Portfolio Overview
5 active matters · Last refreshed 1 May 2026, 7:42am
⚡ Active Alerts
2 critical · 1 warning
262112 · Coastal Developments — Statutory demand response due in 8 days
2h ago
262001 · Hartwell Group v Chen — Disclosure list due in 14 days, expert not briefed
5h ago
262089 · McKenzie Industries v Pettegree — No activity for 12 days
1d ago
Active Matters
5
▲ 1 since last week
Total WIP
$84,720
▲ 12.4% MoM
Avg. Merit Score
7.5/10
— no change
Critical Gaps
7
▲ 2 since last review
MATTER 262001
Hartwell Group v Chen
Hartwell Group Pty Ltd · Plaintiff
A
Oppression · s 232
AMBER
Phase 4 — Interlocutory4 / 8
7.2
Merit7.2
4.5
Risk4.5
8.1
Comm.8.1
MATTER 262045
Liquidator of Zenith Pty Ltd
BL acting for Liquidator (J. Stevens)
A
Unfair Preference · s 588FA
GREEN
Phase 3 — Proceedings3 / 8
8.5
Merit8.5
3.0
Risk3.0
6.8
Comm.6.8
MATTER 262089
McKenzie Industries v Pettegree
McKenzie Industries Pty Ltd · Plaintiff
B
Restraint of Trade
AMBER
Phase 4 — Interlocutory4 / 8
6.5
Merit6.5
5.5
Risk5.5
5.2
Comm.5.2
MATTER 262112
Coastal Developments — Statutory Demand
Coastal Developments Pty Ltd · Recipient
A
Statutory Demand · s 459G
RED
Phase 2 — Pre-Litigation2 / 8
7.8
Merit7.8
6.0
Risk6.0
7.5
Comm.7.5
MATTER 262176
Wave Air Trust — Appointor Dispute
Wave Air Trust · Trustee
—
Trust Dispute · Trusts Act 2025
INTAKE
Phase 1 — Intake1 / 8
—
Merit—
—
Risk—
—
Comm.—
Matter 262001 · Hartwell Group v Chen
Oppression Proceedings · Supreme Court of Queensland · BS 1234/2026
Oppression · s 232 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
AMBER
Priority Grade A
Hartwell Group Pty Ltd v Chen & Ors
AssignedMark Harley · Principal
Last Activity28 April 2026
Next DeadlineDisclosure list · 15 May 2026 (14d)
WIP$18,450
Trust Balance$15,000
Litigation Phase
Phase 4 of 8 — Interlocutory
Case Ranking
Composite priority score and underlying merit/risk/commercial assessment
7.2/10
Merit
Strong evidentiary foundation
4.5/10
Risk · inverted
Moderate; lower is better
8.1/10
Commercial
Solvent client, recoverable
Composite Priority
7.4
GRADE A
Merit Breakdown
Risk Breakdown
Element Tracker — s 232 Cause of Action
Each element of the oppression claim mapped to evidentiary support
| Element | Status | Evidence | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conduct of affairs | ✓ Supported | Board minutes, emails, witness | 8/10 |
| Affairs of the company | ✓ Supported | ASIC records, constitution | 7/10 |
| Contrary to interests of members | ⚠ Partial | Share valuations needed | 6/10 |
| Oppressive / unfairly prejudicial | ✓ Supported | Dividend history, salary records | 8/10 |
| Standing (s 234) | ✓ Confirmed | Share certificate | 9/10 |
Evidence Inventory
6 items · 4 in hand · 1 critical gap · Weighted scoring per Wigmore taxonomy
| ID | Description | Type | Rel. | Reli. | Adm. | Wt. | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E001 | Board minutes 2024–2025 | Documentary | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.8 | ✓ In hand |
| E002 | Chen email re dividends 12/03/25 | Electronic | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.3 | ✓ In hand |
| E003 | Independent valuation report | Expert | 4 | — | — | — | — | ● NOT OBTAINED |
| E004 | Witness statement — J. Hartwell | Testimonial | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3.8 | ⚠ Draft |
| E005 | Company financials 2022–2025 | Documentary | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 | ✓ In hand |
| E006 | Share transfer documents | Documentary | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4.0 | ⚠ Requested |
Timeline & Key Events
Procedural history and forward calendar
15 January 2026
Instructions received from J. Hartwell — file opened
2 February 2026
Originating Application and Statement of Claim filed (BS 1234/2026)
28 February 2026
Defence received from Thomson Geer Lawyers
15 March 2026
Reply filed — joinder of issue confirmed
1 April 2026
Directions hearing — disclosure ordered, mediation date set
→ 15 May 2026 · DUE
Disclosure list under UCPR Pt 1 of Ch 7 — 14 days remaining
→ 30 June 2026
Mediation (court-ordered) · QLS-accredited mediator
→ TBC
Trial — listing application after mediation
🔍 Gap Analysis
Outstanding items by severity
Critical
Independent valuation not obtained — needed for quantum and "contrary to interests" element
Critical
Expert accounting evidence on dividend policy — not yet briefed
Warning
Witness statement J. Hartwell still in draft — needs finalising before disclosure
Warning
No authority identified for "salary in lieu of dividends" as oppressive conduct
OK
All UCPR procedural steps current
OK
Limitation period not in issue (proceedings filed within time)
⚡ What Needs to Happen Next
Prioritised by urgency · 6 open items
1
🔴 Brief expert valuer — URGENT
2
🔴 Brief forensic accountant re dividend analysis
3
🟡 Finalise Hartwell witness statement
4
🟡 Research "salary in lieu of dividends" oppression authorities
5
🟢 Prepare disclosure list
6
🟢 Prepare mediation position paper
💼 Financial Summary
WIP, billing & trust position
WIP
$18,450
Billed
$12,000
Collected
$12,000
Trust Balance
$15,000
WIP vs estimate
$18,450 / $80,000–$120,000 · 23%
✓ s 315 alert: No — within disclosed estimate. No top-up disclosure required.