General Business Law
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Papua New Guinea
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+675 309 2000About
Provided by Ashurst
Our team comprises five resident partners, three non-resident partners, plus 13 senior associates and lawyers practicing and qualified in Papua New Guinean law.
This represents the largest complement of Papua New Guinea qualified lawyers of any of the international firms with offices in Papua New Guinea. Furthermore, the team has the greatest depth of experience of these international firms, as represented by the five resident partners whose combined PNG experience is well in excess of 100 years. This depth of experience arose because Ashurst and its predecessor Blake Dawson were the first offshore firm to establish a full service office in PNG.
Ashurst has been involved in the vast majority of PNG's major energy and infrastructure projects to date.
Ashurst also has significant experience in resource and infrastructure project development, drawing on its depth in regulatory advice and project finance. Ashurst is working on a number of the country's key resource projects, as noted in this submission (in particular Papua LNG and the Australia - PNG Submarine Data Cable.
This expertise, combined with the capabilities across our global network of offices, provides clients with a highly experienced, versatile team that is able to undertake the most complex and challenging assignments across many areas of law.
Chambers Review
Ashurst has a substantial and long-standing presence in Papua New Guinea, frequently advising clients on banking transactions, M&A and market entry, as well as energy and infrastructure projects. Its clientele includes banks, energy and natural resources companies, and airlines. Its Port Moresby office is able to draw on the expertise of colleagues in Ashurst's Australian and Asian offices. The firm also offers a full dispute resolution capability and noted coverage of tax and intellectual property issues.
Work Highlights
- Ashurst acted for the National Capital District Commission in a GST dispute with the Internal Revenue Commission, the Central Provincial government, the Gulf Provincial government and the Motu Koita Assembly.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Ashurst is very knowledgeable in the work we have engaged it in and produces a good outcome for us."
"Ashurst's partners have a deep knowledge and understanding of how things work in PNG. The senior partners are first-rate in terms of their abilities and skills in the areas we have engaged them in."
"Ashurst is very knowledgeable in the work we have engaged it in and produces a good outcome for us."
"Ashurst's partners have a deep knowledge and understanding of how things work in PNG. The senior partners are first-rate in terms of their abilities and skills in the areas we have engaged them in."
Notable Practitioners
Tim Glenn is a counsel based in Ashurst's Sydney office, where he enjoys a particularly strong reputation for his long experience and continuing prominence in Papua New Guinea. He remains focused on supporting the development of major infrastructure and other projects and is also highly experienced in the handling of contentious matters.
"Tim has superior knowledge and experience in all aspects of PNG law and practice."
Richard Flynn leads the practice from the Port Moresby office, regularly taking leading roles on key mandates in the banking, infrastructure and resources spheres.
"Richard helped us with corporate and litigation matters. He always puts himself in the clients' shoes and focuses on what the client needs."
Ian Shepherd is best known for his prowess as a commercial litigator but is also experienced across a range of transactional matters, including mandates in the banking and resources spheres. Offering nearly 30 years' experience in the jurisdiction, he provides clients with a significant understanding of the local scene.