Willem practices primarily in commercial, public and administrative law matters.
Practice
Willem advises and appears in a range of commercial disputes and also regularly acts in relation to administrative and/or public law matters involving questions of statutory interpretation, merits and judicial review, and in particular proceedings with a focus on regulatory, disciplinary, environmental & planning law.
Willem's commercial practice, while general in nature, has a focus on contracts, property, corporations and torts (including professional negligence and breaches of statutory duties).
He accepts briefs from prosecuting authorities, government bodies and agencies and acts for a range of different clients, including insurers, corporations and individuals. As well as regular advice and appearance work he is briefed for Inquiries, examinations, interlocutory applications, and, complex procedural questions of law and evidence, Willem appears in State and Federal jurisdictions at both trial and appellate levels, including Tribunals.
Background
Willem is a founding member of Ah Ket Chambers, 500 Bourke Street. Immediately before coming to the Bar he was a Judicial Associate and also practised as a solicitor for several years. Previously, Willem has worked for an international company based in The Netherlands dealing with printed and digital media. While overseas he also completed an extended internship in the area of climate change and desertification.
Willem graduated with a Juris Doctor from Melbourne University. He has completed studies in Dutch law and holds a Masters of European and Public International Law (Hons) alongside a degree in Town Planning. He read with Justin Brereton and his senior mentor was Richard Attiwill QC (now Justice Attiwill).
Recent cases
Some matters in which Willem has advised or appeared include:
Commercial
In the Matter of Think Biggish Pty Ltd [2025] SCV S ECI 2020 00556, Unreported (Recusal application).
Ball & Doggett v Coniglio Enterprises Pty Ltd & Ors [2024] VSC ( misleading and deceptive conduct, breach of warranty, restraints; employer poaching).
Palillo v Christopher Ambas (t/s Swiftly Legal) [2024] CCV (professional negligence, advocates immunity, ongoing);
Molawin Creek Ventures Pty Ltd & Ors v Sackl & Ors [2024] CCV (Breach of scientific consulting agreement; misleading and deceptive conduct);
Hasslinger & Anor v Walter & Pearce Webster Dugdales [2024] VSC ( professional negligence, equity; ongoing);
Nu Value Homes Pty Ltd (ACN 616 988 268( In Winding Up) v Cahill & Ors [2024] CCV, (for the insurer, building costs recovery);
Nu Value Homes Pty Ltd (ACN 616 988 268( In Winding Up) v Martin & Ors [2024] VCAT (for the insurer, building costs recovery);
Wang v Holiiez Investment Group Pty Ltd & Ors [2023] CCV (Building contract, misleading & deceptive conduct, tort of deceit; statutory interpretation, resolved at mediation) .
Mutton (liquidator) v De Matteis, In the matter of de Matteis Pty Ltd (in liq)(set aside application) [2023] FCA 1649
Wang v UD & C Urban Design & Ors [2023] CCV (for the Plaintiff, construction contract, professional negligence, ongoing).
Gunawan & Chandra v VMIA [2023] CCV (Insurance recovery action).
Re Estate of L Kosta [2023] VSC (Wills & deceased estate, dispute rightful executor).
Energy Australia Pty Ltd v Ivanhoe Ops Pty Ltd [2022] CCV (for the Plaintiff, breach of energy supply
Fu v Madison Marcus (Vic) Pty Ltd [2022] MCV (For the defendant, breach of consulting agreement, misleading & deceptive conduct, resolved).
Baracon Builders Pty Ltd v Simon and Mary Zannis [2022] VCAT BP694/2020 (For the respondent, security for costs application).
Re Jackanic & Jackanic v Stranscak [2022] VSC (Wills & Deceased estate - Part IV Application - resolved)
Wegner & Anor v Mayberry & Anor [2020] VSC 239 (Urgent application for caveat removal, unled).
Andonov v Stojanovksi [2022] VCC (intentional torts, resolved).
Andonov v Stojanovksi [2020] VCC 266 (Statute of limitations).
Happy Homes Building Group Pty Ltd v Registrar of Titles Victoria & Ors [2020] VCC 433 (Security for costs application, unled).
Martin Builders Pty Ltd v Kane Worthy Constructions Pty Ltd [2020] (VCAT) Joint Venture contractual building dispute, unled, resolved at mediation).
Morrissey v Drilco Australia Pty Ltd & Ors [2020] (VSC, Defending a common law negligence claim,unled, resolved).
C Tina Pty Ltd v Jennifer Barham-Floreani [2019] (VSC, Breach of multimillion dollar loan guarantee and indemnity, unled).
C Tina Pty Ltd v Jennifer Barham-Floreani [2019] VSC 819 (Review of refusal of debtor's application for instalment order, unled).
e-Mersion Media v In the Code Pty Ltd & Anor [2018] (injunction and application for damages concerning breach of copyright involving a digital media platform (FCA, led by Ian Upjohn KC, resolved by consent).
Advising and appearing for a large multinational company in an intellectual property dispute concerning misuse of proprietary imagery (FCA, unled, resolved by consent);
Proceedings at VCAT including: a five day hearing for claim for loss and damage against guarantors under the Retail Leases Act 2003 (Vic) involving an allegation of fraud with expert handwriting evidence (unled);
Public law
Dalton v Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Australia [2025] FCA 625 Horan J, (Judicial review application, Crimes Act 1918 (Cth)).
Dalton v Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Australia (No.2) [2025] FCA 718, (Costs).
Lo v Minister for Immigration & Citizenship [2025] AAT 2025/3452 (Merits Review character cancellation).
CEO Department of Health v KMD & Ors, [2024] HCASL 271 - Stay & special leave application HCA (led by Emrys Nekvapil SC);
CEO Department of Health v KMD & Ors, [2024] NTCCA 8 (Judicial review, operation of Custodial Supervision Order, led by Emrys Nekvapil SC);
Karmo Cars Pty Ltd & Ors v VicRoads & Ors [2024] (advice, Judicial Review)
Greyhound Racing Victoria v Kipirtidis, [2024] VRT (Victorian Racing Tribunal, illegal substances, for GRV);
Advising a large organization on the operation and their specific obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic);
Alpine Shire Council v Hollow [2019] (MCV, unreported, unled for Council, successfully opposed, question of statutory interpretation);
applications for review under the Migration Act 1953 (Cth) including:
NDBR v Minister for Home Affairs & Anor [2021] FCAFC 170 (Judicial review of decision under s 501 Migration Act (Cth) led by Guy Gilbert SC for the Appellant);
Pereira v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2022] AAT (restricted) (s501 visa cancellation overturned).
Niu v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2023] AAT (s 501 visa cancellation, Obtain financial benefit by deception - $9m ).
Kumar v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2023] FCFCOA (Skilled visa cancellation).
CZS16 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection & Anor [2019] FCCA 3224, (unled)
Lim v Big Watermelon Bushy Park Pty Ltd FCC [2022](General protection claim).
Duran, Aftabzedeh & Zheng v Max Therapy Holdings Pty Ltd FCC [2022] ( Underpayment; sham contracting claim).
Aun v KDRF Holding Pty Ltd & Ors MLG1120/2019 FCC (Underpayment. claim).
Lah v State of Victoria [2022] CI-22-00364 (Intentional torts, resolved at mediation).
Mead & Brotherton v State of Victoria [2023] CI-22-00691 (Intentional tort).
applications for review of decisions at the AAT, for example, under A New Tax System (Famiily Assistance)(Administration) Act 1999 (Cth); Income Tax Assessment Act 1936; and, the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth; VCAT, and for example, VicRoads.
Planning & Environmental law
HVP Plantations Pty Ltd v South Gippsland Shire Council (Gippsland Forest Guardians Inc) [2025] VCAT (FOI merits review of access to timber harvesting plan & audit report; applicant withdrew day prior to hearing and documents released);
HVP Plantations Pty Ltd v South Gippsland Shire Council (Hiscock) [2025] VCAT (FOI merits review);
Advising in relation to illegal land c
Memberships
The Commercial Bar Association
Migration Law Bar Association
International Advocacy Training Committee
Climate Change Section, Commercial Bar
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation. The information referred to above has been supplied by the barrister concerned. Neither Victorian Bar Inc nor the barrister’s clerk have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information and neither accepts any responsibility in that regard.
Specialises in commercial, public, administrative, planning, and environmental law; advises, appears, and mediates across State and Federal jurisdictions, tribunals, and complex statutory matters.
36.18 Ah Ket Chambers, 500 Bourke Street MELBOURNE, VIC 3000
0425 662 727
willem.drent@vicbar.com.au
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