We assist clients with complex litigation, including class actions, and in responding to Royal Commissions and other inquiries.
Litigation &
Dispute Resolution
Dispute Resolution
Our lawyers have a broad experience managing high profile commercial litigation, having had carriage of matters for clients in a range of significant disputes.
We are able to assist clients with all aspects of litigation to allow them to focus on the running of their business. We will work with you to develop a strategic approach and guide you and your team through the dispute as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Significant matters in which our lawyers have acted previously include:
1. Jenkings & Anor v Northern Territory of Australia (FCA 2016) - advising the Northern Territory in its response to a class action initiated in the Federal Court on behalf of detainees at the Don Dale and Alice Springs Youth Detention Centres in relation to the use of force, isolation, searches and restraints from 2006 to 2017.
Significant matters in which our lawyers have acted previously include:
1. Jenkings & Anor v Northern Territory of Australia (FCA 2016) - advising the Northern Territory in its response to a class action initiated in the Federal Court on behalf of detainees at the Don Dale and Alice Springs Youth Detention Centres in relation to the use of force, isolation, searches and restraints from 2006 to 2017.
2. Sister Marie Brigid Arthur v Northern Territory of Australia & ors (FCA 2019) – advising the Department of Territory Families (NT) in its response to a class action initiated in the Federal Court on behalf of a number of current and former detainees in relation service delivery pursuant to the Youth Justice Act 2007 (NT).
3. NT EPA v Michael Adrian Anthony & DWD Project Pty Ltd (NTLC 2019) - prosecution in relation to alleged illegal dumping of waste materials into Darwin Harbour, contrary to section 83(1) of the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998 (NT).
4. Advising the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in response to a claim brought by AUSTRAC with respect to alleged breaches of the AML/CTF Act.
5. Advising Broadspectrum in a class action brought by over 1,000 persons in immigration detention against the Australian Government and its service providers in relation to alleged breaches of duty of care with respect to the provision of services within Manus Island Regional Processing Centre.
6. Advising the ACCC with respect to a number of enforcement proceedings, including with respect to cartel conduct, misleading and deceptive conduct and unconscionable conduct, including ACCC v South East Melbourne Cleaning Pty Ltd (in liq) [2015] FCA 25; ACCC v ACN 117 372 915 Pty Limited (in liq) (formerly Advanced Medical Institute Pty Ltd) [2015] FCA 368; ACCC v Energy Watch Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 425; ACCC v Renegade Gas Pty Ltd (trading as Supagas NSW) and Speed-E-Gas (NSW) Pty Ltd. [2014] FCA 1135.
7. Advising the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and other Religious orders, including the Christian Brothers, Sisters of Mercy and Sisters of Nazareth in relation to numerous, highly sensitive personal injury claims.
8. Wilson v Bauer Media Pty Ltd [2017] VSC 521; Bauer Media Pty Ltd v Wilson [2018] VSCA 154 – defamation.
9. JT International SA v Commonwealth of Australia; British American Tobacco Australasia Limited & Ors v Commonwealth of Australia [2012] HCA 30 – Constitutional Law.
10. Global Medical Solutions Australia Pty Ltd v Axiom Molecular Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 1262; [2012] NSWSC 1517; [2013] NSWSC 86; [2013] NSWSC 665; [2013] NSWSC 1433 – breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy to injure, corporate law contraventions in relation to wrongful diversion of business.
11. Divadeus Pty Ltd v Victorian WorkCover Authority [2014] VSC 578; Victorian WorkCover Authority v Divadeus Pty Ltd (in liquidation) [2016] VSCA 81 – WorkCover Insurance – premiums calculation – procedural fairness.
12. Alesco Corporation Limited v Te Maari [2015] NSWSC 469 – Recovery of misappropriated funds
13. Martin v TAL Life Limited [2015] VCC 921 – Insurance – Income Protection Policy – Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth).
14. ZooSkyMedia Pty Ltd & ors v Australia Zoo Productions Pty Ltd (VSC 2017; settled at trial) – Joint Venture dispute – entertainment law.
15. Advising listed client with respect to breach of duties under the Corporations Act regarding Managed Investment Schemes.
16. Vass v Greyhound Racing Victoria [2015] VCAT 1488 – appeal from penalties imposed by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board.
17. Almond Land Pty Ltd v Geoffjoy Enterprises Pty Ltd & Ors [2014] VCC 196 – insolvency law – water rights.
18. Silcar Pty Ltd v Victorian WorkCover Authority [2012] VSC 375 – employment law – identification of employer – contract law.
4. Advising the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in response to a claim brought by AUSTRAC with respect to alleged breaches of the AML/CTF Act.
5. Advising Broadspectrum in a class action brought by over 1,000 persons in immigration detention against the Australian Government and its service providers in relation to alleged breaches of duty of care with respect to the provision of services within Manus Island Regional Processing Centre.
6. Advising the ACCC with respect to a number of enforcement proceedings, including with respect to cartel conduct, misleading and deceptive conduct and unconscionable conduct, including ACCC v South East Melbourne Cleaning Pty Ltd (in liq) [2015] FCA 25; ACCC v ACN 117 372 915 Pty Limited (in liq) (formerly Advanced Medical Institute Pty Ltd) [2015] FCA 368; ACCC v Energy Watch Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 425; ACCC v Renegade Gas Pty Ltd (trading as Supagas NSW) and Speed-E-Gas (NSW) Pty Ltd. [2014] FCA 1135.
7. Advising the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and other Religious orders, including the Christian Brothers, Sisters of Mercy and Sisters of Nazareth in relation to numerous, highly sensitive personal injury claims.
8. Wilson v Bauer Media Pty Ltd [2017] VSC 521; Bauer Media Pty Ltd v Wilson [2018] VSCA 154 – defamation.
9. JT International SA v Commonwealth of Australia; British American Tobacco Australasia Limited & Ors v Commonwealth of Australia [2012] HCA 30 – Constitutional Law.
10. Global Medical Solutions Australia Pty Ltd v Axiom Molecular Pty Ltd [2012] NSWSC 1262; [2012] NSWSC 1517; [2013] NSWSC 86; [2013] NSWSC 665; [2013] NSWSC 1433 – breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy to injure, corporate law contraventions in relation to wrongful diversion of business.
11. Divadeus Pty Ltd v Victorian WorkCover Authority [2014] VSC 578; Victorian WorkCover Authority v Divadeus Pty Ltd (in liquidation) [2016] VSCA 81 – WorkCover Insurance – premiums calculation – procedural fairness.
12. Alesco Corporation Limited v Te Maari [2015] NSWSC 469 – Recovery of misappropriated funds
13. Martin v TAL Life Limited [2015] VCC 921 – Insurance – Income Protection Policy – Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth).
14. ZooSkyMedia Pty Ltd & ors v Australia Zoo Productions Pty Ltd (VSC 2017; settled at trial) – Joint Venture dispute – entertainment law.
15. Advising listed client with respect to breach of duties under the Corporations Act regarding Managed Investment Schemes.
16. Vass v Greyhound Racing Victoria [2015] VCAT 1488 – appeal from penalties imposed by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board.
17. Almond Land Pty Ltd v Geoffjoy Enterprises Pty Ltd & Ors [2014] VCC 196 – insolvency law – water rights.
18. Silcar Pty Ltd v Victorian WorkCover Authority [2012] VSC 375 – employment law – identification of employer – contract law.
Public Inquiries
& Investigations
& Investigations
Our lawyers have played key roles in many of the significant public inquiries arising over the past decade, including on Royal Commissions, Parliamentary / Senate inquiries, Coronial inquests and other investigations, acting for both government and private clients.
We are aware of the various issues faced by government and business in the context of an inquiry and are able to work with your team to ensure the reputation or your organisation and staff are protected and your objectives are met at every stage of the process.
We are aware of the various issues faced by government and business in the context of an inquiry and are able to work with your team to ensure the reputation or your organisation and staff are protected and your objectives are met at every stage of the process.
Significant inquiries in which our lawyers have acted include:
1. The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (Cth).
2. The Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children (NT).
3. The Family Violence Royal Commission (Vic).
4. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Cth).
5. Coronial inquest into the deaths of Fionica James, Katurah Mamarika and Layla Leering, conducted in September 2020, on behalf of Territory Families (NT).
6. Coronial inquest into the deaths of Miss B, Master W and Master JK, conducted in October 2020, on behalf of Territory Families (NT).
7. Coronial inquest into the death of David Loader, conducted in August 2020, on behalf of the Department of Health (NT).
8. The Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government organisations.
9. The Select Committee Inquiry into the allegations relating to conditions and circumstances at the Regional Processing Centre in Nauru.
10. An inquiry into serious allegations of abuse, self-harm and neglect of asylum seekers in relation to the Nauru Regional Processing Centre, and any like allegations in relation to the Manus Regional Processing Centre.
11. The Coronial Inquest into the January 2017 Melbourne Bourke Street event.
12. The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision concerning 34 current and former Essendon Football Club players.
8. The Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government organisations.
9. The Select Committee Inquiry into the allegations relating to conditions and circumstances at the Regional Processing Centre in Nauru.
10. An inquiry into serious allegations of abuse, self-harm and neglect of asylum seekers in relation to the Nauru Regional Processing Centre, and any like allegations in relation to the Manus Regional Processing Centre.
11. The Coronial Inquest into the January 2017 Melbourne Bourke Street event.
12. The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision concerning 34 current and former Essendon Football Club players.
Strategic Advice
Our lawyers have provided advice to a wide range of clients, including the Department of Justice (Vic), the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (Vic), Broadspectrum, Multiplex, John Holland, Oxfam, the Victorian WorkCover Authority, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Victoria Police, Racing Victoria, Penguin, Channel 7, the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority, and the Department of Health (NT).