WILL PUNIVALU
Principal/Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation
Moving from Samoa with his mum and sisters in 2000 was a big step for Will, but one he more than ably took in his stride. His subsequent studies following high school included a double-degree Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts qualification, followed by a Commercial Litigation specialisation. On the Arts side of his degree, Will majored in International Relations, an area that still fascinates him, but the law, particularly Dispute Resolution, is a vocation that keeps him coming back with fresh dedication.
A Principal at Whyte Just and Moore since 2017, Will has a particular interest in insolvency and bankruptcy, but also practices in contractual disputes, property disputes, trust disputes, trade practices and commercial debt recovery.
Known in the office as approachable and diligent, at home Will is relaxed and generous with his time – often even giving in when his kids wake him up at 5.30am to play games. The rest of the weekend will likely then involve more family time – perhaps a picnic in the park, time set aside for his faith, and possibly an energetic and competitive (but completely amicable!) game of social netball. When travel restrictions allow, Will is keen to take his family to Papua New Guinea to visit the village where his grandfather was born.
Areas of Practise:
Dispute Resolution:
- Contractual disputes
- Insolvency and bankruptcy
- Property disputes
- Trust disputes
- Debt recovery
- Retail leasing and commercial tenancy disputes; and building and construction disputes
Business Law:
- Sale and purchase of businesses
- Drafting terms and conditions
- Drafting general business agreements
- Retail and commercial leasing
- General trust documents
Property Law
- Property Development including Joint Venture and Development Agreements
- Subdivisions (including Owners Corporation and Section 32 Subdivisions) and “Off the Plan” Transactions
- Sale and purchase of residential, commercial, industrial and rural property
- Property transfers between family members, associated persons and self managed superannuation funds
- Owners Corporations issues
- Planning permit and zoning issues
- Loan agreements and mortgages
- Advice on the impact of stamp duty, GST, capital gains tax, tax concessions and land tax in property transactions
- Retail and Commercial Leasing acting for Landlords and Tenant
- Electronic conveyancing
- Elder Law advice including entry into and exit from retirement villages, lifestyle villages and aged care facilities
- Advice on General Law (and its conversion), adverse possession and possessory title, covenants, easements, Section 173 Agreements and other restrictions on land
- Licence agreements and farm leases
- Option agreements and tender agreements
Qualifications:
- Admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Arts (majoring in International Relations)
- Advanced Certification in Insolvency with the Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association (ARITA)
- Member of the Law Institute of Victoria – Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation
- Member of the Geelong Law Association