Phillip Leaman

Phillip Leaman has been recognised on the Best Lawyers List for 7 year (2019 – 2025) in the category of Real Property Law and in 2025 in the category of Commercial Law.

Phillip has extensive expert knowledge and experience in:

Owners Corporations Law including acting in domestic building disputes for Owners Corporations

Phillip understands that most disputes involve lot owners who must live together after the dispute is over. Phillip provides practical and strategic advice to Owners Corporations in respect to all types of disputes concerning the Owners Corporations Act 2006, defect claims arising from original building works under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 and disputes between lot owners, contractors and managers. He also assists Owners Corporations in governance and other property law advice required such as interpreting plans of subdivisions, leasing and licensing, adverse possession and dealing with managers and contractors. He acts for Owners Corporations in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.

Adverse possession and fence disputes

Phillip Leaman acted for the successful party in the leading adverse possession case in Victoria Abbatangelo v Whittlesea City Council (in seeking adverse possession) and the leading adverse possession case in Victoria Laming v Jennings (in defending a claim for adverse possession and lost modern grant easement) and has been involved in a substantial number of claims (acting on both sides of the fence) and claims at Land Use Victoria, Magistrates’ Court, County Court, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the High Court of Australia.

Compulsory acquisition

Phillip Leaman has acted for a substantial amount of compulsory acquisition matters on projects such as North East Link, East West Link, Level Crossing Removal Project, Sky rail, Melbourne Metro Rail Project, Dandenong to Caulfield Voluntary Purchase Scheme, council acquisitions for public open space, easements and other projects.

Acting for property developers on:
Structuring advice;
Documenting shareholder, unitholder, joint venture and partnership relationships;
Option deeds;
Development agreements;
Project Management Agreements;
VCAT planning permit applications;
Title issues;
Plans of Subdivision issues;
Loan facilities, mortgages and security interests on the Personal Property Securities Act Register;
Restrictive covenant issues;
Easement issues;
Caveat issues;
Service provider agreements;

Advising real estate agents on Estate Agent Act compliance. See our full list of real estate agent services.

Whether you’re an OC manager or a lot owner, explore the TLFC Owners Corporation Blog Archive for expert insights, case law updates and practical guidance tailored for everyone involved in strata living.

Phillip Leaman was an active member of Scouting for over 15 years as a leader. He is a Queens Scout and Baden Powell Awardee and was an Assistant Scout Leader of the 1st Hoppers Crossing Scout Troop and a member of the Victorian branch Air Activities Team. Phillip’s other interests include scuba diving, golf, flying light aircraft and he has obtained his private pilot’s licence.