Anna Batrouney

Before coming to the Bar, Anna was a Senior Associate in the disputes team of Herbert Smith Freehills in Melbourne. She has also practised in the firm’s London office. Anna was previously an associate to the Hon Justice Crennan AC KC of the High Court of Australia, and also the Legal Research Officer at the High Court of Australia.

During her nine years at Herbert Smith Freehills, Anna worked on a range of complex commercial disputes, with a particular focus on class actions. Her experience also includes regulatory, contract and insurance matters. In 2019, Anna was seconded to National Australia Bank for eight months.

Anna has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (first class honours) from the Australian National University. Anna also has a Masters of Law from the University of Cambridge, which she attended on a Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

Anna has been listed in Doyle’s Guide, Leading Class Actions Law Barristers – Australia, since 2022. She has acted in shareholder, consumer, superannuation, insurance, tort, Migration Act, industrial and franchisee class actions.

Anna read with Jonathan Kirkwood SC and her senior mentor is Wendy Harris KC.

A selection of matters in which Anna has been briefed include:

Class actions and regulatory

• ACCC v Qantas Airways Limited [2024] FCA 1219. Misleading conduct. Led by C Caleo KC and T Spencer Bruce SC. Instructed by Baker & McKenzie.
• Raeken Pty Ltd v James Hardie Industries Plc (Supreme Court, ongoing). Shareholder class action. Led by M Rush KC and K Loxley. Instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills.
• FNH United Pty Ltd v United Petroleum Franchise Pty Ltd (Supreme Court, 2022) (ongoing).Franchisee class action. Led by P Crutchfield KC and S Rosewarne KC. Instructed by King & Wood Mallesons.
• FNH United Pty Ltd v United Petroleum Franchise Pty Ltd (Appeals – Security for costs) [2024] VSC 522; FNH United Pty Ltd v United Petroleum Franchise Pty Ltd[2024] VSC 366;FNH United Pty Ltd v United Petroleum Franchise Pty Ltd [2023] VSC 608.
• Kusmanoff v Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Ltd (Federal Court, 2024) (ongoing). Superannuation / insurance class action. Led by C Caleo KC. Instructed by Allens.
• Janssen v OnePath Custodians Pty Ltd (Federal Court, settled). Superannuation class action. Acted for the third defendant. Led by P Liondas KC. Instructed by Allens.
• Fair Work Ombudsman v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd; Pabalan v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (Federal Court, 2021 (reserved). Underpayments regulatory proceeding/class action. Led by R Doyle SC, M Felman KC, J Kirkwood SC and with B Avallone. Instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills.
• Reilly v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited & Ors (Federal Court, 2022) (settled).Consumer credit insurance class action. Led by M Borsky KC and J Kirkwood KC. Instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills.
• Xiao v The A2 Milk Company Limited (Supreme Court, 2021). Shareholder class action. Led by L Armstrong KC. Instructed by Shine.
• Yasmin v Commonwealth of Australia [2023] FCA 1661.Class action. Negligence, false imprisonment, misfeasance in public office and race discrimination in relation to people smuggling boat crew. Led by K Eastman SC with J Kirkwood SC. Instructed by AGS.
• Hall v Pitcher Partners (a firm) [2022] FCA 1524. Settlement approval. Acting for funder. Led by L Armstrong KC.

Other commercial

• Jabiru Satellite Limited (in liquidation) v Societe Generale(Supreme Court, 2021) (ongoing). Breach of contract. Unconscionable conduct. Led by S Rosewarne KC. Instructed by Allen & Overy Shearman.
• In the matter of Jabiru Satellite Limited (in liq) and NewSat Limited (in liq) [2022] NSWSC 459; Jabiru Satellite Ltd (in liq) (recs & mgrs apptd) v Societe Generale[2022] VSC 521; Jabiru Satellite Limited (In liq) (recs & mgrs apptd) vs Societe Generale (Top up security) [2024] VSC 411
• VicBeef Holdings Pty Ltd & Anor v Chen [2021] VSC 546.Directors’ duties. Led by M Costello. Instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills.
• Karam Investments Pty Ltd v CBRE (V) Pty Ltd & Anor (Supreme Court, 2020) (settled). Professional negligence. Led by Dr A Hanak KC. Instructed by Minter Ellison.
• Kain v Kain[2020] FamCA 650. Privilege. Led by Dr S McNicol KC. Instructed by King & Collins.

*Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation