Dominic Lay

Special Counsel

WorkCover

Hi my name is Dominic Lay.

I completed my Arts/Law degree at Monash University in 1989 and undertook Articles at Hall & Wilcox in 1990. After Articles I "fell into" personal injuries litigation and for almost 20 years now I have acted for the 2 main statutory compensation schemes in Victoria.

In about 1992 I joined a firm called "Coltmans". It was there I met John Corridon and Steve Jacobs. Through many trials and tribulations, change and amalgamations, we have kept in touch and I am very proud to be joining them once again at Wisewould Mahony.

In March 1998, I joined TAC Law. The TAC had decided to in-source its litigation in late 1997 and I saw this as an exciting opportunity to be part of something quite radical and new. Whilst acting for the TAC I was fortunate enough to be involved in a number of Court of Appeal matters, including Cancarevic which finally determined whether an issue estoppel could be created by a Tribunal decision. I was also asked to advise the Commission on the impact that amendments to the Act would have on certain benefit types and litigation and I was asked to comment on proposed amendments to the Act and how they might impact the scheme.

I have had the opportunity to represent my clients as a member of various Supreme and County Court committees and liaison groups and the Law Institute's TAC committee. As a member of the County Court's Damages List committee and the Law Institute's TAC committee, I was asked to prepare submissions to the Court regarding O42A subpoenas. I suggested amendments to the Rules and the court's practice note. Some of my suggestions were adopted by the court. I was also part of a sub-committee working on court book indexes.

In 2003 I successfully sat the accreditation exam and am an accredited specialist in personal injuries law and a member of the Law Institute's Accreditation committee. Studying for the accreditation exam reinvigorated my interest in tort based litigation.

• Areas of Expertise
• Industrial accident litigation
• Transport accident litigation
• AMA Guides litigation
• Statutory benefits litigation

I am fortunate to practise in an area of law that I'm passionate about and for an informed and enthusiastic client.

I have returned to private practise after 10 years with the TAC and I am thrilled to be at a dynamic and young firm, and working with dedicated and committed colleagues.