Edward De Zilwa

In addition to practicing as a barrister, Edward is a nationally Accredited Mediator under the NMAS.

When he served as Chief Mining Warden for Victoria, Edward helped parties with assisted dispute resolution and mediation, as needed, and conducted hearings under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act and on referral from Ministerial delegates.

Edward has extensive experience as a barrister, having appeared in Victorian courts at all levels. His work in the higher courts, including the Court of Appeal, has involved proceeds of crime and confiscation briefs, for both the DPP for Victoria and the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police. He has also appeared for the Law Institute of Victoria.

He also has experience appearing in the Federal Court, at first instance, in appeals and in appeals from the AAT.

Edward is experienced in statutory interpretation cases and has advised and appeared for regulators, statutory agencies, and some private applicants, alone and as junior counsel, in merits review cases across a wide variety of areas in the AAT and VCAT.

He is also experienced in occupational licensing and disciplinary proceedings, both as an advocate for parties and as counsel assisting a decision maker in in camera hearings. This work in occupational licensing and disciplinary proceedings has been with courts, tribunals and boards established by statute, and with private tribunals.

Other relevant interests: 

Edward currently serves as member of the Presbyterian Church’s Trusts Corporation and Board of Investment and Finance, and is a member of the Audit Committee.  He previously served as a member of those bodies from 2005 to 2015, including three years as Chairman. 

Consequently, Edward also has experience in advising on the work of trustees of charitable trusts, and is interested in conflict of interest policies and their implementation.

Edward was previously a joint co-ordinator of the Administrative Law and Civil Litigation teams for the Practical Legal Training course offered by the Leo Cussen Centre for Law, as well as serving as a member of their Academic Committee.  

He has also previously served as a member of a university ethics committee considering ethics approval for research projects.  

Previous occupations:

Chief Mining Warden for Victoria 2019 – 2022

Part-time Mentor and Consultant, Leo Cussen Centre for Law 1999 – 2022

Full-time University Lecturer 1996 – 1998

Solicitor 1979- 1981

Memberships:   

Edward is a member of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under the Professional Standards Legislation.