Nicholas Briggs Special Counsel

Nicholas specialises in large and complex Federal and Supreme Court litigation with a particular emphasis on representative proceedings (class actions), regulatory actions, and general commercial litigation across a range of industries and legal issues.  

Most recently, Nicholas has acted in proceedings commenced against Timor-Leste  in the Supreme Court of Victoria, in defence of an ASX-listed entity alleging the underpayment of its workforce millions and for the ACCC in prosecution proceedings which have run to a final hearing and a successful outcome.  

Nicholas graduated from the University of Technology, Sydney in 2012 with a Juris Doctor. He was awarded the Allens Aurther Robinson Award for receiving the top grade in his year in Commercial Law. Nicholas also has a Bachelor in Arts/Media and Communications form the University of New South Wales.

Experience

General

Lighthouse Corporation, IBC & Anor v. Timor-Leste & Anor

Acting for the Plaintiffs in proceedings brought in the Supreme Court of Victoria against Timor-Leste. The dispute relates to an agreement for Lighthouse to supply diesel fuel and emergency power generators to Timor-Leste over a seven year period.

Bradshaw & Anor v. BSA

Acting for ASX-listed BSA Limited in class action proceedings commenced in the Federal Court of Australia in respect of alleged employment claims brought on behalf of thousands of technicians engaged by BSA as independent contractors.

ACCC v. Ramsay Health Limited

Acted for ASX-listed Ramsay Health Limited in the successful defence of prosecution proceedings brought in the Federal Court of Australia by the ACCC against Ramsay for alleged abuses of market power. Ran to a six week hearing with judgment in favour of Ramsay.

Mastoris & Anor v. Dick Smith & Ors

Acted for the Plaintiffs in a shareholder class action commenced in the Supreme Court of New South Wales against Dick Smith and two of its directors in respect of, among other things, allegedly misleading accounting practices which caused the inflation of Dick Smith’s share price.

Challenger Investments Limited v. Mirvac Limited & Ors

Acted for ASX-listed Challenger Investments Limited as plaintiff in proceedings brought in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in relation to the allegedly defective construction of an industrial warehouse.

Petersen Superannuation Fund Pty Limited v. DDH Graham Limited (DDH) & Anor

Acted for financial management firm in defence of a class action in the Federal Court of Australia arising from a large-scale fraud perpetuated by broker and financial adviser Sherwin Financial Planning Pty Limited.

ACCC v. Productivity Partners Pty Ltd (t/as Captain Cook College)

Acted for the ACCC in a prosecution proceedings brought in the Federal Court of Australia against private vocational college Captain Cook College, its parent company ASX-listed Site Group Limited, and two individuals for alleged unconscionable conduct arising from the college’s enrolment practices. Ran to a four-week hearing in June 2020, and the parties are awaiting judgment.

Career & qualifications

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor, University of Technology Sydney
  • Bachelor of Arts & Media and Communications, University of New South Wales

Memberships

  • Law Society of New South Wales
  • Law Society of South Australia

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