Matthew Townsend
- Commercial Law Public Law
He has taught in the Trial Practice and Advocacy program at Monash University and teaches in the Property Law program at Melbourne University.
In 2000 Matthew was awarded the Public Interest Law Clearing House Pro Bono Award by the Governor of Victoria for his work in environmental litigation. He was Dux of International Environmental Law at Leiden University in Holland in 1992 and was the inaugural winner of the JF Kearney, QC prize in environmental law in 1991.
Matthew maintains Restrictive Covenants and Easements in Victoria, a website providing casenotes and resources about the modification and removal of restrictive covenants and easements in Victoria.
Matthew operates a paperless practice and welcomes electronic briefs.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under the Professional Standards Legislation
Contact
- P03 9225 8558
- M0411 220 277
- E[email protected]
- Download VCard
Owen Dixon Chambers West
525 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Jane King
03 9225 8558
Expertise
- Appellate
- Energy & Resources
- Equity & Trusts
- Real Property
- Environment
- Planning & Local Government
Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
Victoria
State and Territory Courts and Tribunals
Federal Court of Australia
High Court of Australia
Recent Cases
Recent Cases
For further information on Matthew's recent cases, please click here.
Publications
Restrictive Covenants in Victoria - Theory and Practice
28 April 2020Restrictive Covenants in Victoria – A Theoretical Overview
27 March 2020Is the Court still processing s84 applications?
28 February 2020Changes to Supreme Court Practice
20 February 2020Property Law Update - Can you still establish an easement by prescription (or long use) in Victoria?
07 October 2019Property Law Update - Court clarifies notice required to create a binding building scheme
16 September 2019Property Law Update - Think carefully before applying for a planning permit to modify a restrictive covenant
29 April 2019Property Law Update - Supreme Court accepts a rooming house is a legitimate ‘comparator’ when modifying a single dwelling covenant
26 March 2019Property Law Update - Easements Frequently Asked Questions
25 March 2019Property Law Update - Easements and Restrictive Covenants in Victoria
26 November 2018Property Law Update - Do covenants prohibiting advertising hoardings prevent real estate signage?
12 September 2018Property Law Update - Supreme Court modifies Urban Land Authority covenant
24 July 2018Property Law Update - Recent developments in Supreme Court practice on restrictive covenants
13 July 2018Property Law Update - Plaintiffs, prove your case
22 March 2018Property Law Update - What’s Yours is Mine: Adverse Possession
12 October 2017Property Law Update - Construction, the Community and Neighbours Panel Discussion
23 December 2016Planning Law Update - Apartment building loses three floors to protect emergency helicopter flight path
18 November 2016Property Law Update - The Court sounds a note of caution to ambitious developers
31 October 2016Property Law Update - How to choose a lawyer to run your restrictive covenant case
01 August 2016Property Law Update - Case database relevant to restrictive covenant advice and litigation
25 July 2016Property Law Update - Supreme Court issues “Guide to Practitioners” appearing in covenant cases
12 July 2016Property Law Update - Brick no longer means ‘double-brick’ in building materials covenants
04 January 2016Property Law Update - Court approves ambitious modification
06 October 2015Property Law Update - Building materials covenants still have work to do in Victoria
03 August 2015Property Law Update - The importance of choosing the right town planner
23 June 2014Property Law Update - The Court reaffirms defendants’ right to costs, notwithstanding Calderbank offers
28 April 2014Property Law Update: Supreme Court keeps 'Substantial Injury' Applications Alive
Memberships
Supreme Court of Victoria's Property List Users Group
Supreme Court of Victoria's Valuation, Compensation and Planning User Group