Peter Barakate
Peter is an Accredited Specialist in Property Law. He is highly regarded for his unparalleled technical knowledge of NSW property law and practical experience across the diverse spectrum of property transactions occurring in business and in government.
One of Peter’s main areas of practice is acting for state-owned corporations and local government authorities on compulsory acquisitions of freehold land and easements. Peter brings to this work a deep understanding of the complex legislative and procedural environment in which each of his government clients operate, including local government, electricity, water, and transport.
In addition to acquisitions, Peter acts for developers and government authorities on the sale of land and is proficient with drafting put and call option deeds and dealing with issues of land contamination.
Another niche area of practice for Peter is the law of easements, covenants and restrictions on use, subdivisions, caveats and issues relating to public roads and Crown land. In his work with Crown land, Peter advises clients on Aboriginal land claims and Native title and has appeared in the Federal Court in non-claimant applications.
Peter is called to provide expert evidence in professional negligence cases and frequently speaks at industry events on a diverse range of property transactions including compulsory acquisitions, public-private partnerships and Crown land.
Peter’s standing within the profession is demonstrated by his regular inclusion in the peer reviewed leading practitioner list Best Lawyers™ Australia where he has been recognised for Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Property Law and also in Doyles Guide™ as a recommended Leading Property & Real Estate Lawyer.
Experience
Peter’s experience includes acting for:
- Hornsby Shire Council on the drafting and negotiation of a project agreement and lease to RMS to fill the Hornsby Quarry with spoil from the NorthConnex tunnel;
- Cumberland City Council on the acquisition by agreement and compulsory process of a row of seven properties for the expansion of Auburn Park;
- Sydney Water Corporation on multiple compulsory acquisitions, the exercise of its statutory powers, the sale of surplus land, and successfully negotiating the release of obsolete easements affecting key assets of the corporation;
- City of Ryde on development and acquisition of a community centre pursuant to a voluntary planning agreement in a mixed use development, involving a stratum subdivision and a heavily negotiated building management statement;
- Endeavour Energy and Sydney Water Corporation on the compulsory acquisition of easements for critical infrastructure; and
- Bayside Council on the staged subdivision of Discovery Point, Wolli Creek, including on the stratum plans, development lots for subsequent strata subdivision, easements, covenants and restrictions, strata management statements, community plans and community management statements.