Sandy Dawson SC

Called to Bar: 2003

Appointed to Silk: 2016

Admitted: 1997

After working as Associate to the Honourable Justice Graham Hill in 1996, and as a solicitor at Minter Ellison and senior associate at Freehills, Sandy Dawson came to the Bar in 2003. He has appeared in all major State and Federal courts and tribunals. He is ranked by Chambers & Partners as a leading Senior Counsel for dispute resolution, listed in Doyle's Guide as a preeminent Senior Counsel in Australia for Media matters, and is ranked in Best Lawyers for bet-the-company litigation and litigation.

Sandy is recognised as having particular expertise in media and defamation. He has represented all major media outlets, both in NSW and interstate courts, and appears both at first instance and on appeal.  He is regularly retained by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Fairfax Media, Channel Nine, Channel Seven and Radio Station 2GB’s Ray Hadley. He also represents high profile plaintiffs, including actors and members of the judiciary. He has extensive experience conducting defamation jury trials, urgent hearings for injunctions, and matters involving suppression and non-publication orders. His practice includes cases which involve questions of breach of confidence and breach of privacy.

Sandy’s general commercial practice includes class actions, professional liability and administrative law matters.  He is presently briefed by Maurice Blackburn as part of the counsel team in the diesel emissions class actions against Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda.  He often appears for Harness Racing NSW in the Racing Appeals Tribunal and in litigated matters in the Supreme Court, for Lawcover in professional liability matters, and for parties required to appear before public enquiries conducted by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.