James Paterson

About James Paterson

James Paterson has practised as counsel in commercial and common law matters for more than 30 years. He was admitted in 1989 and came to the Victorian Bar in 1993, reading with Robin Brett QC. Before the Bar he practised as a commercial solicitor and was associate to the Hon. Justice Olney of the Federal Court of Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts, and is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia.

He is also a nationally accredited mediator. His clerk’s profile records his accreditation under the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS) on 23 June 2023, and his approval as an external mediator by Court Services Victoria. It says he mediates commercial and corporate, contractual, banking and finance, professional negligence, workplace and employment, and property disputes.

His practice is mainly in the civil jurisdictions of the Federal and State courts and tribunals. His clerk describes advice and appearances in matters involving negligence and other torts, contract, misrepresentation, unconscionable conduct, insolvency, banking, wills and estates, and property.

• At the Bar since 1993 Admitted 1989; more than 30 years as counsel.
• Federal Court associate Associate to Justice Olney before coming to the Bar.
• Accredited mediator AMDRAS accredited 2023; approved external mediator, Court Services Victoria.
• Commercial and civil Contract, torts, insolvency, banking, estates and property.
• Read with Robin Brett QC His pupil master on joining the Bar.
• Dever’s List Chambers at ODW 1713.

What James Paterson handles

His clerk lists a broad commercial and civil practice, including:

• Commercial law, corporations, schemes of arrangement and consumer law
• Banking and finance, and bankruptcy and insolvency
• Building and construction, and insurance
• Professional negligence and other torts, and defamation
• Equity and trusts, and probate, wills and Part IV family provision claims
• Intellectual property, copyright, computers and IT, and sports law
• Administrative, local government, and environment and planning law
• Mediation of commercial, employment and property disputes

How a barrister is engaged. Barristers in Victoria are sole practitioners. They are ordinarily briefed by a solicitor rather than retained directly by a client, and their availability and fees are arranged through their clerk.

Sources: his Dever’s List profile and Victorian Bar profile, both reviewed 17 September 2026. Practice information is supplied by the barrister and is not independently verified by the Victorian Bar, his clerk or this site. We do not list individual cases or clients.

Rankings

We searched Doyle’s Guide’s Victorian commercial litigation, construction and insolvency counsel lists and did not find him listed. Doyle’s ranks a small share of the Bar, so absence from its lists is not a finding about a barrister’s work.

Register details

James Paterson is listed on the Victorian register of lawyers kept by the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner. The entry below is reproduced as it appeared on 17 September 2026.

• Name on the registerJames Paterson
• Practising certificate typeBarrister
• Practising atJames C Paterson
• AddressMELBOURNE VIC 3142 (as recorded)
• Areas of practiceAdvocacy, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Banking/Finance, Building/Construction, Business/Corporate Law, Civil Litigation, Commercial Law, Competition/Consumer Law, Debts/Insolvency, Equity/Trusts/Finance, Insurance, Litigation - general, Trade Practices Law
• Accredited specialisationsNot applicable
• LanguagesNot applicable

Barristers in Victoria are sole practitioners, which is why the “practising at” field shows his own name rather than a firm, and why accredited specialisation is recorded as not applicable — the Law Institute of Victoria specialist accreditation scheme is for solicitors.

The practice around him

He is clerked by Dever’s List, and his clerk records his chambers as ODW 1713. A clerking list is not a law firm: its barristers remain sole practitioners, and bookings are made through the clerk.

How to engage him

Contact Dever’s List about availability for advice, appearances or a mediation. Barristers are normally briefed by a solicitor. If you do not yet have one, our matching service can put your matter in front of a commercial lawyer who can then brief counsel if your matter needs it.

Frequently asked questions

Is James Paterson the barrister the same person as Senator James Paterson?

No. James C. Paterson is a commercial barrister and mediator at the Victorian Bar, clerked by Dever’s List. Senator James Paterson is a Liberal senator for Victoria and is a different person.

Who is James Paterson, barrister?

James C. Paterson is a Melbourne commercial barrister and nationally accredited mediator. He was admitted in 1989, came to the Victorian Bar in 1993 after serving as associate to Justice Olney of the Federal Court, and is clerked by Dever’s List.

Is James Paterson an accredited mediator?

Yes. His clerk’s profile records AMDRAS accreditation on 23 June 2023 and approval as an external mediator by Court Services Victoria.

What areas does James Paterson practise in?

Commercial and civil law, mainly in the Federal and State courts and tribunals: contract, negligence and other torts, insolvency, banking and finance, construction, insurance, equity and trusts, wills and estates, and property, as well as mediation.

How do I engage James Paterson?

Through his clerk, Dever’s List. Barristers are ordinarily briefed by a solicitor, though parties to a dispute can contact the clerk about his availability as a mediator.