Academic and Professional Qualifications

- Bachelor of Laws (Second Class Honours) University of Queensland, 1976

- Master of Laws University of Queensland, 1980

- Solicitor, Supreme Court of Queensland

- Solicitor, High Court of Australia

Areas of Practice

Geoff Hancock has practised as a solicitor in Queensland since 1977, and almost exclusively in the field of commercial litigation since then. Apart from the usual range of contractual disputes over property, his experience includes the arrest of vessels, obtaining asset protection orders, claims for breach of copyright, for the protection of confidentiality of intellectual property and for the enforcement of restraint of trade clauses, and partnership breakups.

He has also had extensive experience in handling professional indemnity claims and disciplinary proceedings against other solicitors. He is accredited by the Queensland Law Society as a Commercial Litigation Specialist, and was awarded the highest achievement for that specialty when he attained accreditation.

He was a partner for many years in a major national law firm and joined Russell and Company in July 2002.

Some of the matters in which he has acted include:-

• Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Peabody (1994) 181 CLR 359
• Representing a religious order in negotiations for settlement of mass claims of abuse
• Appearing as advocate for the Queensland Harness Racing Board in appeals to the Racing Appeals Tribunal.

He has presented papers on aspects of the conduct of commercial litigation at seminars organised by the Queensland Law Society and LAAMS.

Memberships

• Queensland Law Society Inc
• The Brisbane Club