• Victoria
• Australian States & Territories
• Australian Federal Jurisdictions
• Solomon Islands
• Papua New Guinea
• England & Wales.

• Administrative Law
• Commercial Law
• Common Law
• Contract
• Employment Law
• Gaming Law
• Industrial Law
• Mediation : Accredited Mediator

Stephen Howells is a highly experienced and diligent commercial litigator.  He brings to litigation in Victorian Courts significant tactical acumen in matters of procedure and substance, in appeals, trials and substantial interlocutory disputes.[show_more]

Stephen conducts practice from Chambers in each of London and Victoria.  He has had for many years singular expertise in civil fraud litigation, evidenced by the authorities listed below, and involving complex issues involving real property restitution in Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland and other Eastern European countries.

In addition, Stephen is an accredited Mediator, regularly acts for State instrumentalities in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia, and in addition, has also served as a statutory regulator of Gaming in Australia (as well as practising in that area).

 

Employment and Industrial Law 

Stephen Howells has practised in all aspects of employment and industrial law in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the South Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

In each of these jurisdictions the English common law underpins the conduct of all disputation, negotiation, mediation and litigation.  It also underpins the statutory regimes for the settlement and arbitration of individual and collective employment disputes and the jurisprudence of the statutory tribunals.  Stephen has advised on these matters and appeared before all of the relevant Courts and Tribunals since 1986.

He has advised on and appeared in cases involving wrongful dismissal or termination, breach of terms of employment, breach of restrictive covenants, harassment, underpayment, recovery of overpayment, breach of industrial awards and collective agreements, pension and superannuation entitlements, redundancy and retrenchment decisions and compensation.

Stephen has also advised on the drafting of employment proposals and agreements including complex remuneration arrangements with share and option benefits, partnerships, and proprietary interests.  Stephen has also advised on and appeared in cases concerning the main jurisdictional questions of status, service contract arrangements, the foreign worker issues and Serco applications, public employment and office holding.

 

Interests

Skiing, Sailing, Politics, Music

 

Recent cases of importance 

 

2016

R v Witt; ex parte Bennett [2016] VSC 142

Contempt of Court by a solicitor

 

2015 

Fortune Group Pty Ltd v Zhang [2015] VSC (part heard)

Fraud by employee, breach of employment and fiduciary duty, misappropriation of substantial sums

Fortune Group Pty Ltd v Richmond Hills, Hendrix and Zhang [2015] VSC (part heard)

Breach of agreement, joint venture, partnership, equitable fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence by solicitor

Talacko v Talacko [2015] VSC 287

Equitable fraud by divestment of foreign assets to defeat judgment creditors, conspiracy to defeat judgment creditors, inducement to breach contract, Czech inheritance law, Hague Convention service, judgment against Defendants who have not entered an appearance

 

2014 

Re Government of South Australia

Legislative scheme for regulation and control of lobbyists and lobbying activities, ministerial conduct, codes of conduct

Talacko v Talacko [2014] VSC 328

Fraud by judgment debtors, legal professional privilege not attach to emails created in furtherance of fraud, section 125 Uniform Evidence Act 2010  

Fortune Group Pty Ltd v Zhang [2015] VSC (decision reserved)

Fraud by employee, breach of employment and fiduciary duty, misappropriation of substantial sums

Fortune Group Pty Ltd v Richmond Hills, Hendrix and Zhang [2015] VSC (decision reserved)

Breach of agreement, joint venture, partnership

 

2013 

Talacko v Talacko [2013] VSC 712

Locus standi of Bankrupt in proceedings in which serious allegations are made against him but no relief is sought, discretion to allow participation and representation

Stuart v Hanna [2013] WASC 453

Leave to Amend, application to strike out rejected, partnership, inducement to breach of contract

Sheridan and Ors v Melbourne Airport (APAM Pty Ltd)

Constitutional law, false imprisonment, assault, imposition of penalties

Fortune and Quan v Ian Zhang and Ors

Freezing Order, misapplication of funds, breach of fiduciary duty, equitable fraud

Napier v Hudson &Co

Solicitor’s negligence

Re Government of South Australia and Internet Games with Gambling content targeting children and young adults

Advise government on scope for legislative intervention

Talacko v Talacko

Costs, gross sum costs order $2.6 million

Paul Murray v Brendan Fevola

Private international law, recognition and enforcement of foreign judgment, Judgment of Circuit Court of Ireland, damages for assault

Futures and Securities Trader v First New York Securities

Breach of Agreement, breach of contract, implied terms of agreement

Talacko v Talacko

Application to strike out claim for want of prosecution dismissed

Re Korda

Solicitor’s negligence

South Australia v New South Wales, Victoria and the Commonwealth of Australia (2011)

Constitutional law, implied limitations on Commonwealth and State legislative power, Riparian law of the sovereign States, control of water resources, rivers and groundwater, the doctrine of implied immunities, River Murray environmental flows

 

2012 

Talacko v Talacko [2012] Federal Court of Australia

Application under section 58 of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 granted to permit creditors to pursue proceedings against the Defendant in the Supreme Court of Victoria and in Europe

Talacko v Talacko Municipal Court of Appeal for the City of Prague

South Australia v New South Wales, Victoria and the Commonwealth of Australia (2011)

Constitutional law, implied limitations on Commonwealth and State legislative power, Riparian law of the sovereign States, control of water resources, rivers and groundwater, the doctrine of implied immunities, River Murray environmental flows

 

2011 

Talacko v Talacko

Application for Special Leave to Appeal

Re Western Australian mining interests (2011)

Partnership, breach of fiduciary duty, laches, value of prospectus of nickel deposits, breach of directors’ duties, breach of employment, termination of employment, redundancy payments

South Australia v New South Wales, Victoria and the Commonwealth of Australia (2011)

Constitutional law, implied limitations on Commonwealth and State legislative power, Riparian law of the sovereign States, control of water resources, rivers and groundwater, the doctrine of implied immunities, River Murray environmental flows

Norton Engineering (2011)

Employment law, restrictive trade covenant, whether valid and enforceable, engineering firm and control of future consultancy work

Re Korda (2011)

Mediation preparatory to claim in Chancery Division, Czech law, claim for forced heirship entitlement, inheritance, private international law, application of Czech Code, English law and Swiss law, substantial assets held in Swiss financial institution, citizenship

Talacko v Talacko [2011] VSCA 71

Court of Appeal, whether terms of settlement contained an unlawful penalty, equitable compensation for breach of fiduciary duty

Manton v Manton (2011)

Estate and succession planning, substantial farming lands, Letter of Intent, breach of fiduciary duty

Gilmore v Leshem (2011)

Breach of Contract for substantial development land in Israel, constructive trust, quantum meruit

 

2010 

Talacko v Talacko [2010] FCA 326

Restraining defendant within the jurisdiction pending order for bankruptcy, application of Czech law

Re Udovicich v the Secretary of State for Justice and the Independent Assessor

Judicial Review of Administrative decisions, denial of natural justice, failure to secure legal representation, irrelevant considerations, failure to consider relevant matters, non est factum, whether incorrect application of s.133 Criminal Justice Act 1988, unreasonable delay in excess of ten years to make assessment of injury, loss and damage,  renewal of application for leave, Administrative Court

Re Online Poker and Gaming provider

Employment law, restrictive covenants, whether status of employment in online gaming companies of sufficient specialisation to warrant additional protection, nature of proprietary information, whether restrictive covenant should go further than protecting commercially valuable information, invalid where purpose is to stifle competition

Re Migration Act (1958) employer sanctions provisions

Inquiry and Review of operation of legislative scheme required by resolution of the parliament, whether employer sanction provisions which were aimed to punish the employment of illegal entrants or illegal non-citizens were effective as either an educative tool or a deterrent.  Review found that neither purpose was achieved, necessary to draft and settle new provisions, comparison with UK, Canadian and US provisions

Re Napier and B&Q PLC (2010)

False imprisonment, assault, battery and conspiracy to injure by unlawful means, OBG v Allan claims, store security officers

Re Waheed (2010)

Agreement for Sale of Goods, Islamic law concerning committee for provision of financial agreement in trade and commerce, principles of haram, misrepresentation

 

2009 

Talacko v Talacko [2009] VSC 444

Writ of ne exeat colonia, injunction to further restrain defendant within the jurisdiction and enforce judgment, freezing injunction, arrest pending enforcement proceeding, contempt

Talacko v Talacko [2009] VSC 349

Freezing injunction pursuant to statutory regime and Mareva relief pursuant to inherent jurisdiction, worldwide assets valued at €30 million in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany, status quo and good arguable case

Talacko v Talacko [2009] VSC 385 and 387

Contempt of Court Defendant seeking to divest himself of foreign assets to avoid judgment

Talacko v Talacko [2009] VSC 579

Indemnity costs and penalty interest granted, principles applicable

Talacko v Talacko [2009] VSC 533

Assessment of equitable compensation for breach of fiduciary duty, principles for assessment and application of robust approach due to misconduct of defendant, refusal of allowance for personal exertion, subject assets valued at €30 million secured by Restitution under the schemes enacted to secure accession to the Union

Talacko Ors v Talacko [2009] VSC 98 (25 March 2009) Equitable Compensation, Property in Czech Republic valued at EU30 million, Appointment of Special Referee, Applications for Stay and Anti-Suit Injunction, Application of Czech Civil Code, Czech Commercial Code, Czech Data Protection Act, European Convention on Human Rights, European Privacy Law.

Re Percy Island [2009]

Claims concerning ownership of pastoral lease to substantial Island on North East coast of Australia. Natural Resources Management and Environment legislation

Re South Australia v Victoria [2009]

Constitutional challenge to legislation regulating the Murray-Darling River Basin, Restraint of Trade, Riparian rights applicable to States, Natural Resources and Water law.

 

2008

Talacko Ors v Talacko [2008] VSCA 229 (21 November 2008)

Equitable Compensation, Costs, Appeal

Talacko Ors v Talacko [2008] VSC 246 (27 June 2008)

Application for Permanent Stay based on the existence of foreign proceedings, as an abusive process, Conflict of laws anti-suit injunction, undertakings

Talacko Ors v Talacko [2008] VSC 128 (24 April 2008)

Breach of Court sanctioned terms of settlement, Dispute concerning ownership of real property in Czech Republic, Germany and Slovakia, Reinstatement of proceedings for enforcement of settlement, construction of terms and repudiation, Breach of Fiduciary duty, Equitable compensation

The Alexandros T [2008] Shipping, total casualty, insurance claims, Indemnification by P&I club, Conspiracy causing loss by unlawful means

Re Jupiters Casino [2008]

Gaming Law, breach of regulation, Licensing, Public Interest and harm prevention

 

2007

The Alexandros T [2007]

Shipping, total casualty, insurance claims, Indemnification by P&I club, Conspiracy causing loss by unlawful means.

 

2006

Gunns Ltd v Marr (No.2) [2006] VSC 329 (28 August 2006)

Civil Protest, Conspiracy, Causing loss by unlawful means, OBG v Allan claims

 

2005 

Gunns Ltd v Marr [2005] VSC 251 (18 July 2005)

Civil Protest, Conspiracy, Causing loss by unlawful means, OBG v Allan claims

Amcor Ltd v CFMEU [2005] HCA 10, (2005) 222 CLR 241

Industrial law, Certified agreement, Corporate demerger, Business transferred to subsidiary and employees immediately re-employed on same terms and conditions, Change in identity of employer though no change in duties of employees, Whether positions in a business had become redundant and employees had been retrenched, Whether employees entitled to redundancy payments under the agreement, Relevance of termination and succession provisions

 

2004 

McFadzean v Calvert (No.2) [2004] VSC 480 (25 November 2004)

Costs, Claim and Counterclaim, Offers of compromise, Acceptance of offer of compromise on Counterclaim, Costs consequences, Provision for set-off as between damages and costs

McFadzean v Calvert [2004] VSC 289 (19 August 2004)

Torts, Conspiracy, False imprisonment, availability of means of egress, Intentional infliction of harm, Measure of ordinary compensatory damages, Whether aggravated compensatory damages or exemplary damages should be awarded, Public nuisance, whether obstruction to passage of vehicles or pedestrians, Assault and battery

Electrolux Home Products v AWU [2004] HCA 20, (2204) 221 CLR 309

Industrial and Employment law, Industrial action in support of claims in respect of proposed collective agreement, Judicial Review, Statutes, Presumption against abrogation of common law rights, Presumption against depriving persons of access to courts, Scope of interpretative presumptions

 

2003 

Burgess Ors v Mount Thorley Operations [2003]; NSWIRComm 432 (12 December 2003)

Industrial and Employment law, Redundancy, Damages

Queensland Department of Health v Mater Misericordiae Health Services Brisbane Limited – PR931289 [2003] AIRC 518 (16 May 2003)

Industrial and employment, Enterprise bargaining, Collective Agreement, Awards

Amcor v CFMEU [2003] FCAFC 57 (28 March 2003)

Certified Agreement, Transfer of employees’ employment by restructure, whether award applied

 

2002 

ANF v Tasmania [2002] FCA 1573 (18 December 2002)

Application for a penalty under industrial and employment legislation, Collective Agreement

AMEU v Electrolux Home Products [2002] FCAFC 199 (21 June 2002)

Industrial action, whether particular industrial action was “protected action” under industrial legislation

Linett v AEU [2002] FCAFC 30; [2002] FCA 157 (15 March 2002)

Application for registration of organisation, Registration refused by Industrial Tribunal, Application for Prerogative Relief against Industrial Tribunal, whether tribunal erred in law, whether error was jurisdictional, Error within jurisdiction or error permitting Judicial Review

 

2001

Electrolux Home Products v AWU [2001] FCA 1840 (20 December 2001)

Industrial Action, Appropriate declaratory relief, Judicial Review

Electrolux Home Products v AWU [2001] FCA 1600 (14 November 2001)

Whether industrial action to support or advance claims in respect of a proposed certified agreement was protected action, whether claims against an employer to protect and secure employee entitlements, whether bargaining agent’s fee payable by non-union members, are claims pertaining to the relationship of the employer and its employees

Thomas v Hanson [2001] FCA 539 (9 May 2001)

Confidential nature of membership records, Right to inspect and make copies of records or to remove original records without Secretary’s written consent, Unincorporated Associations

CFMEU v AIRC [2001] HCA 16, (2001) 230 CLR 645 (15 March 2001)

Judicial Review, Review of decision of Industrial Tribunal, Collective Agreement, Validity of Award, Statutory entitlement to costs

 

1999 

Adlam v Noack [1999] FCA 1230 (8 September 1999)

Civil Contempt, Breach of Court Order, Burden of Proof in Civil Contempt Proceeding

CPSU v Crown, in Right of Victoria [1999] FCA 744 (7 June 1999) Industrial and Employment law, interlocutory relief, Judicial Review

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