Partner
Litigation
Elizabeth heads up the firm's Litigation team, responsible for Summer Lawyers' most significant contested matters. She brings over 15 years’ experience to complex commercial litigation, enforcement and appellate disputes.
Elizabeth is known for her strategic thinking, meticulous preparation and ability to simplify complex legal issues into clear, effective litigation strategy. She acts in high-stakes disputes involving mortgage enforcement, securities, guarantees, priority disputes, insolvency and commercial recoveries, regularly managing matters through trial and appeal.
With an approach that is analytical, disciplined and outcome-focused, she combines rigorous legal analysis with a strong understanding of her clients’ commercial objectives, ensuring strategy remains aligned to the result that matters most. Within the firm, she is recognised for her technical capability, leadership and unwavering commitment to protecting lender interests when matters become contested.
Recent experience includes successful outcomes in City Garden, GEMI, A1 Catering and ProLend, where she played a leading role in developing and executing litigation strategy, preserving lender security positions and securing favourable outcomes for clients at both first instance and appellate level.
Key cases/experience – representative matters
City Garden Australia Pty Ltd v Meng Dai (NSWSC 1498; NSWCA 238)
Loans and mortgages were challenged for lack of authority after a director caused the company to enter transactions benefiting a related entity. The Court upheld the securities using the statutory assumptions in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), confirming the mortgages were valid and enforceable at trial and on appeal.
A1 Catering Services Pty Ltd v Manassen Holdings Pty Ltd (NSWSC 178; NSWSC 530)
The Court considered whether a mortgagee could retain $300,000 in surplus sale proceeds as security for anticipated enforcement and litigation costs. The mortgage terms permitted retention, and the mortgagee successfully preserved the fund and obtained indemnity costs.
GEMI 169 Pty Ltd v Suria Global (L) Pty Ltd; Shamoon v F & L Violi Pty Ltd (No 9) (NSWSC 975; NSWCA 94)
The Court upheld the enforceability of mortgages, guarantees and equitable charges despite allegations challenging their validity. The securities remained enforceable, and the subsequent appeal was summarily dismissed.
ProLend Solutions No 50 Pty Ltd v Monaco Solicitors Pty Ltd (QCA 68)
A dispute between first and second mortgagees over priority of recovery. The Queensland Court of Appeal held that the Deed of Priority entitled the first mortgagee to recover post-default completion costs, interest and associated expenses ahead of the second mortgagee.
Admissions
Admitted, Supreme Court of NSW, 2011
Memberships / Associations / Affiliations
Law Society of NSW
Australian Insurance Law Association (AILA)
Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association (ARITA)
Elizabeth Debono
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