Dispute Resolution: The Bar | Asia-Pacific

Banco Chambers is noted for having attracted some of Australia's leading junior barristers, in addition to a core of established and respected silks. With a current complement of 65 barristers, it is especially well resourced when it comes to providing advice or advocacy on competition, equity or public law issues, and is also home to significant expertise in the areas of construction, defamation and insolvency. One source reports: “If I have a matter in Sydney and I'm not sure who to brief, I usually start by looking at Banco, and only rarely would I need to go outside of it.” Another remarks: “We brief Banco more heavily than any other chambers, which is a function of the commerciality of the barristers.” Many members possess appellate experience or have acted as arbitration counsel or arbitrators in both domestic and international cases. The set is also “constantly bringing through excellent readers and juniors,” according to another interviewee. Clerk Jeh Coutinho is a key contact for all enquiries.

List G Barristers constitutes a substantial Melbourne offering, mustering over 180 counsel, who are described by one source as “leading barristers with exceptional talent and market profile”. It focuses principally on commercial and public law issues and commands respect in the market. The list brings together advocates with particularly impressive track records in such specialised areas as employment, native title and shipping, as well as those maintaining broader commercial practices, and it attracts especially high praise for having assembled a notable cohort of IP practitioners. One interviewee observes that the list is “the leading chamber for IP at the Victorian Bar”. CEO and senior clerk Jane King is the principal contact.

5 Wentworth Chambers houses more than 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: "5 Wentworth Chambers is in my view the leading chambers for IP barristers in Sydney". Another source states: "They are also recognised for their collaborative approach, which really lifts the quality of their work". Senior clerk Sarah Tiffen is the recommended contact.

Eleven Wentworth is a respected set and the former home of many New South Wales Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and Land and Environment Court judges, stabling over 40 barristers who are regularly praised for their technical skill, fine judgement and user-friendliness. The set is frequently identified as one of Sydney's best, one solicitor remarking: “There is someone to suit every style and any matter.” Another adds that it offers “excellent quality barristers at all levels of practice, from readers to senior counsel.” Its key areas of expertise, within the comprehensive range of disciplines covered, include insolvency, insurance, professional liability and tax issues. Zach Rymer is the clerk and recommended contact.

New Chambers is a Sydney set home to over 60 barristers, practising in over 50 practice areas and appearing in court, administrative tribunal and public inquiry proceedings and a variety of alternative dispute resolution processes across Australia and abroad. The chambers' versatile offering includes strong concentrations of expertise in the financial services and insolvency spheres, and its members include pre-eminent providers of advice and advocacy on taxation and shipping issues. Interviewees are quick to praise the exceptional quality of the advocacy and advice that the set offers. One source notes that the chambers offers "exceptional commercial nous and intelligence". Another remarks: "The set appears to have immense depth." Clerk and practice manager Angela Noakes is a recommended contact.

Sixth Floor Selborne Wentworth Chambers has over 50 barristers in Sydney who offer expertise across a comprehensive range of commercial and public law disciplines, including construction and native title. It is particularly noteworthy for its high concentration of tax-related expertise. Interviewees frequently mention the number of barristers from this set who go to the bench, one describing it as “truly a judge-making set”. Another source reports that “the floor has some of the strongest commercial barristers in the country”. Clerk Lisa Stewart is the main contact.

7 Wentworth Selborne is a well-regarded Sydney set that delivers advice and advocacy across the gamut of commercial and public law, but is especially in demand for its provision of outstanding talent in the construction and infrastructure arenas, with some 20 of the set's 60-odd barristers practising in this space, a solicitor noting: "They've got a real depth of construction experience." Another source observes that the set "provides a great combination of technical ability and practical advice." The chambers also fields several barristers with extensive class action experience and offers recognised expertise in maritime matters. Managing clerk Simon Walker is the principal contact.