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Experience

Hayley has a broad practice in insurance, administrative and common law matters, with a specialty and significant experience in health and medical law.

Before coming to the Bar, Hayley spent more than a decade working for and with insurers across a range of areas, including aviation, maritime, life and disability insurance, public liability and professional indemnity. She has an extensive and intimate knowledge as to the workings of insurers and the unique challenges insurance litigation entails.

Most recently, Hayley was a Senior Associate at Australia’s largest medical defence organisation. She had carriage of a vast range of matters, acting on behalf of doctors and health practitioners across civil claims, regulatory investigations, coronial inquests and commercial disputes. Through this work, she developed a subspeciality in plastic & reconstructive surgery matters, bariatric claims and the regulation of cosmetic medicine.

Since coming to the Bar, Hayley has maintained a busy injuries, insurance and administrative practice, appearing in all Victorian and Tasmanian Courts. She acts for both plaintiffs and defendants across the common law landscape, with a core practice in medical negligence and judicial reviews of Medical Panel determinations. She regularly provides advice as to indemnity, coverage and policy interpretation. Hayley is frequently briefed to advise on procedural issues and appear in interlocutory applications.

Hayley holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from Monash University.

In addition to her background in insurance litigation, Hayley has a particular interest in sports law, healthcare regulation and bioethics.

Hayley read with Ben Jellis SC and her Senior Mentor is Dr Michael Rush KC.

Her recent cases include:

• Briffa v Austin Health (damages trial by jury, (led by Paul Lamb)
• Monash Health v Carina & Ors [2024] VSC 486 (led by Matthew Hooper SC)
• Rosata v Citywide Service Solutions Pty Ltd & Anor [2024] HCASL 106 (led by Philip Solomon KC and Ben Jellis) (special leave refused);
• Jury trial of Petrovski v ISS Security Pty Ltd & Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Limited (led by Roslyn Kaye KC);
• Wilks v Psychology Board of Australia [2024] VSC 002 (led by Matthew Hooper);
• Marsh v Medical Board of Australia (Review and Regulation) [2023] VCAT 1320 (led by Paul Hayes KC).

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.