Murray 's principal area of expertise is property, planning, environment , local government , native title and Crown land law .
Murray acts and has acted in complex and successful appeals at the Victoria Civil and Administrative Tribunal, rezoning panel hearings and environmental effects enquiries for authorities, proponents and objectors. Murray's planning and local government expertise includes the interpretation of planning schemes, statutory interpretation, advice regarding development rights and development approval processes, planning scheme amendments, Section 173 agreements, compensation claims for the acquisition of land for a range of public purposes and for financial loss arising in compensable circumstances under planning legislation. He has prepared submissions to government on various aspects of environmental law, and in particular, development approvals processes. Murray has also acted in a number of matters involving development agreements, subdivisions, options to purchase, development contributions under the Subdivisions Act 1988 and the development and use of Crown land
Murray advises local government and statutory authorities on a range of property, planning, environmental, and contractual matters. Murray provides his advice in a practical manner, directed to the audience it is intended for, within the applicable legislative, administrative and political framework, and in clear English with definitive answers and recommendations.
He regularly lectures and chairs seminars on law topics for clients, industry groups and other lawyers. He holds certificates of appreciation from Melbourne University Faculty of Building and Planning and Leo Cussen Institute. Murray was awarded a Certificate of Service by the Law Institute of Victoria in 2005.
A senior member of the Law Institute of Victoria's specialist Planning and Local Government Committee, Murray was also a member of the inaugural assessment committee for accreditation of planning and environment law specialists. Murray is the immediate past chair of the Law Council of Australia's Australian Property Law Group and immediate past president of the Property Law Reform Alliance. He is presently the deputy chair of the Law Council's Legal Practice Section and a member of both the Law Council and Law Institute's Electronic Conveyancing Committees.