Admitted to practice 1979
Queen’s Counsel 1996 (now King’s Counsel)

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.

• 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 (2009-2015)
• University of Adelaide Law School Advisory Committee

Appellate

• Civil and Commercial
• Public Law

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
• Administrative Law and Judicial Review
• Civil and Human Rights
• Compulsory Acquisition of Land
• Constitutional Law
• Disciplinary Proceedings
• Discrimination
• Mining
• Native Title

Taxation

• Land Tax
• Payroll Tax
• Stamp Duty and other State Taxes
• Valuation of Land — Rating and Taxing Appeals