Gregory Tolhurst

Professor Gregory Tolhurst is a leading scholar at The University of Sydney Law School, specializing in Commercial Law. He serves as Professor of Commercial Law and holds significant professional roles including CEO of the Australian Bar Association and consultant at Gilbert and Tobin. His editorial responsibilities include the Contract and Commercial Law Review and Commercial Law Quarterly. Dr. Tolhurst returned to academia in 2021 after serving as Executive Director of the NSW Bar Association (2016-2021).

His research focuses extensively on intersections between contract law and personal property, with emphasis on bailment, sales of goods, and intangible asset transactions. Key areas include:

• Contract formation and restitution principles
• Banking law and financial instruments
• Commercial dispute resolution frameworks
• Legal implications of assignment rights

Recent publications demonstrate sustained focus on contract discharge mechanisms, restitutionary remedies, and commercial law pedagogy. His 2023 works advance understanding of contract formation practices and restitution causes of action, continuing his trajectory of impactful doctrinal analysis.

Professor Tolhurst mentors graduate researchers including Graeme Dennis (renewable energy contracts) and Stephen Puttick (reliance-based liability models). His leadership extends to directorship at Humane Society International Australia, integrating legal expertise with social advocacy.