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Chris practises primarily in the area of commercial dispute resolution, specialising in complex disputes and in technical matters arising in the course of large commercial litigation, including class actions.
Over more than 15 years, Chris has acted for corporations, company directors, insolvency practitioners, regulated entities and regulators, and local government in various disputes and Court proceedings around Australia. He has extensive experience in general commercial and contractual disputes, class actions/representative proceedings, Corporations Act matters, Court approvals of schemes of arrangement, insolvency matters and recovery actions (acting for both liquidators and defendants), ASIC investigations and prosecutions, judicial review applications and administrative reviews by tribunals, and appeals.
Chris also has considerable experience in regulatory matters, acting for both regulated businesses and regulators. He has acted for gas and electricity transmission and distribution businesses providing advice on regulatory issues, assisting in the preparation of their regulatory pricing proposals, and in merits reviews and judicial reviews of their regulatory determinations and access arrangements. He has also acted in matters relating to the regulation of ports and railways.
With Bachelors and Honours degrees in science (majoring in pure mathematics), Chris is able to readily understand complex mathematical/accounting/economic concepts involved in a legal matter and how they interact with the relevant legal issues – for example, the quantification and assessment of damages in commercial litigation and matters the subject of expert evidence. Chris has extensive experience in briefing experts and counsel in relation to such issues.
Chris was recognised in Doyle’s Guide’s rankings of Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers in 2020 and 2021 (and as a Rising Star in 2015 and 2016).
Advising the Port of Melbourne (which was privatised in 2016) on pricing and other regulatory issues.
Acting for various clients (including local councils) in claims against Lehman Brothers Australia Limited (in liquidation) in relation to their investment in collateralised debt obligations (CDOs).
Acting for the former CEO of ABC Learning Centres in various examinations and proceedings following the administration and liquidation of ABC Learning Centres Ltd.
Acted for ASC in the Supreme Court of NSW, and on appeal to the NSW Court of Appeal, in a contractual dispute regarding the construction of the Air Warfare Destroyers.
Sought and obtained approval from the Federal Court for a scheme of arrangement for Gazal's acquisition by PVH Corp.
Acted for a group of investors who lost funds in an alleged Ponzi scheme in a class action against BankSA then acting as Court appointed administrator of the scheme to distribute the settlement funds.
Recognised as a key lawyer in natural resources (transactions and regulatory)
Recognised as a key lawyer in energy (transactions and regulatory)
Recognised as a leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyer for South Australia
A recent decision of the Supreme Court of Queensland has highlighted the need to be vigilant when calculating pre-judgment interest, particularly in respect of long running litigation.
The Australian Competition Tribunal recently published its decision in respect of WA Gas Networks Pty Ltd's (ATCO) review of the ERA's revised access arrangement for the mid-west and south-west gas
In circumstances where the number of retrospective applications made by liquidators under section 477(2B) of the Corporations Act for Court approval to enter into agreements of more than 3 months...