Test Cases Issued in the Supreme Court of Victoria
Gordon Legal has issued proceedings arising for the conduct of AMS Ivanhoe Lawyers (AMS) and its late partner, John Adams. Gordon Legal acts for over 50 former clients of AMS who invested in mortgage financing with AMS and lost their investments.
We received instructions to file test cases in the Supreme Court of Victoria on behalf of affected clients. The test cases allege that AMS partners Shane Maguire and Vincent Sier were negligent in their failure to supervise John Adams’ conduct, and that their negligence caused our clients loss.
We have also received instructions from a large number of people to investigate the conduct of AMS Ivanhoe Lawyers and John Adams.
As part of our investigations, we will consider and advise our clients on how to progress their claims.
If you would like further information or assistance, please get in touch.
Update – January 2026
The test cases have also alleged that AMS’s insurer, the Legal Practitioner’s Liability Committee (LPLC), is required to provide insurance cover for claims filed by former AMS clients.
A hearing has been scheduled on 20 February 2026 to decide whether the Court can hear preliminary questions about the scope of insurance cover. If the application is successful, a second hearing will be scheduled to determine whether each of the test case claims should be treated as a separate claim under the insurance policy. The outcome of these hearings will have consequences for former AMS clients.
If you invested with AMS and would like further information or assistance about your claim, please get in touch.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
AMS Ivanhoe Lawyers
What is this litigation about?
We have issued five ‘test case’ proceedings on behalf of our clients. The test cases allege that AMS partners Shane Maguire and Vincent Sier were negligent in their failure to supervise John Adams’ conduct, and that their negligence caused our clients loss
The test cases also allege that each client is entitled to separate cover under AMS’s insurance policy.
What outcomes are we seeking?
Some people provided large sums of money to AMS.
We received instructions from over 50 clients who provided money to AMS and listened to their stories.
We have already investigated the legal options available to our clients and other people who have lost their money.
The Lawyer’s Fidelity Fund, which usually provides cover where client funds are lost, does not cover money given to lawyers for investments or mortgage financing. This means that people who gave money to AMS will need to consider other legal options to recover their funds.
Proceedings have now been issued on behalf of our test case applicants, to seek to recover their lost funds.
Will there be a class action?
We do not intend to file a class action at this stage. We have received instructions to file legal proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria on behalf of individual clients.
Am I eligible to register?
If you gave money to AMS and you have concerns that it may not be able to be recovered, please contact us for advice on your legal options.