Admitted to practice in 1981, Geoff Bourhill spent the first five years of his professional life acting for plaintiffs in personal injury claims in the areas of workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, public liability and motor vehicle accidents. In 1985, he joined Lavan Solomon (soon to become Philips Fox) and was made a partner in 1987. Over the following 19 years at Phillips Fox, and a further four years following its transition to Lavan Legal, he acted for many workers’ compensation, public liability and CTP insurers in Australia. Mr Bourhill also developed a practice in professional indemnity claims, acting for the insurers of doctors, hospitals and lawyers. In 2010, he joined Tottle Partners and in July 2016, he commenced practise as an independent barrister at Francis Burt Chambers. Before joining the Bar, Mr Bourhill was a member of the legal panels of Insurance Commission of WA, MDA Insurance, Transport Accident Commission, and formerly Law Mutual and SGIO/CGU. He has appeared as counsel in numerous trials, inquests and appeals. Mr Bourhill has been a solicitor, and in several instances a trial counsel, in a number of matters that have ultimately been determined by the High Court. He has a particular interest in the assessment of damages in catastrophic claims, policy coverage under compulsory third party insurance schemes, medical negligence claims and asbestos claims. He is a member of the Law Society’s Courts Committee.
