Barrister

Rolf Sorensen

B. A., LL. B., LL. M.
Admitted
1993
Bar
2005

Biography

Since signing the Bar Roll, Rolf’s practice has focused particularly on discrimination and equal opportunity, professional disciplinary hearings and occupational licensing and regulatory offences.

Details

Admission
11 August 1993
Signed Bar Roll
10 November 2005
Chambers
Floor 2, Room 14
Douglas Menzies Chambers
180 William Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Admitted to Practice
Victoria

To discuss the availability, suitability and fees of this barrister, please contact Chris Chapman.

Chris Chapman
Chris Chapman
Principal Barristers' Clerk

Details

Admission
11 August 1993
Signed Bar Roll
10 November 2005
Chambers
Floor 2, Room 14
Douglas Menzies Chambers
180 William Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Admitted to Practice
Victoria

He also practices in industrial law and administrative law more generally as well as appearing in a range of commercial and criminal matters.

Rolf is a reporter for the Victorian Reports and has written Head-Notes for cases involving wide-ranging areas of law, including Statutory Interpretation, Human Rights, Negligence (Workplace, Professional, Etc), Occupational Health&Safety, Accident Compensation, Contractual Interpretation, Estoppel, Rescission, Restitution, Trade Practices, Settlement Agreements, Civil Procedure, Trusts and Corporations.

See for example the Head-Notes to: Fenelon v Dove (2010) 28 VR 619; Farnell v Penhalluriack (2010) 29 VR 727; Antunovic v Dawson (2010) 30 VR 355; Ballard v Attorney-General (2010) 30 VR 413; McWhinney v Melbourne Health (2011) 31 VR 285; Talacko v Talacko (2011) 31 VR 340; Peet Limited v Richmond (2011) 33 VR 465; Body Bronze International v Fehcorp (2011) 34 VR 536; Ottedin Investments v Portbury Developments (2011) 35 VR 1, Retirement Services Australia v 3143 Victoria Street Doncaster(2012) 37 VR 486, Hudspeth v Scholastic Cleaning & Consultancy Services (2014) 42 VR 236, Rosa v Galbally&O’Bryan (2013) 42 VR 382, Willett v Victoria (2013) 42 VR 571, Brown v Maurice Blackburn Cashman (2013) 45 VR 22, A Woodley Osteopathic Services v Transport Accident Commission (2013) 46 VR 28, Marriner v Australian Super Developments (2012) 46 VR 213, Victoria Police Toll Enforcement v Taha, Victoria v Brookes (2013) 49 VR 1 and Director Of Public Prosecutions v Vibro -Pile and Frankipile (2016) 49 VR 676

Rolf’s experience with non-governmental organisations has included design and implementation of processes of: due diligence with respect to publishing and marketing by cultural organizations and compliance with legal obligations regarding privacy, copyright, defamation, etc.

He has also assumed responsibility for other issues regarding organizational governance, including contracts, property, labour law, occupational health and safety, access for people with disabilities and heritage laws.

Practice Areas

To discuss the availability, suitability and fees of this barrister, please contact Chris Chapman.

Chris Chapman
Chris Chapman
Principal Barristers' Clerk

Experience

Previous Occupation
  • Rolf was previously a solicitor in general private practice and Community Legal Centres in Melbourne and Geelong and an Associate to a County Court Judge, including a period spent at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
  • He also worked on Freedom of Information for a non-governmental organisation in Johannesburg and was Education Officer at the University of Melbourne Post-Graduate Association.
Academic Position
 
  • Rolf has delivered presentations to solicitors on Freedom of Information, the Victorian Charter of Rights and Statutory Interpretation.
  • He has also had considerable experience as a teacher and researcher in law at various tertiary educational institutions in Melbourne and regional Victoria, in subjects including Employment and Industrial Law and Commercial Law.
Significant Cases
 
  • Butterworth v Independence Australia Services [2015] VCAT 2056 (“Reasonable Adjustments” for Employee with Disability)
  • Kulta Group v Melbourne CC [2015] VCAT 180 ( For intervenor in support of Planning Permit Refusal regarding site subject to Heritage Overlay
  • MZYPZ v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2012] FCA 478 (Judicial Review of Migration Review Tribunal’s refusal, in application for Spousal Visa, to review previous findings of Refugee Review Tribunal in application for Protection Visa)
  • Hyatt v Covalea [2011] VSC 334 ( Application for provision under will pursuant to Part IV of Probate and Administration Act )
  • Stevenson v Murdoch Community Services Inc [2010] 202 IR 266, [2010] FCA 648 (Unlawful Termination of employment because of temporary absence from work whilst ill )
  • MZXTU v Minister for Immigration [2009] FMCA 66 (Judicial Review of refusal of Protection Visa sought for persecution on basis of membership of particular social group)
  • TSB v Secretary to the Department of Justice [2008] VCAT 1785 (Grant of Working With Children Act Assessment Notice)

Publications and articles

He has published on Labour Law and Freedom of Information in Australia, South Africa and Kenya.

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