Dispute Resolution
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : 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.
Work Highlights
- Allens acted for the Star Entertainment Group and its subsidiaries in relation to civil penalty proceedings commenced by AUSTRAC in the Federal Court.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Allens has the ability to handle very complex legal questions and the ability to handle very large-scale litigation and expand its resources to match the work required."
"Allens provides good communication, planning and strategic thinking."
"Allens has the ability to handle very complex legal questions and the ability to handle very large-scale litigation and expand its resources to match the work required."
"Allens provides good communication, planning and strategic thinking."
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 Thompson has strong commercial litigation expertise and excellent capability in leading a team and delivering on matters."
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.
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.
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.