Simon Ower KC
Simon Ower KC practises in civil, commercial and public law. He has particular expertise in administrative law, constitutional law, equity, trusts and estates, private international law and human rights.
Simon commenced practice as a barrister in 2002 and he was appointed Senior Counsel in 2016 and Queen’s Counsel in 2019.
In addition to his practice at the South Australian Bar, he is a member of Young’s List, Melbourne and the Victorian Bar.
He has significant experience at both trial and appellate level, and now practises across all Australian jurisdictions and internationally.
Simon has represented clients in a number of high profile cases challenging government action involving difficult issues of public law and policy.
In the area of wills and estates, Simon has been recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Wills and Estate Senior Counsel in Australia (since 2017) and a preeminent one in South Australia (since 2016). In this regard, he has advised and appeared in many trials and appeals as to the substantial validity of wills (including testamentary capacity), estate administration, family provision and will construction.
He has also advised and appeared in private international law succession disputes concerning the laws of Indonesia, Italy, Florida, and the People’s Republic of China. He has previously been accredited as a mediator under the National Mediator Accreditation System.
He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the Australian Association of Constitutional Law and the Australian Institute of Administrative Law. Since 2020, Simon has been the deputy presiding member of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (South Australia). He regularly gives presentations at professional development conferences.
Prior to commencing practice, Simon was an Associate to the Federal Court of Australia (Sackville J), Sydney, 2000-2001. He then worked for a period as a commercial litigation solicitor.
Practice Areas
Administrative Law
Commercial Litigation
Common Law/Insurance
Constitutional Law
Defamation, Media, Entertainment
Equity and Trusts
Family Law
Human Rights
Judicial Review
Family Law
Mediations, Arbitrations
Migration, Immigration, Citizenship
Private International Law
Wills, Estates, Family Provision
MEMBERSHIP AND APPOINTMENTS
Member, South Australian Bar Association
Member, Victorian Bar
Member, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
Member, Australian Institute of Administrative Law
Member, Australian Association of Constitutional Law
Deputy Presiding Member, Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal