John Nolan

Call: 2024

Tel: +61 2 8227 4400
Email: nolan@universitychambers.com.au

Practice Areas

  • Insolvency & Bankruptcy
  • Commercial & Equity
  • Corporations
  • Taxation
  • Banking & Finance
  • Competition & Consumer
  • Building & Construction
  • Criminal
  • Regulatory

John accepts briefs in all areas of law. He practices predominantly in commercial law, with a focus on insolvency, corporations, banking and equity. John also has significant experience in Federal and State criminal law, and disputes relating to taxation, property and construction. John’s instructing solicitors include small and large law firms, sole practitioners, government agencies, and regulators.

John has appeared both led and unled in contested applications and hearings in all jurisdictions in NSW and in the Federal Court of Australia.

Before coming to the Bar, John also practiced as a solicitor for 7 years having been admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court. During his time as a solicitor, John was a Senior Associate in Ashurst’s tier-one Restructuring, Insolvency and Special Situations Group, a Senior Associate at Colin Biggers & Paisley in its Restructuring & Insolvency group, and a Federal Prosecutor for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

As a solicitor in commercial practice, John acted for insolvency practitioners, State and Federal government agencies, small to large companies, directors, funds, and foreign and domestic banks and lenders. His practice involved both advising on front-end restructuring and litigation predominantly in the Supreme Court of NSW and the Federal Court of Australia.

Selection of cases (as Counsel)

  • In the matter of FSM Development Pty Ltd (In Liq) (Ongoing) NSWSC and FCA (Insolvency, Corporations), led by D Cook SC and M Rose (instructed by Ashurst)
  • In the matter of EncoreFX Pty Ltd (In Liq) (Ongoing) NSWSC (Insolvency, Voidable transactions) unled (instructed by King & Wood Mallesons)
  • SP Multi Claims Holdings LLC v Digital Surge Pty Ltd & Anor (Ongoing) NSWSC (Contract, Insolvency), led by D Williams SC and M Rose (instructed by Ashurst)
  • In the matter of Greatcell Solar Limited (In Liquidation) and Greatcell Solar Australia Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) (Ongoing) FCA (Insolvency, Insolvent trading), led by M Rose (instructed by Colin Biggers & Paisley)
  • Greenway Investors Pty Ltd v Bautovich (Ongoing) NSWSC (Real Property, Equity), led by B Coles KC (instructed by Osbornes Lawyers)
  • Rita Moit & Ors v Michael Moit & Ors (Ongoing) NSWSC (Equity, Oppression) (instructed by Dentons)
  • Procent Pty Ltd v Judo Bank & Ors (Ongoing) NSWSC (Equity, Corporations) (instructed by Clayton Utz)
  • Richard Bligh-Jones v Glen Paul Vandenhoek (Ongoing) NSWDC (Contract), unled (instructed by Mills Oakley)
  • In the matters of Nagrada (In Liq) & Zalcom (In Liq) (Ongoing) NSWDC (Insolvency, Insolvent trading), unled (instructed by PBL Law Group)
  • Clifford Hallem Healthcare v Jesmond Pharmacy & Ors (2024-25) FCA (Insolvency, Winding up applications), unled (instructed by Ashurst)
  • Peter Krejci in his capacity as liquidator of Richmond Lifts Pty Ltd (In Liq) & Ors v Teddy Panella & Ors (2025) FCA (Insolvency, Public examinations), unled (instructed by McEvoy Legal)
  • In the matter of Majikk Pty Ltd (2024-25) NSWSC (Insolvency, Statutory demand), unled (instructed by PBL Law Group)
  • Gage v Tax Practitioners Board (2025) AAT (Disciplinary), led by K Josifoski (instructed by the Tax Practitioners Board)
  • Gould v Tax Practitioners Board (2024-25) AAT (Disciplinary), led by K Josifoski (instructed by the Tax Practitioners Board)
  • Scott Langdon in his capacity as joint and several Trustee of the Digital Surge Creditors’ Trust (2024) NSWSC (Equity, Judicial Advice), led by D Williams SC (instructed by Ashurst)
  • Zagga Investments Pty Ltd v AMAL Security Services Pty Ltd & Ors (2024) NSWSC (Equity), led by J Giles SC and M Rose (instructed by Ashurst)
  • Procent Pty Ltd v Judo Bank & Ors (2024-2025) NSWSC (Equity, Corporations), S Docker SC (instructed by Herman Legal)
  • Vardy (liquidator) v Titan Cranes and Rigging Pty Ltd, in the matter of Boon Business Consultants Pty Ltd (in liq) [2024] FCA 1410 (Suppression orders), unled (instructed by Ashurst)
  • Fourteen Consulting Services Pty Ltd (in liq) v A.O.B Holding Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 5) [2024] FCA 1029 (Corporations, Insolvency), led by R Notley (instructed by Ashurst)
  • Brian Stanley Fisher v Deputy Commissioner of Australian Taxation Office & Anor [2024] FCA 1364 (Taxation, Part IVC), led by K Josifoski
  • Youssef v Commissioner of Taxation [2024] FCA 1154 (Taxation, Part IVC), led by D McClure SC and K Josifoski
  • Mooi Holdings Pty Ltd v SFN Constructions Pty Ltd (2024) NSWSC (Construction), led by F Ashworth and S Hanscombe (instructed by Ashurst)
  • In the matter of the bankrupt estate of Marlas Zhu (2024) FCA (Bankruptcy, Examinations), unled (instructed by CBB Law)
  • Ligon 158 Pty Limited (in liq) v Shield Holdings Australia Pty Ltd (in liq) (Special Purpose Liquidator) [2025] FCA 3 (Corporations, Insolvency), unled (instructed by Ashurst)
  • Dive Lawyers Pty Ltd t/as Dive Lawyers & Notaries v The Manager, Costs Assessment [2024] NSWSC 721 (Costs), led by M Castle

Selection of cases (as Solicitor)

  • Mooi Holdings Pty Ltd v SFN Constructions Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 573
  • DSHE Holdings Ltd (Receivers and Managers) (in liq) v Potts; HSBC Bank Ltd v Abboud; Potts v National Australia Bank Ltd [2022] NSWCA 165; 405 ALR 70
  • NR Addlestone Pty Ltd v Henry v Kogan [2021] NSWSC 1410
  • Hayes (Liquidator) v 5G Developments Pty Ltd, in the matter of 5G Developments Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 15414
  • Re Madden (in his capacity as receiver of Direct Acceptance Corporation Ltd (In Liq) (2019) ACSR 245