Alec is a tenacious yet personable litigator, with a unique experience in commercial litigation having spent time as Tipstaff to the Honourable Justice Rein at the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2021 and 2022. Having experienced litigation from the perspective of the bench, Alec brings an inimitable set of skills and knowledge to every dispute.
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Recognised for combining strategic rigour with a practical, client-focused approach, Alec has experience acting across a broad range of complex commercial disputes and is valued for his clear judgment, attention to detail, and ability to navigate litigation efficiently and decisively.
Alec brings a unique and highly valuable perspective to his practice, having served as Tipstaff to the Honourable Justice Rein at the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2021 and 2022. In that role, he worked closely with the Court on significant matters, gaining first-hand insight into how cases are prepared, argued, and determined. This experience gives Alec a deep understanding of judicial reasoning and court procedure, allowing him to shape litigation strategies that are both persuasive and practical. Drawing on his time at the Court, Alec is adept at identifying the issues that truly matter, anticipating judicial concerns, and presenting complex legal arguments with clarity and precision.
Clients value his approachable manner, commercial awareness, and commitment to achieving strong outcomes. Alec works closely with clients to guide them confidently through each stage of the litigation process, ensuring they are informed, supported, and strategically positioned at all times.
ADMISSIONS
Supreme Court of New South Wales
High Court of Australia
EXPERIENCE
In the matter of Ashby Mining Limited (In liquidation) v Anderson [2025] FCA 1246
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the Applicants, successfully applied for orders under s 477(2B) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and s 37AF of the Federal Court of Australia 1976 (Cth) permitting the liquidators of Ashby Mining Limited (in Liq) to enter a costs agreement with Watson Webb to prosecute claims against the former directors of the company, as well as a non-publication and suppression order with respect to the costs agreement.
In the matter of Stonepoint Capital Management Pty Ltd (unreported, Supreme Court of New South Wales, 12 June 2025)
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the Plaintiff, successfully applied to the Court for orders winding up Stonepoint Capital Management Pty Ltd (in Liq) on just and equitable grounds.
In the matter of Tradercobb Pty Ltd (in Liquidation) [2024] NSWSC 1167
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the Plaintiff, successfully applied for approval of the liquidator of Tradercobb Pty Ltd (in Liq)’s remuneration under s 60-10 of the Insolvency Practice Schedule (Corporations) to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
Richard Albarran in his capacity as liquidator of Krisnic Nominees Pty Ltd (in Liquidation) (ACN 634 372 437) v Kristofer Wczesniak [2024] NSWSC 487
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the Plaintiffs, successfully applied for orders under ss 68 and 108 of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) requiring the former sole director and secretary of Krisnic Nominees Pty Ltd (in Liq), and his wife, to attend Court to be examined.
Hill v Wirepa [2024] NSWDC 373
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the Cross-Claimants, successfully applied for permanent injunctions prohibiting the Cross-Defendant, Silvana Wirepa, from accessing the Cross-Claimant’s property other than to traverse it to access a public road.
Wirepa v Hill [2023] NSWSC 1394
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the Defendants, successfully applied for summary dismissal of an application made by the Plaintiff pursuant to s 88K of the Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW).
Wirepa v Hill (No. 2) [2023] NSWSC 1654
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the Defendants, successfully applied for an indemnity costs order following the Court’s summary dismissal of the Plaintiff’s application for an easement pursuant to s 88K of the Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW).
Sunshine Energy Australia Pty Ltd v Youssef [2023] FCA 189
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the First Respondent, successfully applied for orders dismissing the proceeding on the basis that the Applicants had failed to comply with an order that they pay security for the First Respondent’s costs.
Sunshine Energy Australia Pty Ltd v Youssef [2023] FCA 549
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the First Respondent, successfully opposed an application made pursuant to r 39.03(1)(b) of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) to claim against the First and Fifth Respondents in fresh proceedings for the same relief as claimed in earlier proceedings which had been dismissed by the Court for the Applicants failure to pay security for the First Respondent’s costs.
Sunshine Energy Australia Pty Ltd v Youssef (unreported, Federal Court of Australia, 21 December 2022)
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the First Respondent, successfully applied to the Court for security for the First Respondent’s costs of the proceeding.
Vedam Enterprises Pty Ltd v Xpress Fuel Australia Pty Ltd [2022] NSWSC 1756
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the Plaintiffs, successfully obtained interim injunctions restraining the Defendants from terminating leases and taking possession of eight sites used by several of the Plaintiffs to conduct retail service station businesses in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
In the matter of John Wayland Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) [2022] FCA 1119
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the Applicants, successfully obtained orders extending the period within which the administrators of John Wayland Pty Ltd (Administrators Appointed) were required to convene a meeting of the creditors of the company as fixed by s 439A(5) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
Salex NSW Pty Ltd v Congredior Pty Ltd [2021] NSWSC 732
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the Defendant, successfully applied to the Court for security for the Defendant’s costs of the proceeding.
Ziegler as trustee for the Doris Gayst Testamentary Trust v Cenric Group Pty Ltd [2020] NSWCA 85
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the Respondent on the appeal, successfully opposed an application for leave to appeal from a judgment setting aside a statutory demand issued by the Appellant to the Respondent.
Cenric Group Pty Ltd v Ziegler as trustee for the Doris Gayst Testamentary Trust [2019] NSWSC 1586
In this matter, Watson Webb, acting for the Plaintiff, successfully applied for orders setting aside a statutory demand issued by the Defendant to the Plaintiff.
PUBLICATIONS
“The Characterisation of, and Recourse against, Negative Jurisdictional Decisions in Australia” (2021) 31(3) Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal 192
In this article, Alec reviews the jurisprudence in Australian negative jurisdictional decisions, including their characterisation under the International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth) and whether there exists any right of review under that Act against negative jurisdictional decisions. For the reasons explained by Alec in the article, Australian jurisprudence is, compared to other international jurisdictions, underdeveloped in this area of the law and requires reform not only to clarify judicial inconsistencies, but also to provide guidance to current and prospective practitioners and parties who wish to commence arbitral proceedings in Australia. The article can be found at (2021) 31(3) ADRJ 192.
“Lawful Act Duress: Is it Time to Travel Away from Karam?” (2022) 96(12) Australian Law Journal 906 (co-author)
In this article, Alec (together with his co-author, Michael Dimarco) review the jurisprudence in Australia and the United Kingdom on lawful act economic duress, with a particular focus on the leading decisions of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd v Karam (2005) 64 NSWLR 149 and Pakistan International Airline Corporation v Times Travel (UK) Ltd [2021] UKSC 40. In the article, Alec and Michel argue for a more expanded view of the concept of economic duress than is currently recognised in New South Wales and explain why the concept of illegitimate pressure ought to encompass conduct that involves threats to do something lawful. The article can be found at (2022) 96(12) Australian Law Journal 906.
“The Implications of Zurich Insurance Co Ltd v Koper” (2023) 34 Public Law Review 275 (co-author)
Is the Commonwealth Parliament’s legislative power subject to an implication in the Constitution that it cannot alter the scope and reach of State judicial power, save where it is expressly empowered to do so? This was the central question on appeal in Zurich Insurance Co Ltd v Koper [2023] HCA 25. In this article, Alec (together with his co-author, Michael Dimarco) critically analyse the Court’s two judgments, by which the Court dismissed the insurer’s appeal from the New South Wales Court of Appeal. Although the Court was unanimous in outcome, the two judgments of the Court expressed critically divergent views as to how constitutional implications ought to be drawn which, in turn, has led to further uncertainty about the appropriate standard of recognising constitutional implications. On the one hand, Kiefel CJ, Gageler, Gleeson and Jagot JJ held that implications may be drawn from the text or structure of the Constitution. On the other hand, Gordon, Edelman and Steward JJ held that constitutional implications must be securely based in the text and structure of the Constitution. As Alec and Michael explain, the divergence in the Court’s decision is likely to lead to further uncertainty, rather than provide any clarity, about how constitutional implications ought to be drawn. The article can be found at (2023) 34 PLR 275.
“Optional, Asymmetrical and Acceptable? The Validity of Optional Asymmetrical Arbitration Agreements in Australia” (2023) 23 International Trade and Business Law Review 45
In this article, Alec examines the validity of optional asymmetrical arbitration agreements in several foreign jurisdictions and its likely effect upon Australia. While foreign courts have not taken a uniform stance on the invalidity of optional asymmetrical arbitration agreements on public policy grounds, Alec argues that Australian courts will likely take a “pro-arbitration approach of the New York Convention” along the lines of other common law jurisdictions such as England and Singapore. The article can be found at (2023) 23 International Trade and Business Law Review 45.
