CV - S J Walsh

Background

Professional Experience

I have been at the NSW bar for 16 years during which I have appeared in a range of civil and commercial matters, principally life insurance cases, professional negligence, occupiers liability and property insurance disputes, contractual disputes, taxation recovery matters, and discrimination cases.

Prior to coming to the bar, I had 14 years experience as a solicitor/ solicitor advocate specialising in general civil and commercial litigation, in particular product liability, professional negligence, building and construction, insurance policy disputes, contractual disputes, pollution/ contamination claims, and health and safety prosecutions.

Recent Cases

Newling v Metlife Insurance Limited [2019] NSWCA 149 & MetLife Insurance Limited v MX [2019] NSWCA 228 (TPD insurance claims in which I appeared for the defendant (as leader at first instance and led by Julian Sexton SC on appeal in Newling and led by Julian Sexton SC in MX)

Smith v OnePath Life Limited [2020] NSWSC 1185 (life insurance claim involving fraudulent non-disclosure in which I appeared for the defendant (led by Jeffrey Gleeson QC))

Polglase v Coffs Harbour City Council (No 2) [2019] NSWSC 1848 & Coffs Harbour City Council v Polglase [2020] NSWCA 265 (personal injury claim in which I appeared for the local authority (led by Robert Sheldon SC))

MetLife Insurance Limited v Sandstrom [2021] NSWCA 123 (TPD insurance claim in which I appeared for the insurer on appeal (led by Stephen Lloyd SC))

Voitenko v Zurich Australian Insurance Ltd [2019] NSWCA 229 & [2021] NSWSC 1441 (property insurance fraud claim in which I appeared for the insurer (led by Richard Cavanagh SC (2019) and Julian Sexton SC (2021))

Thiab v Western Sydney University [2022] NSWSC 760 & Western Sydney University v Thiab [2023] NSWCA 57 (discrimination case in which I appeared for the University at first instance and on appeal (led by Stephen Lloyd SC on appeal))

Glover v Fuller [2022] ATSC 144, [2023] ACTSC 12 & [2023] ACTSC 101 (watersports injury claim in which I appeared for the defendant)

Chen v Kmart Australia Limited [2022] NSWDC 519 & [2023] NSWCA 96 (public liability injury damages claim in which I appeared for the defendant at first instance and on appeal)

Ramsay Surveyors Pty Ltd v Toplace Pty Ltd & Others; Khouri v Toplace Pty Ltd & Others; Khouri v Toplace Pty Ltd & Others [2023] NSWDC 53 & [2023] NSWDC 80 (worksite injury claim in which I appeared for defendant principal contractor)

Walsh v Yang [2023] NSWDC 307 (disputed liability insurance claim involving multiple exclusions under a home insurance policy in which I appeared for the insured homeowner)

Applicant 202271 v AIA Australia (Discrimination) [2023] ACAT 59 (discrimination case in which I appeared for the respondent insurer)