Global Australia Dispute Resolution: The Bar

Banco Chambers is one of Sydney's younger commercial sets, established in 2005, and is noted for having attracted some of Australia's leading junior barristers, in addition to a core of established and respected silks. A recent relocation allowed it to expand its complement to a total of roughly 60 barristers. The chambers are especially well resourced when it comes to providing advice or advocacy on competition, equity or public law issues, it is also home to barristers with significant expertise in the areas of construction, defamation and insolvency. A significant proportion of set members possess appellate experience or have acted as arbitration counsel or arbitrators in both domestic and international cases. Interviewees testify extensively, both to the set's widely perceived pre-eminence in the Sydney market and to its possession of a clear collective identity; one observes: "Over the last decade, Banco Chambers has become widely recognised as one of or even the leading commercial sets in Sydney." Another describes Banco Chambers as "a commercial and clever set of barristers with a high level of professionalism and service focus. Clerk Jeh Coutinho is a key contact for all enquiries.

5 Wentworth Chambers houses nearly 40 barristers with expertise ranging across the full commercial and public law spectrum and experience extending to the highest level in both Commonwealth courts and, on a pan-Australian basis, individual state courts. Within this varied offering, the set fields particularly noteworthy expertise in the intellectual property and employment spheres, with one interviewee observing: "Strategy and tactical advice is always provided, with an eye to differing client needs, including government clients." Speaking more generally, another source finds: "Their service levels are outstanding and they are extremely responsive. They go above and beyond in relation to their willingness to assist." Clerk to chambers Sarah Tiffen is the recommended contact.

Dever's List is headquartered in Melbourne's Owen Dixon Chambers and is the oldest of the Victorian Bar's lists, with a history extending back some 160 years and a large stable of barristers, offering expertise across across a broad spectrum of practice areas. Among them are to be found some of Australia's leading appellate advocates as well as eminent practitioners in the employment, insolvency, intellectual property, native title and taxation spheres. Several, including a number of retired judges, are also experienced arbitrators and mediators. John Dever is the chief barristers' clerk and is frequently identified by name as one of the list's key assets.