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T: +44 (0) 20 7242 3555   |   E: clerks@7br.co.uk

Dr Thomas Hickie joined 7BR in 2009 after having served as a Judge of the High Court of Fiji in its civil jurisdiction as well as being an ex officio member of the Fiji Court of Appeal dealing with both civil and criminal appeals.

Since joining 7BR, his work has been predominantly in the civil area but he also undertakes private criminal work as well as having a particular interest in Sports Law – an area in which he has also lectured to the Bars of NSW, Jamaica and Fiji as well as having an ongoing appointment as a Visiting Fellow each summer at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

His ability to cover a wide of area of law was recognised when serving on the bench in Fiji where he delivered judgments covering administrative and constitutional law, commercial law, contempt, criminal law, discrimination, employment, human rights, tort (defamation, personal injury, clinical negligence and road traffic matters), to estate and land law.

In Australia, he had a broad practice at the NSW Bar reflecting his wide ranging career and interests. Colleagues at the Bar in Australia who did cases with him have described him “as a brilliant barrister who dedicates himself to the very heart of what the law is and should be about”, that his “court track record is excellent, mainly because he understands his briefs, listens to the clients and puts many hours into assembling these factors”, is “diligent” with “that sound combination of learning and practical understanding of the law” and for “those instructing him and their clients” he is “patient” having “a comfortable rapport”. This view has been endorsed by instructing Solicitors who have described him as “a very competent and experienced counsel who always thoroughly prepares all briefs provided to him”, ”diligent, dedicated and effective”, “preparation is his hallmark”, and that he has “an extensive legal knowledge” with “excellent written and oral communication skills which enhance his ability as an advocate”.

Upon his arrival in the UK, one referee from the Bar of England and Wales who worked with him has described how they were “particularly impressed at the speed at which he was able to grasp complex legal problems and give succinct and clear-cut answers” with “a special ability to sift through complex documents and facts and focus on only what is relevant”.

His most recent publications have been as joint author of Questions and Answers on Criminal Law in the Common Law States (LexisNexis Butterworths, 2009) and joint editor of Essays in Sport and the Law (ASSH, 2008).

 

Key Cases

Recent UK

  • Tort - Personal Injury/Sports Law - McElwee v Rowley (Unreported, Liverpool County Court, 10 November 2010) - Hearing of Defendant’s Pt20 counter-claim arising from motor accident – Award of general damages to include a sum for “loss of congenial employment/loss of opportunity” to compete in chosen sport internationally and a sum for “loss of chance” of scholarship funding.

Australia

  • Tort - Personal Injury/assault by Police - State of New South Wales v Kouumdjiev [2006] HCATrans 007 (3 February 2006), High Court of Australia - Junior Counsel for Respondent, Application by State of NSW for special leave to appeal – Leave refused.
  • Tort - Personal Injury/assault by Police - State of New South Wales v Koumdjiev (2005) 63 NSWLR, Vol.3, 353; [2005] NSWCA 247 - Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of New South Wales - Junior Counsel for Respondent concerning damages awarded for assault and false arrest by police in entrance hall of apartment block and in what circumstances can a licence given by one tenant in common be revocable by another tenant in common - Appeal dismissed.
  • Tort - Personal Injury/limitation of actions - State of New South Wales v H by her tutor; and Barnardos Australia v H [2005] NSWCA 244; Junior Counsel for Respondent in two joint Appeals on a limitation of action when Respondent suffering disability - automatic extension of limitation period - plaintiff entitled to three year extension from date of last period of disability - Appeals dismissed.

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Key Judgments Fiji

High Court

State v Arbirtration Tribunal, ex parte Suva City Council [2008] FJHC 185; HBJ22.2008 (15 August 2008) Paclii: http://www.paclii.org/fj/cases/FJHC/2008/185.html

 

Court of Appeal

 

Recent publications:

 

Appointments:

  • (Current) Visiting Summer Fellow in Sports Law, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • Former Puisne Judge, High Court of Fiji and ex-officio Justice, Fiji Court of Appeal
  • Former Adjunct Professor, Boston University, Sydney Internship Program, Australia
  • Former Sessional Lecturer, LLB program, University of New South Wales, Australia
  • Former Sessional Lecturer, LLM Program, University of New England, Australia
  • Former Sessional Associate Lecturer, LLB program, Macquarie University, Australia
  • Former Solicitor in both Sydney and Melbourne, Australia
  • Former university and sports administrator

 

Memberships:

  • The South Eastern Circuit
  • Personal Injury Bar Association
  • British Association for Sport and Law
  • NSW Bar Association, Australia
  • Australian Society for Sports History

 

Contact Dr Thomas Hickie

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7242 3555
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7242 2511
Email: clerks@7br.co.uk