Dispute Resolution
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : Australia
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 2 9230 4000About
Provided by Allens
Allens has a long-standing Dispute Resolution practice at the very top of the market. Our litigation partners are recognised as world leaders in their field and independent market research shows that our practice has 'put airspace between itself and its competitors'.
We have the expertise to assist in any dispute and are geared to mobilise quickly in the event of a complex dispute or regulatory investigation. We frequently assist with major international disputes, and have the capacity to conduct matters in multiple jurisdictions.
We act in some of Australia's most significant disputes, including class actions, competition cases, takeover disputes and public and private investigations (including inquiries by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, the Australian Securities Exchange, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Royal Commissions and Senate inquiries).
Disputes and investigations matters typically involve the collection, management and review of vast quantities of data. Our Disputes team works side-by-side with our market-leading and fully-integrated document review solutions team – Allens Arrow, with skills in computer science, management consulting, mathematics and project management. With the combination of low cost document review, the application of AI, predictive coding and other advanced legal technologies, and close integration with our lawyers, we provide our clients with significant cost-reduction, certainty and timeliness.
Chambers Review
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.
Work Highlights
- Allens acted on behalf of Santos in proceedings concerning the judicial review of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority's decision to accept Santos' Drilling and Completions Environment Plan, which allows the drilling of gas wells as part of the Barossa Project in the Timor Sea.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The Allens team is adept at getting across large and complex matters at speed. They are hyper-responsive and always meet deadlines, even under extreme time constraints."
"The team at Allens was balanced, commercial and logical, and brought calm and well-considered advice and options to our organisation."
"They distinguish themselves by having a really talented pool of incredibly smart and commercial lawyers. I think that is what makes people go back to them again and again."
"The Allens team is adept at getting across large and complex matters at speed. They are hyper-responsive and always meet deadlines, even under extreme time constraints."
"The team at Allens was balanced, commercial and logical, and brought calm and well-considered advice and options to our organisation."
"They distinguish themselves by having a really talented pool of incredibly smart and commercial lawyers. I think that is what makes people go back to them again and again."
Notable Practitioners
Belinda Thompson is a seasoned handler of class action defences and securities litigation and particularly familiar with product liability issues and matters arising in the financial services space. She is based in the Allens Melbourne office.
"Belinda is very reliable and presents well to senior executives."
Kim Reid is rated for both general dispute resolution and class action disputes. Based in Sydney, he is highly regarded for his expertise in contentious regulatory matters, prominently active on banking and financial services-related cases, and regularly advises clients in the resources sector.
"Kim Reid is a highly skilled litigator who handles highly complex matters with a uniquely commercial lens. He understands the complexity of the client's business and artfully delivers advice in a commercial context."
"Kim provides a steady and guiding hand, striking the balance between technical legal skills and commercial and strategic advice. He is hyper-responsive, happy to work through challenging problems at a moment's notice and is frank, pragmatic and incisive."
Ross Drinnan is a respected, Sydney-based practitioner who specialises in class action defence and high-stakes reputational and regulatory litigation, acting frequently for leading financial services providers. His work includes advising on issues which potentially expose clients to criminal prosecution instigated by regulatory bodies, and on product liability and professional negligence matters.
"He is a pragmatic and well-organised commercial lawyer with a vast depth of experience and is well skilled in navigating significant cases of repute for his clients."
Malcolm Stephens offers experience in superior court commercial litigation up to and including High Court level and embracing frequent involvement in class action and financial regulatory cases.He is based in Sydney.
"Malcolm Stephens is calm, understands us very well and has great strategies. I love working with him."