Dispute Resolution
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 2 9263 4000About
Provided by Gilbert + Tobin
Gilbert + Tobin specialises in assisting clients in navigating complex and contentious issues with high stakes.
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. We understand that litigation should always be a last resort but, where necessary, must focus on protecting our client’s reputation and commercial position.
Our offering includes specialised teams and technology dedicated to meeting the demands of significant disputes and investigations through document review.
We advise on:
- Corporate and commercial disputes
- Regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings
- Class actions
- Corporate misconduct and directors’ duties
- Commission and inquiries
Chambers Review
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
- Gilbert + Tobin acted for Nuix in relation to an ASIC investigation and now regulatory enforcement proceedings following its IPO in 2020.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"I like the fact that they are very good practical litigators. What they try to do is put in place strategy and achieve results for you."
"Even in hard fought and challenging litigation the lawyers enable sensible and courteous interactions aimed at progressing the matter rather than point scoring."
"I like the fact that they are very good practical litigators. What they try to do is put in place strategy and achieve results for you."
"Even in hard fought and challenging litigation the lawyers enable sensible and courteous interactions aimed at progressing the matter rather than point scoring."
Notable Practitioners
Colleen Platford is based in Sydney, where her complex commercial litigation practice is largely focused on disputes concerning insolvency or trade practices.
"Colleen is an amazing legal and strategic mind and an asset to any dispute."
"Colleen Platford is very experienced and really great."
"She is always available to help out with key issues during the dispute to ensure it tracks smoothly."
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.
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 Lynch has been a very strong performer, getting the confidence of our commercial colleagues quickly, with his grasp of the commercial issues and legal input."
"He effectively manages a team, across all aspects of the matter and always contributes very thoughtfully."
"Crispian is very thorough and knows his stuff in a technical field."
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.
"I think Janet is very strategic, and it is not about necessarily being in court for her, it is about getting results for the business."
Ranked Lawyers at
Gilbert + Tobin
Australia
Members
Provided by Gilbert + Tobin
Antonia Garling
Christiana McCudden
Daniel MacPherson
Dianne Banks
Kate Harrison
Patrick Tydde
Philippa Hofbrucker
Head of Department
Tim O'Leary
Industries
Provided by Gilbert + Tobin
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