9 December 2024
Consumer credit protections catch up to the 'buy now pay later' sectorRead moreTom JarvisChristopher SonesChristian Jones
Chris is a litigator specialising in regulatory, corporate and commercial litigation, and administrative law proceedings.
Chris has extensive experience advising government regulators to conduct or companies and directors to respond to, regulatory investigations and proceedings, particularly in the banking and financial services sector where he has been involved in investigations and proceedings concerning the provision of consumer credit, the payment/receipt of conflicted remuneration, the setting of interest rates, sale of insurance and superannuation products by banks, the trading of futures contracts, and the charging of fees for no service.
He also has expertise in relation to consumer protection, unconscionable conduct, cartel conduct, licensing, director’s duties and continuous disclosure obligations.
Having managed numerous high profile disputes Chris has extensive experience assisting media teams and managing litigation to control media exposure.
Work highlights
Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry
Assisted the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) with all aspects of its response to the Royal Commission, ensuring ASIC had an effective and influential voice.
Administrative action
Assisted a client to overturn a decision by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to refuse the client’s application for an export license exemption.
Freezing orders
Acted for ASIC to obtain from the Federal Court freezing the assets of financial advice licensee United Global Capital and Global Capital Property Fund Limited to protect investor funds pending applications to windup the companies.
Fee for no service
Acted for ASIC in its successful proceeding against OnePath Custodians for charging fees for no service and making false and misleading representations to superannuation fund members. OnePath incorrectly charged $3.8 million in fees to almost 16,000 fund members when it was not entitled to do so.
Forestry and environment protection
Acted for VicForests in its defence of numerous proceedings in the Victorian Supreme Court concerning the operation of Victoria’s forestry legislation, code of practise and standards.
Investigations
Advised clients in relation to investigations into the insurance, superannuation, consumer goods, telecommunications and banking industries.