Chris Brodrick - Partner | Melbourne Lawyer | Holding Redlich

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.

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 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.

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.

Upcoming Seminars

07 Dec 23 - Brisbane

The gift of caselaw at Christmas – Holding Redlich’s review of the most important construction cases of 2023

Join our Brisbane Construction, Infrastructure & Projects team as they count down the construction cases that mattered in 2023. Our presenters will look at the facts of each case, the decision, the lessons to be learnt and what they mean in a practical sense for the industry as we move into 2024.

Register now

07 Dec 23

Greenwashing and sustainability in ports | Ports series 2023

To help you understand greenwashing and the regulatory risks associated with non-compliance, Partner, Joanne Jary will discuss the risks, law and enforcement action examples to learn from. While with mandatory sustainability reporting on the way, Partner, Vanessa Maruna will discuss sustainability in the ports sector, proposed reporting standards and what ports need to do to be ready for the mandatory reporting.

Register now

Holding Redlich respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate as the continuing custodians of this land. We recognise their continuing connection to Country, practices, knowledge systems and communities. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present.