Michael France, Senior Consultant Mangioni Biggs + Co

Mike France

Bachelor of Commerce (UNSW),
Bachelor of Laws (UNSW)

Senior Consultant
Insolvency  |  Litigation
mfrance@mbclawyers.au
Michael was admitted as a solicitor in 1981 and worked with Brown & Partners for 19 years. While specialising there in insolvency and commercial litigation, he also practised extensively in family law, criminal law, workers compensation, personal injury and conveyancing. Michael has a diverse skill set.

Michael joined Watson Mangioni in 2000, and Mangioni Biggs + Co from inception in 2023, continuing to practise primarily in insolvency-related matters and commercial litigation.

In that work, Michael acts for a number of company liquidators and bankruptcy trustees, as well as for a range of corporate and commercial clients. He regularly advises creditors, debtors, company directors and insolvency practitioners on all aspects of corporate and personal insolvency.

Michael conducts commercial litigation and insolvency matters in all jurisdictions. He has particular expertise in matters arising under the Bankruptcy Act, in addition to Corporations Act matters, including company arrangements and reconstructions, and recovering property or compensation for the benefit of creditors of insolvent companies through uncommercial dealing, insolvent trading, phoenixing and similar claims.

For work/life balance, Michael is an avid supporter of the North Sydney Bears rugby league team, and tries to surf as much as possible at Long Reef beach.

Experience

Michael’s past significant High Court matters have included:

  • Acting for the liquidator in successfully defending a claim by a supplier of steel, in Associated Alloys Pty Ltd v ACN ... Pty Ltd (in Liquidation) & Anor [2000] HCA 25 (which defined the law with regard to retention of title clauses, known as ‘Romalpa Clauses’).
  • Acting for the recipient to successfully resist a notice issued by a bankruptcy trustee pursuant to Section 139ZQ of the Bankruptcy Act, in Vale v Sutherland [2009] HCA 26.
  • Acting for Grant Samuel Corporate Finance in successfully defending a substantial preference claim by the liquidators of Octaviar, in Grant Samuel Corporate Finance Pty Ltd v Fletcher [2015] HCA 8.

Client Testimonial

Memberships + Offices
  • Member of the Law Society of New South Wales.
  • Admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia.
  • Past member of the Insolvency Practitioners Association of Australia (IPAA) (for more than 20 years).
  • Member of the Long Reef Boardriders Club and the Long Reef Golf Club.
Awards + Recognitions