Artboard 1Icon/UI/CalendarIcons/Ionic/Social/social-pinterestIcon/UI/Video-outline

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 since 2022 in The Best Lawyers in Australia for Retail Law. 

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

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.

27 September 2022 - Knowledge

Leaving things to chance: ‘Agreements to agree’ in leasing

#Dispute Resolution & Litigation

We look at a recent Supreme Court decision that delivered an interesting analysis of a promise by two contracting parties to ‘negotiate and agree’ an adjustment to their respective contractual rights and obligations due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

17 November 2021 - Knowledge

Plausible or patently feeble? Default clause a penalty, statutory demand set-aside

#Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency

A recent decision of the Supreme Court of Victoria provides guidance on the drafting of settlement terms and a reminder of the low bar to establishing a genuine dispute under section 459H of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

26 August 2021 - Knowledge

Victoria’s 2021 Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme – a summary

#Property, Planning & Development, #COVID-19

Our ongoing commentary on the Victorian Government's Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme.

04 August 2021 - Knowledge

Update: Victorian Government reintroduces COVID commercial tenancy relief scheme

#Property, Planning & Development, #COVID-19

We outline the key points covered in the Victorian Government’s Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Bill 2021 and explore which tenants will likely be eligible for the scheme.