Dispute Resolution | Asia-Pacific

Allens maintains a substantial bench, backed, through the Linklaters alliance, by a global cross-border capability. The team is especially known for its representation of blue-chip financial services, resources and hi-tech industry multinationals, and government clients, and is prominent on significant international arbitration and class action mandates. The team is especially active advising on inquiries and investigations initiated by Australia's regulatory authorities, particularly those involving alleged misconduct in the financial services and energy sectors, and is increasingly prominent in resources sector disputes with environmental or climate change-related aspects. Key clients include Santos, Crown Resorts and Westpac.

The Clayton Utz disputes practice is a substantial group, acknowledged for the depth and continuity of its team and offering a versatile range of expertise, notably including banking, construction, energy and resources, and public sector representation. It is prominent in the class action defence and regulatory investigation spaces and frequently in receipt of inbound referrals from international firms. The practice is also regularly seen on product liability and consumer remediation scheme mandates. It maintains a high profile where the representation of individual executives in both civil and potentially criminal matters is concerned. Noted clients include Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Apple and Hino Motors.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth offers a substantial independent practice that is notably active in the class action and arbitration spheres and renowned for particularly high levels of client service. It additionally offers respected capabilities in the areas of contentious energy and resources issues, healthcare-related cases and corporate investigations, and is also regularly involved in data security and product liability matters. The team draws praise for its lawyers' technical abilities and commercial judgement, as well as its commitment to client education through seminars and events. Key clients include Meta, Hancock Prospecting and Google.

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, where it is noted for advising both government bodies and the organisations being examined. 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. Notable clients include the Nuix, Macquarie Bank Group and SkyCity.

MinterEllison maintains a large disputes practice with a broad national and international footprint, a substantial cross-jurisdictional offering for the Asia-Pacific region and a depth of resources to cover all major business sectors. Its signature strengths include the handling of shareholder class actions, regulatory investigations and prosecutions, and disputes relating to infrastructure for an impressive range of corporate and government clients. The team is frequently seen on high-profile financial services-related disputes and on matters subject to domestic or international arbitration. Notable clients include Insignia Financial, Rio Tinto and Australian Securities and Investment Commission.

The A&O Shearman team represents the Australian arm of a renowned international disputes practice focused on superior court litigation, international arbitration and contentious regulatory issues. The team is regularly instructed by blue-chip players in the energy and resources and financial services industries, and is acknowledged as a go-to practice for bet-the-company matters. The team is further singled out for global reach, consistent excellence at all levels of the well-integrated team and particular strength in the handling of energy and resources-related disputes in Western Australia, notably including those subject to arbitration. It is additionally active on white-collar issues and the representation of individual executives. Key clients include Greensill Capital, Eni and Reed Industrial Minerals. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Baker McKenzie maintains a well-resourced, highly experienced dispute resolution group, acknowledged for its financial services, restructuring and insolvency, and technology-related expertise. The team attracts attention for its involvement in prominent class actions and for the representation of individuals or companies facing regulatory inquiry or prosecution, bringing to the latter work valuable experience of having acted both for and against regulatory bodies. It is also active on behalf of both customers and suppliers engaged in disputes arising in the IT and telecommunications sectors and for healthcare and consumer goods sector clients. Especially prized for its membership of a global network, the firm is well placed to handle cross-border litigation, particularly in the construction and resources spheres. Key clients include Mastercard, the Australian Energy Regulator and ALS.

Clifford Chance is well regarded for its representation of a blue-chip domestic and international clientele in complex arbitration and litigation mandates, notably including class actions and matters of high reputational significance. The team is frequently engaged for prominent energy and resources, investment treaty arbitration, multiple class action and cross-border regulatory investigation work, and highly prized for its closely integrated global network and swift redeployment of appropriate expertise between offices. It is also significantly active in the handling of cases involving auditing and financial reporting issues. Key clients include EY, Association of German Banks and Airbus.

The Jones Day team is the respected Australian arm of a global dispute resolution offering, attracting particular notice for its handling of high-stakes, cross-border disputes for prominent multinationals. It is also noted in the class action defence sphere, on regulatory investigations and inquiries and on disputes concerning energy and resources or major construction projects. The team operates additionally in the insolvency and taxation-related disputes spaces and is regularly active on behalf of individual executives and further noted for its ability to advise on Australian matters affected by the provisions of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Key clients include Sanofi and Bristol Myers Celgene, Tri-Star Group and Holista Colltech.

DLA Piper's substantial team is highly appreciated for its membership of a global practice with a readily accessible dispute resolution capability in every office and prominence on regional matters with multi-jurisdictional dimensions. It is active on behalf of leading international corporates in the management of complex contentious issues in the banking, energy and resources, and infrastructure spaces, and significantly developing its profile in the international arbitration, class action and regulatory arenas. Notable clients include Perth Airports, AVZ Minerals and Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission.

Norton Rose Fulbright offers a notably deep bench and a global cross-border capability, attracting blue-chip domestic and international clients. Its strengths include the representation of energy and resources companies, healthcare companies and financial services providers, and the handling of strategic disputes, including class actions and regulatory and other official investigations. The team is frequently instructed by such regulatory bodies as ASIC and the ACCC, and thus able to acquire a useful understanding of the workings of those organisations and their priorities. It maintains a noted profile in the international arbitration sphere and is expanding its offering where contentious international trade issues are concerned. Key clients include Chevron, Priceline and Citibank.

Cooper Grace Ward maintains a respected Brisbane disputes practice, active on behalf of several of Australia's leading companies across a broad range of disputes, generally involving a significant Queensland connection, though the group is also experienced in the handling of superior court litigation in both New South Wales and Victoria. In addition to mandates affecting major players in the consumer goods, financial services and property industries, the team is increasingly active on behalf of high net worth and other publicly prominent individuals, and often also of their associated family trusts. It is also well known for advising clients on their interaction with official commissions of inquiry. Key clients include Golden Vision Retail, Newclip Technics and Circa Contemporary Circus.

Hall & Wilcox offers a well-resourced disputes practice, maintaining offices in every mainland state or territory and offering comprehensive coverage of litigation, alternative dispute resolution and inquiry-related requirements. In addition to handling complex and high-stakes commercial disputes, it is particularly active on behalf of clients from the construction, real estate and telecommunications sectors, and on insolvency-related matters. It is also experienced in the handling of class action mandates and in the representation of individual executives and entrepreneurs. Notable clients include PwC, Transport for Victoria and the Honourable Malcolm Turnbull AC.

Dentons fields a substantial team with a broad national footprint, backed by the resources of a worldwide litigation network. It is notably active on mandates in the financial services and real estate spheres, on shareholder disputes and insolvency-related litigation, and in class actions. Its regional cross-border capability is particularly strong where dealings between Australia and Papua New Guinea are concerned. Key clients include Logos Property and Westpac.

The Gadens disputes team operates from offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. It offers extensive experience in representing companies and individual executives from the financial services industry. Additionally, it provides expertise in assisting corporate regulators in investigations and in responding to public investigations. The law firm's frequent clients come from industries including financial services, real estate, agribusiness and manufacturing. Notable clients include the Star Casino, Ball & Doggett and the Australian Securities & Investments Commission.

K&L Gates' disputes team is the Australian arm of a global practice and operates from offices on the East Coast and in Perth. It is experienced in both litigation and a variety of alternative dispute resolution disciplines and acknowledged for its expanding sector coverage, good regional connections and mid-market appeal. Well equipped to handle large, complex, cross-jurisdictional disputes, the team is notably active on mandates generated by the rise of shareholder activism in Australia and similarly prominent in the consumer class action space. It is also well placed to advise in connection with ASIC investigations, Royal Commissions and other regulatory inquiries. Notable clients include Cricket Australia, Dyldam Developments and Honda Australia.