Mick Batskos
Executive Director
About
Mick has over 34 years’ experience acting for government departments and agencies at all
levels. That includes Commonwealth agencies, State government departments, statutory
authorities and local councils. Mick has appeared or instructed in hundreds of proceedings
in areas including freedom of information, privacy, appeals, and judicial review in:
Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Federal District Court (formerly Federal Magistrates Court)
Federal Court
High Court
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Supreme Court of Victoria
Victorian Court of Appeal.
Mick is the Executive Director of our accredited specialist firm in administrative law. He received a Law Institute of Victoria Certificate of Service in 2005 for demonstrated professional excellence and making a special contribution to the legal profession in the area of administrative law.
Areas of Expertise
Freedom of information
Privacy
Public interest (protected) disclosures
Other administrative law
- Statutory interpretation and lawful decision making
- Natural justice
- Integrity bodies (Ombudsman, Information
Commissioners, Anti-corruption bodies, etc) - Merits review
- Judicial review and appeals
Professional Experience
Privacy
Appearing in numerous tribunal proceedings
Advising on possible breaches and dealing with Commissioners
Investigating possible breaches
Advising on legal compliance and procedures
Training agency officers and staff
Qualifications
Honours Degree of Bachelor of Laws, Monash University, 1988 (Honours thesis on Freedom of Information)
Bachelor of Economics, Monash University, 1986
Admitted to Practice, Supreme Court of Victoria 1989
Admitted to Practice, High Court of Australia 1988
Accredited Specialist in Administrative Law, October 2013
Office holder and memberships including:
- Chairperson of Administrative Review/Constitutional Law Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria (March 2006 - 2007), (2016 to 2022); Member (1991 to date)
- Former Chairperson, Victorian Chapter, Australian Institute of Administrative Law (1996 to 2000), Secretary (1992-5), Committee Member (1995-6), Member of the AIAL since inception in 1989
- Member of Executive Committee of the Administrative Law and Human Rights Section of the Law Institute of Victoria (1991-1994, 1998 to 2012, 2016 to date), Deputy Chairperson (1994 to 1998)
- Chairperson of Administrative Review/Constitutional Law Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria (March 2006 - 2007), (2016 to date); Member (1991 to March 2006, 2008 to 2010), (2016 to date)
FOI
Appearing or instructing in numerous tribunal and court proceedings at all levels
Advising agencies on all aspects of access requests and reviews of decisions
Training agency decision-makers on FOI processes
Developing agency FOI procedures manuals
Public interest (protected) disclosures
Advising agencies
Developing policies and procedures
Other administrative law
- statutory interpretation and lawful decision making
- advising government agencies
- advising and training on good decision making and statements of reasons
- persuading tribunals to adopt new interpretations of statutory provisions
- natural justice
- advising government agencies
- developing procedures, guidelines and training material on University student misconduct legislation
- integrity bodies
- advising clients or individual staff on dealings with integrity bodies
- merits review
- advising clients on all aspects and strategy
- conducting merits review proceedings
- judicial review and appeals
- conducting judicial review proceedings
- conducting appeals from merits review Tribunals
Mick Testimonial
Mick is a dedicated and trusted legal advisor who is genuinely expert in the field of FOI and administrative law.” (University Solicitor)
“Mick and his team at FOI Solutions have provided me expert advice over many years on FOI and other matters. FOI Solutions are the first call we make when difficult or unusual requests are received. The training provided and regular updates ensure we are always current in our knowledge, and the staff at FOI Solutions are always pleasant, very punctual, and the advice received is always excellent value for money. I have no hesitation in recommending Mick and the team at FOI Solutions for FOI matters.” (Board Director at Water Authority and a Catchment Management Authority)
“Mick is an Administrative Law expert who has provided excellent advice and professional support to my organisation for a number of years. His expertise, strategic approach and understanding of our business has proved to be invaluable in advising and guiding us with complex and sensitive issues. (Council Governance Co-ordinator)
