Dispute Resolution: The Bar

Francis Burt Chambers has over 140 members and is the oldest set in Perth, having been established in 1962. It is also the favoured set of many of Western Australia's most eminent barristers, housing practitioners who are often particularly well qualified to advocate or advise in practice areas linked to the state's key industries, including environmental, mining and native title law. The chambers is praised for its varied commercial offering, with one source stating: "Francis Burt Chambers is still the pre-eminent commercial chambers in Perth, and still a broad church, with most areas covered – commercial, crime and so on." Pauline McKay, the set's executive officer, is a key contact.

Stephen Wright SC offers experience in native title and related issues, acquired in government service, in private practice and at the Bar, stretching back some 25 years, and is widely considered to be one of the pre-eminent practitioners in his field, winning particular plaudits for his litigation skills. Commentators also admire the adaptability which allows him to act for the full range of players in this space, including traditional owner parties, proponents and government agencies.

Patricia Cahill SC maintains a comprehensive commercial practice which regularly attracts recommendations from practitioners in, among others, the construction, insolvency, insurance and taxation spheres and embraces both litigation and arbitration. She is extremely well regarded at the Western Australian Bar.

Julie Taylor SC maintains a broad commercial law practice, offering particularly extensive experience of class action litigation, the arbitration of disputes involving international businesses, or the liquidation or receivership of large corporates.