Department profile
Gilbert + Tobin

Dispute Resolution

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Australia


Gilbert + Tobin

Rankings

About

Provided by Gilbert + Tobin

Disputes and Investigations

We protect reputations when the stakes are at their highest. Meet the specialists in complex, high-profile commercial disputes, investigations and enforcement proceedings.

How we can help

We help clients navigate complex and contentious issues and bet-the-farm disputes. While litigation should always be a last resort, we understand it can be necessary to protect your reputation and commercial position.

Our disputes and investigations partners act in many of Australia’s most significant disputes and have an unparalleled reputation for providing strategic, pragmatic and commercial advice. They’re supported by highly specialised teams, as well as document review technology designed for the thorough and exacting demands of significant disputes and investigations.

Services

  • Corporate and commercial disputes
  • Regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings
  • Class actions
  • Corporate misconduct and directors’ duties
  • Commission and inquiries

Industries (19)

  • Banks
  • Commercial & Professional Services
  • Construction & Materials
  • Consumer Product Manufacturing
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Financial Services
  • Food & Drink Producers
  • Government
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Media
  • Mining & Metals
  • Retail
  • Software & Computer Services
  • Technology, Hardware & Electronics
  • Telecommunications
  • Transportation
  • Utilities

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Dispute Resolution - Australia

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Gilbert + Tobin maintains a well-resourced, independent practice, acting for an extensive domestic and international clientele, including leading players in the banking, resources and telecommunications industries. It is active on class actions and other multiparty litigation, regulatory investigations and other official inquiries, including the growing number of royal commissions. The team is regularly visible on restructuring and insolvency-related mandates and those involving alleged breaches of directors' duties. It is noted for strategic insight and rapid, proactive issue assessment, often enhanced by the labour-saving use of technology.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Gilbert + Tobin assisted key members of Microsoft's regional leadership team in preparing for their appearance before the Australian Senate Select Committee on Adopting AI.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The firm has extensive experience in large-scale litigation. It is commercial, pragmatic and knows the litigation process inside out. The materials it produces are top notch.

    Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Gilbert + Tobin provided frank, clear, plain-English commercial advice. Their ability to understand issues from both a legal and commercial standpoint was exceptional.

    Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
  • They are highly sophisticated and bring the right people to problems without overselling capabilities.

    Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 2Colleen Platford
    Band 2Colleen Platford

    Colleen Platford

    Colleen Platford is based in Sydney, where her complex commercial litigation practice is largely focused on disputes concerning insolvency or trade practices.
    • Colleen is really engaged in getting the right result. She is always available and takes the time to understand the matter.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Colleen is a very experienced and commercially pragmatic litigator.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 2Richard Harris
    Band 2Richard Harris

    Richard Harris

    Richard Harris heads the practice from the Sydney office and is personally best known for his representation of leading financial services providers, acting across an impressively broad range of class action, official inquiry and regulatory litigation mandates.
    • He is a market leader in litigation management, strategy, commercial advice and stakeholder management.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Richard is empathetic, yet confident, which gives me a lot of confidence in what he and the team can achieve.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Richard is very good at synthesising documents and providing a coherent argument. He has phenomenal attention to detail.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Crispian Lynch
    Band 3Crispian Lynch

    Crispian Lynch

    Crispian Lynch stands out for his expertise in the class action and regulatory spheres and is particularly active on behalf of clients from the financial services sector. He is based in Sydney.
    • Crispian really understands the importance of receiving communication that is unequivocal and takes into account the strategic objectives for the matter.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Crispian is a highly skilled litigator. He is technically excellent with very strong strategic awareness.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Crispian is whip-smart, thorough and good to work with.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 4Janet Whiting
    Band 4Janet Whiting

    Janet Whiting

    Janet Whiting is a highly regarded commercial litigator in the Melbourne disputes space, advising extensively on high-stakes litigation, regulatory issues and matters of major reputational significance to the clients concerned, representing both high-profile companies and individual executives.
    • Janet is an outstanding litigator. She offers a very strategic focus and works well with her clients.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Janet is exceptional.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Up and ComingHolly Sara
    Up and ComingHolly Sara

    Holly Sara

    Holly Sara is a Sydney-based partner who focuses on contentious work for large multinational companies, notably those from the financial services and pharmaceutical sectors.
    • Holly is engaging and always makes herself available.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Holly is a delight to work with.

      Dispute Resolution respondentAsia-Pacific

Ranked Individuals at Gilbert + Tobin (5)

Australia

Members

Provided by Gilbert + Tobin

Gilbert + Tobin has rankings in the following guides

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