation is collaborative and resolution-focused, aiming to help parties find workable, lasting outcomes.

Whilst mostly briefed in metro Melbourne or regional Victoria, Doug has established experience in matters arising in Tasmania and the ACT, and accepts briefs from outside of Victoria regularly.