Admitted to practice 1979; QC 1996
Robert John (Dick) Whitington has appeared as counsel in the Federal Court, the Supreme Courts of South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, the Family Court and the High Court, in a wide variety of jurisdictions and areas, principally in commercial litigation, and including appellate work. He practised as a barrister and solicitor from 1979 to 1985, and as a barrister on a part-time basis from 1985 to 1987.
Dick joined Hanson Chambers in 1988. In 1990 he was appointed as an investigator into the affairs of Bond Corporation Holdings Ltd and associated companies, and in 1996 he was appointed Queen's Counsel.
Dick holds the degrees of Bachelor of Laws (1972), Bachelor of Economics (1977) and Master of Laws (1978) from the University of Adelaide. Between 1972 and 1976 he was a tutor at the University of Adelaide, principally in Constitutional Law.
professional memberships
- South Australian Bar Association — President (2006-2008); Member of Council (2004-2013); Professional Development Committee (Chair) (2010-present); Convener of Annual Conference (2010-2012)
- Australian Bar Association — Member of Council (2006-2008)
- Companies and Securities Advisory Committee — Legal Subcommittee (1997-2000)
- Art Gallery of South Australia — Director (2010-present)
- University of Adelaide Law School Advisory Committee
PRACTICE AREAS
Commercial
- Appellate
- Banking
- Bankruptcy
- Building and Construction
- Competition
- Consumer Protection Law
- Contractual Disputes
- Corporate Insolvency
- Corporations
- Equity
- Insurance
- Intellectual Property
- Partnership Disputes
- Professional Liability
- Real Property
- Restraint of Trade
- Securities and Investments
Common Law
- Appellate
- Conflict of Laws / Choice of Law
- Defamation
- Insurance — Disability Claims
- Intentional Torts
- Motor Accident Claims
- Negligence
- Professional Negligence
- Work Injury Damages
Employment and Industrial Law
- Appellate
- Discrimination
- Employment Contracts and Restraint of Trade
Equity
- Appellate
- Real Property
- Succession
- Trusts
Family Law
- Appellate
- Parenting Orders
- Property
Public Law
- Appellate
- Civil and Human Rights
- Compulsory Acquisition of Land
- Constitutional Law
- Disciplinary Proceedings
- Discrimination
- Judicial Review and Administrative Law
- Mining
- Native Title
Taxation and Revenue
- Land Tax
- Payroll Tax
- Stamp Duty and other State Taxes
- Valuation of Land — Rating and Taxing Appeals
Appellate
- Commercial
- Common Law
- Employment and Industrial Law
- Equity
- Family Law
- Public Law