CLE Seminar: Australian Consumer Law

PRESENTERS:

Claire Latham – Barrister, 11 St James Hall, Sydney

Topic: The Trade Practices Act and the Australian Consumer Law: Where are they now and what’s changed?

Claire practices primarily in civil litigation with a particular focus on commercial disputes including trade practices, insolvency, construction, corporations and financial services disputes. She has an interest in the new Australian Consumer Law, which replaces the Trade Practices Act, and her presentation will give a general overview of the new legislation then focus on new concepts introduced by the Australian Consumer Law, being consumer guarantees and unfair contract terms. Claire’s presentation will discuss how these new concepts operate and identify issues practitioners should be aware of when acting for consumers, suppliers or manufacturers of goods”.

Debra Corrigan   Acting Community Liaison Coordinator Hunter, NSW Fair Trading

Topic: NSW Fair Trading's role in dispute resolution for consumers , enforcement and compliance

Debra has been employed with NSW Fair Trading for over 5 years. She has a wide range of experience within the department including compliance and enforcement, strata specialist and formal mediation, as well as complaint resolution.

David Charles   CTTT Full Time Member

Topic: CTTT and the application of the Australian Consumer law to the Tribunal's jurisdiction

Until his appointment to the Consumer Trader and Tenancy Tribunal on 9 January 2012, David was in private practice from 1981. He graduated from the University of Sydney with Bachelor of Arts and Law degrees and completed a Master of Laws degree in 1987 also from the University of Sydney. Prior to being called to the Bar in 1991, David worked as a solicitor with Allen Allen & Hemsley and as a Senior Associate with Clayton Utz. As a barrister, David has advised and appeared in a range of commercial law and equity cases in courts and tribunals exercising state and commonwealth jurisdiction, with particular expertise in building and construction disputes and property law including trusts and succession.