Dr Christos Mantziaris
Level 6
169 Phillip Street
Sydney NSW 2000
PRACTICE AREAS
Administrative Law
Commercial & Contracts
Corporations
Charities Law
Environment Law
Government Law
Inquests & Inquiries
Native Title
Occupational Licensing
Private International Law
Public Law
Real Property
Trusts
Wills & Estate
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Arts (Honours, Medal) (University of Sydney)
Bachelor of Laws (University of New South Wales)
Doctor of Philosophy (Law) (Australian National University)
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Advanced Certificate in Trusts Disputes (2013)
Certificate of Accreditation in Mediation (Australian Disputes Centre, Sydney) 2019
NSW Bar Association approved Mediator (Bar ADR) 2023
Called to the Bar: 2004
Admitted to Practice: 1996
Called to the Bar: 2004
Admitted to Practice: 1996
Level 6
169 Phillip Street
Sydney NSW 2000
PRACTICE AREAS
Administrative Law
Commercial & Contracts
Corporations
Charities Law
Environment Law
Government Law
Inquests & Inquiries
Native Title
Occupational Licensing
Private International Law
Public Law
Real Property
Trusts
Wills & Estate
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Arts (Honours, Medal) (University of Sydney)
Bachelor of Laws (University of New South Wales)
Doctor of Philosophy (Law) (Australian National University)
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Advanced Certificate in Trusts Disputes (2013)
Certificate of Accreditation in Mediation (Australian Disputes Centre, Sydney) 2019
NSW Bar Association approved Mediator (Bar ADR) 2023
ABOUT
Christos was admitted as a solicitor in 1996 and as a barrister in 2004. Before coming to the Bar, he worked as a solicitor at Blake Dawson Waldron (now Ashurst) and taught company law, trusts and equity at the Australian National University.
Christos accepts briefs in a wide range of equity/commercial and public law matters for individual, corporate and institutional clients.
Christos is valued by solicitors for his analytical skills, his commercial, common sense approach to dispute resolution, and his ability to communicate effectively with clients and the Bench.
APPOINTMENTS
Counsel Assisting Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Inquiry into Police Superintendent Promotions (2019)
Appointments as reporter to the Minister under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Cth) (2011 and 2019). Most recently, in respect of an application for the protection of Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Surrounds as a place of Aboriginal significance (alleged colonial frontier massacre site on a coal mine).
Appointed by the Department of Trade and Investment (NSW) to conduct an inquiry into tender processes for Crown land (2016)
Convenor, Australian Association of Constitutional Law, NSW Branch (2009–2016)
PUBLICATIONS
Private law — articles and chapters
1. Mantziaris, ‘The Member’s Right to Inspect the Company Books: Corporations Act, s 247A’ (2009) 83 Australian Law Journal 621. Cited in Smartec Capital Pty Ltd v Centro Properties Ltd & Anor [2011] NSWSC 495; (2011) 83 ACSR 461, [66]–[67] (Barrett J); Snelgrove v Great Southern Managers Australia Ltd (In Liq) (Receiver and Manager Appointed) [2010] WASC 51, [66] (Le Miere J); Mesa Minerals Ltd v Mighty River International Ltd [2016] FCAFC 16, [22]–[24] (Siopis, Gilmour & Katzmann JJ); In The Matter of Tolco Pty Limited [2016] NSWSC 1069, [17]-[18] (Brereton J); Coates v Classic Minerals Ltd [2016] WASC 371, [42].
2. Mantziaris, ‘Resulting Trusts’ in Trusts Law Australia: Principles and Practice, J Armitage & A Emmett (eds) (Butterworths, looseleaf), vol 1, ch 4.
Public law — articles and chapters
3. Mantziaris, ‘The Executive — A common law understanding of legal form and responsibility’ in RS French, G Lindell and C Saunders, Reflections on the Australian Constitution (Federation Press, 2003), ch 9. Cited in Williams v Commonwealth of Australia [2012] HCA 23; (2012) 288 ALR 410, [61] (French CJ).
4. Mantziaris, ‘A “Wrong Turn” on the Public/Private Distinction: Neat Domestic Trading Pty Ltd v AWB Ltd’ (2003) 14 Public Law Review 197. Cited in Griffith University v Tang [2005] HCA 7; (2005) 221 CLR 99, [100] (Kirby J).
5. Mantziaris, ‘Client legal privilege in administrative ‘proceedings’ — Killing–off the adversarial/ inquisitorial distinction’: (2008) 82 Australian Law Journal 397. Cited in Rodsted & Repatriation Commission [2009] AATA 658; (2009) 113 ALD 125, [133].
6. Mantziaris, ‘Commonwealth judicial power for interim control orders — The Chapter III questions not answered’ (2008) 10 Constitutional Law and Policy Review 65.
7. Mantziaris and L McDonald, ‘Federal judicial review jurisdiction after Griffith University v Tang’ (2006) 17 Public Law Review 22.
8. Mantziaris, ‘When Government “carries on a business”/ Derivative Crown immunity: NT Power Generation Pty Ltd v Power & Water Authority’ (2004) 210 ALR 312; [2004] HCA 48’ (2005) 16 Public Law Review 5.
9. Mantziaris, ‘The Federal Division of Public Interest Suits by an Attorney–General’ (2004) 25 Adelaide Law Review 211.
10. Mantziaris, ‘The event corporation within the system of responsible government — Why SOCOG is constitutionally unhealthy’ (2000) 11 Public Law Review 39.
11. Mantziaris, ‘Ministerial directions to statutory corporations: What does a theory of responsible government deliver?’ (1998) 26 Federal Law Review 309.
Indigenous legal issues
12. Mantziaris and D Martin, Native Title Corporations — A legal and anthropological analysis (Federation Press, Sydney, 2000; 400pp) ISBN 1862873720. Cited in Sampi v State of Western Australia [2005] FCA 777, [948] (French J); Gumana v Northern Territory [2005] FCA 50; (2005) 141 FCR 457, [134]–[141] (Selway J); Stevens v Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC [2016] FCA 149, [54]–[55], [60]–[61] (Barker J).
13. Mantziaris and D Martin, Guide to the Design of Native Title Corporations (National Native Title Tribunal, 1999) ISBN 0642421862. (A plain English version of no 12 above).
14. Mantziaris, ‘The dual view theory of the corporation and the aboriginal corporation’ (1999) 27 Federal Law Review 283.
15. Mantziaris, ‘Beyond the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act? Part I’ (1997) 4(5) Indigenous Law Bulletin 10–14 and 4(6) pp, 7-13, 16.
Legal theory, legal history, political science
16. R Grundmann and C Mantziaris, ‘Fundamentalist Intolerance or Civil Disobedience? Strange Loops in Liberal Theory’ (1991) 19 Political Theory 572.
17. C Mantziaris, ‘Book Review: Bruce Kercher, Debt, Seduction & Other Disasters: The Birth of Civil Law in Convict New South Wales’ (1998) 4 Australian Journal of Legal History 93–102.
18. C Mantziaris, ‘When the Minister Leans on the Board: The Forced Resignation of the Managing Director of Australia’s Overseas Telecommunications Commission’ (1997) 19 Asian Journal of Public Administration 157.
Other papers
Details of other pre–2000 publications can be provided on request.
Since 2003, Dr Mantziaris has presented papers regularly at professional seminars and conferences, for example: at Legalwise Seminars, the State Legal Conference, the Commercial Lawyers Association, the NSW Bar Association, and the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law Constitutional Law Conference.
SELECT CASES
Trusts law
Northern NSW Helicopter Rescue Service Limited v Attorney General of New South Wales [2023] NSWSC 515 (Significant cy–près extension of the permissible operations of the Service).
Grain Technology Ltd & ors v Rosewood Pty Ltd & ors and associated proceedings, eg Re Rosewood Research Pty Limited (no 3) [2023] NSWSC 238 and associated proceedings since 2012 (Contested cy– près scheme for control of the Bread Research Institute’s real estate and intellectual property assets).
Allen Ralph Robinson as Trustee for the Trust Fund of the Fairfax Fellowships at Balliol College v Attorney–General of New South Wales [2022] NSWSC 996 (Termination of trust and transfer of assets to trust in England).
Wright v Stephens [2018] NSWSC 548 (Beneficiaries’ right to access documents of a discretionary private trust for persons of a locality).
Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust v The Attorney General of New South Wales [2018] NSWSC 1666 (Administrative scheme for bequest).
Lever v Attorney General of New South Wales [2018] NSWSC 838 (Validity of gift to foreign charity, conflict of laws).
Ubiparipovic v v Vucicevic [2018] NSWSC 1583 (Settlement of a scheme for division of a religious group’s assets)
The Trust Company (Australia) Limited As Trustee of the Kyle Williams Home Trust v Attorney-General of New South Wales (No 2) [2012] NSWSC 1505 (Cy–près administration of welfare institution).
Laycock v Registrar-General (NSW) [2012] NSWSC 248; (2012) 16 BPR 30,367; Laycock v Registrar-General (NSW) (No 2) [2012] NSWSC 249 (Disputed trusteeship of community asset).
Chartered Secretaries Australia Ltd v Attorney General of New South Wales [2011] NSWSC 1274 (succession of entities and historical change of functions).
Tantau v Macfarlane [2010] NSWSC 224 (Disclaimer of gift of EP Fox works to National Gallery Victoria).
Cunliffe and Ors v the Attorney General In and for the State of New South Wales [2009] NSWSC 1450 and Elizabeth Anne Dodds & Ors v Attorney General (NSW) (NSWSC, unreported, Windeyer J, 9 October 2007) (Alterations of trust over St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst for property redevelopments).
Armidale Dumaresq Council v Attorney General [2007] NSWSC 557; University of New England v Attorney General of New South Wales and Ors [2009] NSWSC 1020 (scheme for the New England Regional Art Gallery and Museum).
Perpetual Trustee Company Limited v the Attorney General of NSW [2007] NSWSC 1339 (Charitable bequest to institution that had ceased to exist).
Re Elizabeth [2007] NSWSC 729 (Ambit of Supreme Court’s parens patriae protective jurisdiction).
Corporate and commercial law
Murdoch v Mudgee Dolomite & Lime Pty Ltd (in liq) [2022] NSWCA 12 and associated prior litigation (Led by JC Kelly SC and HK Insall SC) (fiduciary obligations, scope of duty, account of profits, other equitable remedies).
Horn v GA & RG Horn Pty Ltd [2022] NSWSC 1519 (farm estoppel claim involving intergenerational corporate holdings.)
Ample Source International Ltd v Bonython Metals Group Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 8) [2018] FCA 1614 (judicial advice for conduct of litigation – rule in Cherry v Boultbee).
Wentworth Metals Group Pty Ltd v Leigh and Owen [2013] FCA 349; (2013) 93 ACSR 626 (Sale of interest in mining exploration licence, led by IM Jackman SC).
Australian Institute of Workplace Learning v Willowgrove (NSWDC, 2 August 2012, Curtis J, no 2009/334325)
(Complex accounting dispute over sale of teaching college business).
Sandalciyan v International Development & Construction Pty Ltd Share [2010] FCA 1145; (2010) 80 ACSR 31
(Contested liquidation application to a property development company).
Seven Network News Ltd v News Ltd [2007] FCA 1062 and interlocutory applications thereto (‘The C7 litigation’ — Complex pay TV competition dispute. (Appearing for News Ltd, led by NC Hutley SC & PR Whitford SC).
The James Hardie Inquiry — Special Commission of Inquiry into the Medical Research and Compensation Foundation (DF Jackson QC, 2005) (Appearing for James Hardie, led by AJ Meagher SC).
Bateman v Newhaven Park Stud Ltd [2004] NSWSC 392; (2004) 49 ACSR 454 (Defending company in an oppression suit relating to a share buy–back scheme, led by RJ Weber SC).
Rothschild & Sons (Australia) Ltd v St Paul International Insurance Co Ltd [2004] NSWSC 359; (2004) 13 ANZ Ins Case 61-602 (Appearing for Rothschild for declaration of insurance cover, led by PJ Brereton).
Public law
Operation Fiera, counsel assisting the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (2019) (Hearing and confidential report into allegations of improper conduct by a senior NSWPF officer in a promotions process; examinations).
Joseph v NSW Commissioner of Police [2017] NSWCA 31 (firearm dealer’s licence application).
Jenkins v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) [2013] NSWCA 406 (prerogative relief application arising from a jury irregularity, led by N Adams SC).
Commissioner of Police (NSW) v Roy [2013] NSWADTAP 6 (disclosure of speed camera policy under FOI legislation).
Doyle v Hall Chadwick [2012] NSWCA 175 (Defending costs assessors in multiple appeals and judicial review proceedings).
Lim v State Parole Authority of New South Wales [2010] NSWSC 93; (2010) 76 NSWLR 452 (Judicial review of parole decision of person convicted of Dr Victor Chang’s murder, led by L Babb SC).
Majzoub v Kepreotis [2009] NSWSC 314 (Defending a search warrant in the first case under new NSW police powers legislation, led by L Babb SC).
SZLPO v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (no 2) [2009] FCAFC 51; (2009) 177 FCR 1; [2009] FCAFC 60; (2009) 255 ALR 435 (Challenge to departmental use of embassy sourced information).
SZAJB v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2008] FCAFC 75; (2008) 168 FCR 410 (Constitutional challenge to limitation periods for commencement of proceedings in lower federal courts).
Tervonen v Minister for Home Affairs (No 2) [2008] FCA 872 (Challenge to an extradition notice).
Guiseppe v Registrar of Aboriginal Corporations [2007] FCAFC 91; (2007) 160 FCR 465 (Challenge to dismissal of Mutitjulu Aboriginal Corporation board at minister’s behest, led by N Perram SC).
Powercoal Pty Ltd v Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales (2005) 64 NSWLR 406; [2005] NSWCA 345 (Appearing for the Attorney General (NSW), intervening on issues relating to judicial power, led by MJ Leeming).
Environmental law and Aboriginal land rights
Roads & Maritime Services v Rockdale City Council & Ors [2015] NSWSC 1844 (Enforcement of trust obligation to make land available at no cost for construction of WestConnex freeway).
Rothwell Boys Pty Ltd v Coffs Harbour Council [2012] NSWLEC 1152 (Riparian protection legislation in environmental assessments).
Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council v Minister Administering the Crown Lands Act (‘O’Haras Creek Claim’) [2012] NSWLEC 68 (NSW land rights. Whether land required for public recreation, nature conservation, urban fringe park and open space).
Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Minister Administering the Crown Lands Act (no 30293 of 2010, NSWLEC, 9 Nov 2012, Moore AJ & Cmnr McAvoy) (Conditional grant of land claim involving a novel public positive covenant for carbon and bio–credit farming).
Minister Administering the Crown Lands Act v Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council [2009] NSWCA 289; (2009) 168 LGERA 71; [2011] NSWCA 127; (2011) 182 LGERA 133 (Whether land required for national park, coal mining. Four separate cases, argued alone or led by CE Adamson SC and JK Kirk SC).
NSW Aboriginal Land Council v Minister Administering the Crown Lands Act [2007] NSWLEC 481 (‘Evans Head claim’). (Whether land required for national park, led by MJ Leeming).
Succession and occupational licensing
Christos has appeared in a range of NSWSC succession cases and NCAT/NCATAP occupational licensing cases.