Michael Bretton

BARRISTER | COMMERCIAL, TAX & CONSTRUCTION LAW

 

Michael Bretton is a Brisbane barrister and member of 19 Inns Chambers with a broad commercial practice. He appears in arbitrations, tribunals, and State and Federal Courts, with particular expertise in revenue law, building and construction disputes, and corporations law.

Michael is a member of 19 Inns Chambers in Brisbane and accepts briefs from solicitors across Australia in commercial, taxation, construction, corporate, and public law matters. He appears both led and unled in arbitrations, tribunals, and superior courts.

Drawing on more than two decades of senior experience in commercial, government, advocacy, transformation, project delivery, risk, and compliance roles, Michael provides practical, commercially focused advice and strong courtroom advocacy.

Beyond his legal practice, Michael is actively involved in professional and community organisations and has served as a board member and director of various companies, bringing valuable governance and leadership insight to his work.

Practice areas

Michael accepts briefs across a wide range of commercial and public law matters, providing strategic advice, dispute resolution, and advocacy from initial instructions through to trial and appeal.

Tax

Advice & advocacy on taxation disputes, objections, & litigation, acting on the instructions of solicitors representing individual & corporate clients.

Building & Construction

Acting in disputes arising from construction contracts, defects, security of payment claims, and related commercial litigation.

Corporations

Appearing in corporate and corporations law matters, including shareholder disputes, director duties, corporate governance issues, and related commercial proceedings.

Public Law

Advising and appearing in matters involving government decision-making, statutory interpretation, administrative law, and regulatory proceedings.

Commercial Litigation

Representing parties in complex commercial disputes, appearing in courts, tribunals, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings across a broad range of business litigation.

Arbitration

Representing parties in domestic and commercial arbitrations, delivering practical and efficient dispute resolution outcomes.

Appellate

Appearing in appellate matters and providing strategic advice on appeals arising from commercial, taxation, construction, and public law disputes.

Insights

Commentary and case notes on developments in tax, building and construction, and commercial law.

ASIC v Bekier: Federal Court Imposes Significant Penalties for Oversight Failures

The Federal Court has imposed significant penalties in ASIC v Bekier, reinforcing the importance of strong corporate governance and directors’ duties.

Bendel in the High Court: A Significant Defeat for the Commissioner's Division 7A Position on Unpaid Present Entitlements

The High Court’s Bendel decision provides important clarity on Division 7A, confirming that unpaid present entitlements are not automatically treated as loans for tax purposes.

Contact

Solicitors seeking to brief Michael, or with an enquiry regarding tax, building and construction, or commercial matters, are welcome to get in touch directly.
Call Michael → 0413 454 413
Email Michael → mb@michaelbretton.com
Postal Address→ 19 Inns Chambers, Level 19, Inns of Court, 107 North Quay, Brisbane QLD 4000

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