Kathryn St. John

Expertise

Kathryn is a dual-qualified lawyer with experience in multiple jurisdictions and in matters where there is a cross-jurisdictional element. She is admitted to legal practice in Australia (in both federal and Victorian jurisdictions) and England & Wales.  

Kathryn is recognised for her work on complex, high-value disputes involving insolvency, trusts and cross-border issues. She has particular experience in obtaining urgent and interim relief, including applications restraining winding-up petitions and for freezing injunctions. Since joining the Dispute Resolution & Litigation group, she has acted in a high-profile federal matter for which she has provided strategic litigation advice, including as to enforcement.

Previously, Kathryn was an Associate at the Supreme Court of Victoria where she gained extensive experience in matters in the Trusts, Equity and Probate List, as well as the Testators Family Maintenance List. Her experience as an Associate gives her valuable insight into case management and judicial decision-making.

Experience

Since being admitted to practice, Kathryn has had a broad range of experience, including:

Trusts, equity and probate disputes

• advising as to whether a power of appointment in certain trust deeds in the Isle of Man permitted appointment of trust property on proposed new trusts
• assisting in drafting a response to a request for further information in a multi-million pound family trust case where there were serious questions about the authenticity of the trust deed.

Insolvency and statutory demand litigation

• assisting with applications for injunctions (preventing the presentation and advertising of winding up petitions)/set aside applications in response to service of statutory demands.

Commercial litigation

• acting for the Commonwealth in a significant matter which has involved detailed drafting and legal research and analysis.

Injunctions and urgent court applications

• assisting in drafting submissions used to successfully obtain an injunction against persons threatening to enter and occupy land
• drafting submissions requiring that a respondent file and serve evidence in response to a freezing injunction which restricted him from dealing with his property.

Shareholder and director disputes

• assisting in a complex property case involving an option agreement to buy and develop land and in which there were significant commercial/corporate conflicts and apparent breaches of directors’ duties.

Cross-border and offshore disputes (Africa, Australia, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands & Isle of Man and United Kingdom)

• assisting with preparation for a 10-day trial in a $100m (USD) shareholder oppression case in the Cayman Islands, including by assisting with the drafting of submissions.