Doug came to the bar in 2001 and has practised predominantly in family law since, having read with Dan Sweeney.  He also practises in the associated areas such as internvention orders, guardianship and de facto property.  
Recent cases of note inlcude: 
June 2014 – obtaining indemnity costs in the amount of $105,000 for a financial agreement case following detailed written submissions. April 2014 – Acting for a mother where the family report recommended that the child live with the non-biological ‘father’ and that the mother have limited but increasing time over the next 3 years. Securing a change in the report writer’s view to the child living with the mother and no time for the ‘father’. March 2014 – Making submissions against the recommendations of an 11F reporter that succeeded in getting the time for my client (the husband) increased from 4 nights per fortnight to 7 nights per fortnight. February 2014 – Acting for a mother challenging a family report that recommended the 3 children live with their father and limited time with mother. The report writer’s recommendation was changed to the child living with the mother and spending time with the father following his aggressive responses to the thorough cross-examination. 2013 – Written submissions were made after a 5 day trial arguing for indemnity costs owing to the conduct of the husband before during and after the trial. Despite the trial FM suggesting that indemnity costs were most unlikely, following the submissions, indemnity costs were ordered in the amount of $165,000.
Doug is happy to provide advice and can be contacted through Paul Holmes’ office.