Paul Bingham

Paul Bingham is a barrister having practised at the Victorian Bar since 1991. 

He was admitted as a solicitor in 1982. Paul is the co-author of the Credit 

Handbook and contributor to Fitzroy Legal Service Handbook. He practises in 

superannuation and insurance, financial advice, administrative, building, 

credit, banking, finance and general commercial law and was a member of the 

Social Security Appeals Tribunal and the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal 

Paul was previously a Financial Counsellor, Solicitor, University Lecturer and 

Ministerial Adviser. In 2013 he was awarded the 2013 Victorian Bar Pro Bono 

Trophy for his extraordinary commitment to advocacy for low income and 

vulnerable consumers

Paul and I talk about:

 The class system in England and why he came to Australia 

 Being terrified by the late Professor Sandford “Sandy” Clark at 

Melbourne university an expert in water law 

 Landing his first job (as a financial counsellor) wearing his father’s 

safari suit 

 How working as a financial counsellor brought him back to the law

 Having a strong sense that the law was an instrument of oppression

 How a common vision of using the law to fight for low income rights led

to the establishment of the Consumer credit legal service 

 why locating the first office in the metal workers building was useful

 How its possible for very different personalities to work together if you 

have the same vision 

 Running the Household licensing case with Denis Nelthorpe and 

winning against two Queens Counsel and 3 juniors. 3 of his opponents 

were future judges. Stephen Charles KC OA who served on the 

Supreme Court of Victoria 1995 to 2006 David Habersberger KC who 

served on the Supreme Court of Victoria 2001 to 2013

 Working as an advisor in the Joan Kirner government and how a 

cabinet reshuffle meant you were out of a job

 Training as a barrister

 How he got into challenging trustee and insurer decisions under 

superannuation policies.

 How insurers have made it really difficult for people to claim under their 

superannuation policies for disablement

 Initially jurisprudence favoured insurers but over time there has been a 

more balance approach

 How the insurance industry managed to get a revision of the insurance 

contracts Act (1984) in 2013 that considerably cut back consumer 

rights s commented on in the Haynes Royal commission 

 How the lack of consumer advocacy in this area as well as the power 

of the insurance industry allowed the industry to have the law changed 

to benefit the industry at the expense of consumers. , 

 One of the reasons why insurers wanted to law changed was that they 

had underpriced policies because they thought people would nor claim  

 the definition of “activities of daily living” are an issue in life 

policies 

 How covid has redefined his practice. Giving up his chambers after 15 

years.

 His view that mediations, trials and the practice of a barrister can 

largely be conducted online

 Genuinely being very fond of his solicitors who give him work, being 

flexible and available and not charging for every piece of work if they 

just want to discuss something as a means of building great 

relationships

If you want to find out more about Paul contact him through linkedin or drop 

me a line through the website www.lorettakreet.com.

#paulbingham #victoriabar #legalpodcast #lunchingwithlawers #lorettakreet #barrister 

#superannuation #insurancelaw