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Alison Stenmark SC

2017, Accreditation, Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM)

2008, Mediator’s Course, Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators (IAMA)

1976, Bachelor of Laws (Sydney)

Called to the bar 1985

Appointed Senior Counsel 2002

Alison is a highly regarded Senior Counsel with a broad practice across both civil and criminal jurisdictions. In addition to her litigation practice, Alison acts as both arbitrator and mediator, also appearing as counsel in complicated arbitrations and mediations in a wide variety of matters, particularly in family law disputes.

Her practice sees her appearing in both interstate and intrastate matters across a diverse range of jurisdictions. Alison’s civil practice has encompassed disputes involving lengthy and complex issues of law and fact in tort, contract, commerce and family law. She has acted for private clients in New South Wales and Victoria, Government Departments in New South Wales, liquidators and has been briefed on behalf of LawCover. She has also appeared before the Medical Tribunal and has acted for plaintiffs in professional negligence (medical and legal) cases. Her expertise has also extended to acting in resumption/valuation cases against the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA).

Alison has appeared as both defence counsel and as prosecutor in many criminal matters, including serious sexual assaults, social security fraud, embezzlement, receiving, false pretences, drug importation and use, conspiracy, culpable driving and many cases concerning summary offences. She has also acted for the Department of Community Services in child sexual abuse cases and the Department of Fair Trading in cases relating to false and misleading conduct in trade and commerce.

Alison holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney. She has also completed the IAMA Mediation Course and is an accredited mediator with the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM).

Practice Areas

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Criminal Law

Family Law

Inquests and Commissions of Inquiry

Mediation

Medical Negligence

Professional Negligence

Admissions

2002, Appointed Senior Counsel

1985, Called to the NSW Bar

1977, Admitted as a solicitor of the NSW Supreme Court

Selected Cases

Senior Counsel leading a team for members of the Stolen Generation against the State of New South Wales

Appeared with Jackson QC in the High Court of Australia in A v State of New South Wales, still the leading Australian case on malicious prosecution and unlawful arrest

Slattery Royal Commission into the Chelmsford Private Hospital – Alison appeared as junior counsel for the licensee and the owners of the real estate on which the hospital was situated

Gyles Royal Commission into the Building Industry

Wood Royal Commission into the NSW Police Service for the Police Service

The Special Commission of Inquiry into the Medical Research and Compensation Foundation (Jackson Inquiry)

Inquest into the Death of Peter Dalamangas – Alison acted for Star City Casino

Acting for the police service as Junior and Senior Counsel in Police Integrity Commission (PIC) and in other civil cases

Various Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Inquiries

Briefed by the Crown as Senior Counsel in complex matters concerning serious sexual offenders and furnished advice and appeared when necessary, in relation to applications opposing release or imposing conditions upon release

Acted for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) prosecuting drug importation matters

Advised and appeared in employment/contract matters, one of which resulted in a Special Leave Application in the High Court of Australia

Appeared in common law matters including personal injuries claims, professional negligence claims and claims under insurance policies

Appeared in complex commercial matters (oppression suits and joint venture agreements) in the Family Court of Australia. These have been heard in the Family Court by virtue of its accrued jurisdiction

Appears in complex family law property matters

Mediated (as mediator) across a broad range of areas including family law, estate matters and commercial disputes