Department profile
Gilbert + Tobin

Dispute Resolution

Global Guide 2026 : Australia

Share profile

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.

Our Services

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

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Dispute Resolution - Australia

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.

View ranking table

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 respondentGlobal

  • They are highly sophisticated and bring the right people to problems without overselling capabilities.

    Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

  • 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 respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Colleen Platford
    Colleen 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 respondentGlobal

    • Colleen is a very experienced and commercially pragmatic litigator.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
    View profile
  • Richard Harris
    Richard 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.

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

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • He is a market leader in litigation management, strategy, commercial advice and stakeholder management.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

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

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
    View profile
  • Crispian Lynch
    Crispian 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 is whip-smart, thorough and good to work with.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • Crispian really understands the importance of receiving communication that is unequivocal and takes into account the strategic objectives for the matter.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal

    • Crispian is a highly skilled litigator. He is technically excellent with very strong strategic awareness.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
    View profile
  • Janet Whiting
    Janet 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 respondentGlobal

    • Janet is exceptional.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
    View profile
  • Holly Sara
    Holly 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 respondentGlobal

    • Holly is a delight to work with.

      Dispute Resolution respondentGlobal
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at Gilbert + Tobin (5)

Australia

Members

Provided by Gilbert + Tobin

Gilbert + Tobin has rankings in the following guides

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership