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Experience

Raph practises in torts, professional liability, class actions, judicial review, insurance and coronial law. He has significant experience in matters involving complex claims against legal practitioners, health practitioners, hospitals, product manufacturers and statutory authorities. He is regularly briefed in coronial inquests and in matters involving challenges to determinations by coroners under the Coroners Act 2008. He has experience in matters involving the Sheriff of Victoria. He has appeared in litigation involving the parens patriae jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Victoria. He has significant experience appearing in court both led and unled.

Recent matters in which he has been briefed include the following:

• The Roundup class action in the Federal Court of Australia (McNickle v Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Ltd & Ors, led by Steven Finch SC, Rob Craig KC, Kateena O’Gorman SC, with Daniel Habashy).

• Numerous appeals (e.g. Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited v Dollisson [2020] NSWCA 58 (led by Ian Roberts SC, with Paul Menary); Giurina v Sheriff [2024] VSCA 112; Tsiragakis v Mallet [2025] VSCA 134 (led by Jeremy Ruskin KC); Tiba v TAC [2025] VSCA 236, led by Jeremy Ruskin KC)).

• Litigation concerning the powers of the Sheriff of Victoria to execute warrants (e.g. Giurina v Sheriff (Vic) [2024] VSC 715; Giurina v Sheriff (Vic) (costs) [2025] VSC 155)).

• Various proceedings for judicial review (e.g. Scamante v Dr Lanzer & Ors [2024] VSC 664 (led by Roslyn Kaye KC), Helmer v Coroners Court of Victoria [2025] VSC 235)).

• Appeals under the Coroners Act 2008 (e.g. Childs v Coroners Court of Victoria [2020] VSC 755; Runacres v Coroners Court of Victoria [2024] VSC 304; Hii v Coroners Court of Victoria [2025] VSC 279)).

• Numerous coronial inquests, including as counsel assisting, counsel for the senior next of kin and as counsel for interested parties (e.g. Inquest into the death of Harley Larking COR 2016 2137; Inquest into the death of Peta Hickey COR 2019 2336; Inquest into the death of JZA COR 2017 02564; Inquest into the death of PJQ COR 2022 001089; Inquest into the Death of Joshua Gonzalez COR 2020 004903)).

• Numerous professional liability claims against legal practitioners, medical practitioners and hospitals.

• Claims involving issues of admiralty/maritime law.

• Claims involving issues of choice of law.

• Various tort claims including false imprisonment, assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and nuisance.

From 24 Oct 2013, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.