Dougal is a litigator specialising in complex commercial disputes.
He has extensive experience practising in both state and federal jurisdictions, covering areas including competition and consumer issues, directors' liability, professional negligence, insolvency, employment, and debt recovery.
In addition to numerous high profile commercial disputes, Dougal has acted for individual, corporate and regulator clients on major investigations and penalty proceedings, liquidator examinations, ICAC Inquiries, and large-scale class action proceedings.
Dougal’s experience and expertise extends to the strategy, management and organisation required for long running, “big” litigation, as well as the high pressure demands of urgent injunction proceedings.
Work highlights
Qantas Airways
High profile ACCC penalty proceedings concerning alleged misleading conduct in relation to the sale of tickets on flights which Qantas had decided to cancel.
Mastercard
For ACCC in significant penalty proceedings against Mastercard for alleged misuse of market power in respect of fees charged for card acceptance services.
Ramsay Health Care
Defending significant ACCC penalty proceedings regarding alleged misuse of market power and exclusive dealing in relation to its Coffs Harbour private hospital.
Seven Network
Successfully defending the Seven Network in Supreme Court proceedings brought by the Ten Network in relation to the employment of a senior programming executive and acted in the high-profile Supreme Court proceedings successfully restraining a former Seven employee acting in breach of her confidentiality obligations.
Vasco Trustees and D H Flinders
Defending class action proceedings commenced by Slater + Gordon on behalf of investors in the failed $80 million IPO Wealth Fund.
Australian Labor Party (NSW Branch)
Major ICAC Operation Aero Public Inquiry, concerning a cash donation arising from a Chinese community fundraising dinner.