Marcus has more than 25 years’ advocacy experience in a range of jurisdictions and courts, including 13 years with the Commonwealth DPP and 13 years at the Bar in the ACT. Marcus accepts briefs in a range of matters including commercial, administrative law (planning, revenue, ADJR, others), financial crime, inquiries and coronials and environmental law. Marcus was previously the CDPP’s principal lawyer responsible for federal proceeds of crime proceedings, and maintains a specific interest in this area.
Each year between 2021 and 2025, Marcus has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Barrister in the ACT.
Marcus was the President of the ACT Bar Association from 2023-2024.
Marcus is also a retired soccer referee.
Called to the Bar
2011
Admission as a legal practitioner
1994
Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Australian National University
1994
Phone
02 6130 0560
hassall@blackburnchambers.com.au
Practice areas
Appellate
Commercial law
Criminal law
Family law
Inquests and inquiries
Proceeds of crime
Public / Administrative law
Town planning and development
Cases
- Millington v Peach (No 2) [2025] ACTSC 21. Appeared unled in human rights and administrative law proceedings relating to transfer of ACT detainee to NSW correctional facility.
- Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police v HWCJ GLB Pty Ltd (No 2) [2024] NSWSC 482. Appeared unled in application to exclude property from restraint under Proceeds of Crime Act 2022 (Cth).
- Wu v Wu [2024] ACTCA 29. Appeared for respondent unled in hearing regarding consequential orders to be made following setting aside of historical transfer of ACT residential property.
- Wu v Wu [2024] ACTCA 8 & [2022] ACTSC 360. Appeared for first defendant/respondent (led by Philip Walker SC) in both trial and appeal in common law and equity proceedings to set aside historical transfer of ACT residential property.
- Su v 5 Blackman Cres Macquarie Pty Ltd [2022] ACTCA 62. Appeared unled for respondent in contested application for leave to appeal from interlocutory case management decision of ACTSC dismissing proceedings for non-compliance with court directions.
- O’Mara Holdings Pty Ltd v The Patch Australia Pty Ltd [2023] FCAFC 154 & [2022] FCA 366. Appeared for respondents (unled) in both trial and appeal regarding alleged misleading or deceptive conduct under Australian Consumer Law.
- Scentre Management Ltd v Planning and Land Authority [2021] ACTSC 171. Appeared for respondent (led by Tom Howard SC) in judicial review proceedings relating to planning approval for proposed Belconnen Markets redevelopment.
- Village No 22 Pty Ltd v Planning and Land Authority of the ACT [2021] ACAT 43. Appeared as lead counsel for respondent in merits review proceedings relating to proposed $110 million estate development.
- Song & Ors v Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police [2019] VSCA 206. Appeared for applicant (unled) in application for extension of time to appeal the making of restraining orders under Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth).
- Capital Recycling Solutions Pty Ltd v ACT Planning and Land Authority [2019] ACTSC 58. Appeared for applicant (led by Tom Howard SC) in application for judicial review of decision of Planning & Land Authority purporting to revoke previous development approval.
- DPP (ACT) v Booth (2018) 13 ACTLR 38. Appeared unled for interested party in DPP reference appeal concerning the interpretation of “prejudicial effect” in subs 101(2) of the Evidence Act 2011 (ACT).
- Director of Public Prosecutions (ACT) v DL [2018] ACTCA 61. Appeared unled for interested party in DPP reference appeal concerning meaning of “prejudicial effect” in s 101(2) of Uniform Evidence Acts where prejudice relates to conduct of defence of other proceedings.
- Commissioner of Australian Federal Police v Karmadonov and Ors (QSC 18/5/18 & 12/8/16 – restricted publications). Appeared for respondents (led by Peter Davis QC) in applications for declarations concerning the conduct of compulsory examinations under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth).
- Dunn v Hanson Australasia Pty Ltd & Ors [2017] ACTSC 169; (2017) 12 ACTLR 138. Appeared for plaintiffs (unled) in claim for damages for defective residential building work involving breaches of statutory warranties implied by Building Act 2004 (ACT), misleading or deceptive conduct contrary to Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) & proportionate liability issues.
Publications
- It’s not (just) my fault: Proportionate liability provisions in the ACT. ACT Law Society, October 2018.
- Gone in 60 seconds: statutory forfeiture in the ACT. Ethos, February 2017.
- Affidavits that support your cause of action. Legalwise, March 2014.
- Setting aside statutory demands. ACT Law Society, February 2014.
- Compulsory examinations and the right to a fair trial. NSW Bar News, January 2014.