Disputes and Investigations

We protect reputations when the stakes are at their highest. Meet the specialists in complex, high-profile commercial disputes, investigations and enforcement proceedings.

How we can help

We help clients navigate complex and contentious issues and bet-the-farm disputes. While litigation should always be a last resort, we understand it can be necessary to protect your reputation and commercial position.

Our disputes and investigations partners act in many of Australia’s most significant disputes and have an unparalleled reputation for providing strategic, pragmatic and commercial advice. They’re supported by highly specialised teams, as well as document review technology designed for the thorough and exacting demands of significant disputes and investigations.

Services

We handle significant, complex, and high-stakes disputes, often involving multiple simultaneous inquiries, investigations and associated litigation.

Class actions

We advise on all types of class actions, including financial services, consumer, product liability, shareholder, securities, antitrust, environmental, cyber and privacy.

Corporate and commercial disputes

We advise on contractual, regulatory, shareholder, transactional, investment, joint ventures, finance, real estate, insurance, ESG, insolvency, tax and employment disputes.

Corporate misconduct and directors’ duties

We advise on alleged violations of the Corporations Act and ASIC Act, AML/CTF, insider trading, cartels, market abuse, fraud and misleading or deceptive conduct.

Commission and inquiries

We advise on royal commissions, parliamentary inquiries, coronial inquiries, commissions of inquiry, public inquiries and special commissions of inquiry.

Regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings

We advise on investigation and enforcement processes with ASIC, APRA, the ACCC, the ATO, the OAIC and AUSTRAC.

Disputes and Investigations experience

Westpac

In defending class action proceedings arising from proceedings commenced by AUSTRAC in the Federal Court.

Macquarie Bank

In defending two separate consumer class actions concerning flex commissions in the auto finance industry.

Virgin Australia

In defending a class action brought by noteholders commenced in the Federal Court.

Downer EDI

In defending four securities class actions commenced against it.

QBE Insurance

In defending a class action regarding consumer credit insurance products.

Nuix

In defending consolidated class action proceedings commenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria concerning disclosure issues.

Former directors of The Star

On their responses to the Star City Bell Inquiries.

Solicitor assisting

The Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.

Westpac

On its response to the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.

Deloitte

On its response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the management and assurance of integrity by consulting services.

The State of Victoria

On its response to the Royal Commission into Management of Police Informants.

The Commonwealth of Australia

On its response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Credit Suisse

In prosecuting claims against insurers associated with the collapse of Greensill Capital, worth over US$2 billion.

PwC Australia

On various commercial disputes and regulatory matters.

BlueScope Steel

In a commercial arbitration relating to a high value dispute regarding the proper interpretation of a contract and allegations of restraint of trade.

New Hope Group

In complex legal proceedings commenced in the Supreme Court against Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal.

Cargill

In a record judgment against Glencore that involved substantial claims arising out of the sale of a malting business.

Coca-Cola Amatil

On a range of disputes and regulatory matters including directors’ and officers’ duties.

Nuix

On an ASIC investigation and Federal Court enforcement proceedings relating to its IPO and subsequent disclosures to the market about the company’s revenue forecast.

A big four accounting firm

On an ASIC investigation and Companies Auditors Disciplinary Board proceedings against a partner relating to financial audits of an ASX-listed company.

J.P. Morgan

On the circumstances surrounding ANZ’s 2015 capital raising, and the role played by JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank and Citigroup as joint lead managers.

Westpac

On separate investigations by ASIC and APRA in relation to allegations of more than 23 million breaches of anti-money laundering laws.

Former Directors of The Star

In defending a landmark directors’ duties case commenced by ASIC in the Federal Court.

Boards and directors

On a broad range of directors’ duties and corporate governance issues.

Westpac

On its defence of the high profile and complex ASIC prosecution concerning alleged manipulation of the Bank Bill Swap rate (BBSW) - one of ASIC’s largest investigations and prosecutions to date.

Auto & General Insurance

In successfully defending the first proceedings brought by ASIC against an insurer under the new unfair contract terms regime.

Insignia Financial

In connection with an Australia-first cybersecurity investigation brought by ASIC.

Australian Clinical Labs

On some of Australia's first and most significant regulatory investigations by ASIC and the OAIC concerning a cybersecurity incident.

Block Earner

In a landmark ASIC test case relating to the complexities of applying existing regulations to evolving crypto technologies.

SkyCity Adelaide

On a major AUSTRAC enforcement alleging breaches of the AML/CTF laws relating to the provision of designated services by SkyCity Adelaide to its customers.

Awards