Surane Fonseka has a strong background in litigation, negotiation, written and oral advocacy. His experience spans across many areas of law such as, commercial litigation, family law, complex property disputes, criminal law, bankruptcy and insolvency, consumer protection, child protection, corporations law, proceeds of crime and anti-money laundering.

Given the overarching obligation encouraging lawyers to resolve matters  early as possible or out of court, Surane is also retained in many matters seeking his oral or written advise as to the prospect of success (which is provided in quick time) before proceedings are instituted.

He practiced overseas as counsel in many areas of law for over a decade before joining the Queensland Bar in 2003 and practiced as a solicitor in Victoria for more than 15 years.

Surane also spent 11 years as a Principal Lawyer at the Office of Public Prosecutions, predominantly specialising in proceeds of crime, anti-money laundering and confiscation matters. He contributed to amendments to the Confiscation Act 1997 and secured one of Victoria’s largest compensation orders ($15.6 million), along with multiple high-value property forfeitures. Accordingly, he has a nuanced understanding of the many areas of law that apply to property disputes, whether it is proceeds of crime, property disputes in family law or other types of property disputes.

Earlier in his career, he represented victims in the well-known HMAS Voyager and HMAS Melbourne collision cases, advised ITSA (AFSA) on bankruptcy matters, and served as a law firm partner and a migration agent.

He was on the panel of counsel of the Commonwealth DPP and the DFFH (briefed to appear in child protection matters) and is currently on the panel of counsel of the OPP (retained to appear for the Crown) and on the panel of counsel of the Victorian EPA.

Surane is available state-wide for solicitor briefs. Rapid turnaround on advices, drafting of affidavits and pleadings. Responsive, strategic and trial-ready.

Surane is easily accessible in his free time to new solicitors as a mentor seeking guidance and help.

Practice Areas

• Commercial Litigation – Complex contractual disputes, shareholder and partnership conflicts, corporate insolvency
• Property & Real Estate – Complex property disputes, constructive trusts, mortgage and priority disputes, compulsory acquisition
• Proceeds of Crime & Anti-Money Laundering – Confiscation proceedings, asset forfeiture, unexplained wealth, compliance and advisory
• Criminal Law – Defence and prosecution work, regulatory offences, white-collar crime
• Bankruptcy & Insolvency – Personal and corporate insolvency, advisory and litigation (including prior advisory work to ITSA/AFSA)
• Corporations Law – Directors' duties, oppression remedies, winding-up proceedings
• Consumer Protection – ACL matters, misleading and deceptive conduct, product liability
• Family Law – Property disputes, complex financial matters, parenting orders, child protection (DFFH panel experience)
• Child Protection – Represented DFFH (CPLO) in a large number of child protection proceedings,  obtaining various orders, such as Interim accommodation orders, Family preservation orders, Family reunification orders, Care by Secretary orders, Long-term care orders, Permanent care orders etc.