Sophia Michailides

Specialising in planning and environmental law, Sophia advises on a wide range of matters and has extensive experience in planning disputes, including merits review hearings, variation and removal of restrictive covenants, drafting planning agreements, amending planning permits, heritage and aboriginal cultural heritage.

Sophia is an experienced advocate and instructing solicitor at planning hearings in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

A qualified town planner with over 13 years’ experience working for councils, Sophia has a comprehensive understanding of the development process. When advising clients, she draws on her town planning experience combined with legal knowledge to deliver efficient and successful outcomes.

Experience

Sophia’s experience includes:

• Advising and representing clients (applicants and objectors) on planning issues, including applications for planning permits, existing use rights, planning prosecutions and enforcement orders.
• Appearances before VCAT and Planning Panels Victoria, including drafting written submissions and calling and cross-examination of expert witnesses.
• Briefing Counsel and expert witnesses in proceedings before VCAT, Planning Panels and Advisory Committees.
• Preparing, amending and ending of Section 173 Agreements.
• Due diligence on the acquisition of development sites, including advising on planning, environment, land-use risk and development issues.
• Advising clients on infrastructure requirements for developments, including development contributions agreements.
• Advising clients in respect of remediation of, and risks associated with the development of, contaminated land.
• Advising clients in relation to the interpretation, enforceability and beneficiaries of restrictive covenants, implied easements and assisting with applications for removal and variation of restrictive covenants.
• Preparing Memorandum of Common Provisions, land-use agreements and Owners Corporation rules to regulate the use of land on title.
• Advising clients in relation to compulsory land acquisitions.