Dispute Resolution: The Bar

Fifth Floor St James' Hall Chambers is a highly regarded smaller set, long acknowledged for its impressive concentration of specialised, top-tier expertise, and home to two of the most versatile and respected advocates at the New South Wales Bar. It offers especially seasoned expertise in the handling of appellate cases and is also noted for prowess in administrative and constitutional matters equal to that attained in the commercial sphere. Clerk Caroline Davoren is the key contact here.

Bret Walker SC continues to earn high praise from peers and instructing solicitors alike. He is active across a remarkably broad range of practice areas, and is seen as likely to turn up on any matter of clear significance.

Noel Hutley SC continues to maintain his impressive reputation and is widely regarded as a leader of the Sydney Bar. Although it is widely recognised that he operates across the fullest range of commercial law issues, insolvency matters are known to form a particularly significant component of his practice, and he features on the go-to list of several instructing solicitors. "Noel is a great barrister." "He does a lot of the big cases."

Emma Bathurst has a broad commercial range including expertise in the consumer, corporations and IP law spheres and notable experience of class actions. "She is very smart and incredibly hard-working." "Emma Bathurst is always great."

Nicholas Owens SC maintains a busy commercial and public law practice, of which appellate matters considered by the High Court constitute a particularly significant component, and is also prominent in the class action and regulatory enforcement spheres. "Nick Owens is excellent." "He has done exceptional work and is a very effective advocate."

Garry Rich SC stands out for his representation, in superior court proceedings including class actions, of household-name companies and financial service providers facing product liability-related or regulatory litigation. Sources regularly testify to the power of his advocacy.