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Expertise

Chris is a Dispute Resolution & Litigation partner and specialises in Retail Law, Corporate Insolvency, Property and Property Development Disputes and Trusts. Chris’ clients include some of the most prolific and distinguished property organisations both in Australia and internationally. Chris’ experience, leadership and understanding of the unique positioning of his clients enables the consistent provision of tailored, commercial legal advice to his clients.

Chris' extensive work in his chosen fields combined with his experience over the years as part of transactional teams, has led him to understand the underlying value of assets, the nature of investment and the risks associated with transacting and finance.

Chris regularly acts for companies and individuals in ASIC investigations and prosecutions, including advising in respect of compliance with notices issued under s33 of the ASIC Act and evidence at s19 examinations.

Chris has been listed as a leading lawyer by Doyle's Guide in the 2023 Commercial Litigation, Insolvency & Dispute Resolution Law rankings. Chris has also been listed since 2022 in The Best Lawyers in Australia for Retail Law, and has been recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia for Insolvency and Reorganization Law, and Litigation.

Experience

Chris’ practice focuses on advice, dispute resolution and litigation in the principal areas of:

  • retail and commercial leasing – advising a number of Australia’s largest retail and commercial landlords and tenants in matters of strategy, developments, risk assessment and management, alternative dispute resolution, and litigation
  • property disputes – advising clients in terms of trustee relationships, adverse possession, compulsory acquisition, land valuation, and caveats
  • commercial/corporate conflicts – advising clients in terms of corporate advisory and financial services, shareholders, partnerships, joint ventures, trade rivals, trade practices and contracts
  • corporate insolvency – advising clients in a range of industries, including financial services, retail, airline, accounting, property development, construction, mining and services sectors. This includes advising practitioners, directors (including on ASIC investigations and directors duties cases), shareholders, employee groups and creditors, and conducting litigation, alternative dispute resolution, investigations and examinations on behalf of those groups.

Publications

27 November 2024 - Knowledge

Federal Court finds director reasonably relied on external advice amid potential insolvency

#Dispute Resolution & Litigation, #Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency

A recent case we acted on highlights the importance of a company director acting in good faith and reasonably relying on and assessing external advice when making decisions while faced with a potential insolvency for one company within a corporate group.

02 October 2024 - Knowledge

Do personal guarantees apply after lease termination and the creation of a monthly tenancy?

#Property, Planning & Development, #Dispute Resolution & Litigation

A recent case involving a dispute between a tenant and landlord addresses the issue of whether personal guarantees continue to apply after the termination of a lease and creation of a monthly tenancy.

12 June 2024 - Knowledge

Crypto platform relieved from liability following contraventions of the Corporations Act

#Dispute Resolution & Litigation

A recent Federal Court decision has cast light on the circumstances in which a person found to have contravened a civil penalty provision of the Corporations Act may be relieved from liability.

27 September 2023 - Knowledge

Supreme Court confirms principles in relation to section 437D of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)

#Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency

The recent decision of Sev.en Gamma a.s. v IG Energy Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 1032 usefully illustrates the principles a court will consider when deciding whether to exercise its power under section 437D(2)(c) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

25 July 2023 - Knowledge

Federal Court revisits liquidators and trustees’ ability to seek judicial advice

#Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency

A recent decision reminds liquidators and trustees of the prerequisites they must satisfy in seeking judicial advice. Failure to meet these criteria may result in the court refusing to give such advice.

10 May 2023 - Knowledge

Court of Appeal confirms equity cannot provide relief for lapsed lease options

#Dispute Resolution & Litigation, #Property, Planning & Development

The Queensland Court of Appeal has confirmed that if a tenant fails to validly exercise their lease renewal option within the required timeframe, the option lapses and equity cannot provide relief.