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Geoff Farnsworth

Partner - Sydney

Areas of Expertise

Corporate & Commercial Law, Agribusiness, Dispute Resolution & Litigation, Transport, Shipping & Logistics, Renewable Energy

Contact Geoff

+61 2 8083 0416 0419 721 221 geoff.farnsworth@holdingredlich.com Connect

Expertise

Geoff is one of Australia’s leading transport and commodities lawyers with 25 years' experience in the field. He has been recognised in the latest Chambers Asia-Pacific guide for providing strategic and effective legal advice in the shipping space and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in Australia as a leading lawyer in 'Transportation Law', 'Shipping & Maritime Law' and 'Trade Law' since 2013.

Geoff has also been recognised as a leading ‘Admiralty, Shipping & Maritime Law’ lawyer by Doyle’s Guide since 2016. In 2022, he was named by Who’s Who Legal as a global leader in the shipping space.

Geoff practices in complex commercial, disputes and regulatory matters for clients involved with Transport, Agribusiness and Energy and Resources.

Geoff works closely with industry associations and brings a close working knowledge of industry practices to his legal advice.

He advises clients in relation to dispute resolution (including domestic and international arbitration); Admiralty claims and ship arrest; ship sale and purchase; port logistics; regulatory matters; domestic and international sale of goods; trade finance and insurance; governance, business structures and competition law.

In 2023, Geoff was recognised as a thought leader by Mondaq's Thought Leadership Awards for Australia in autumn for his article 'Managing the agricultural supply chain: Contract negotiation and management'.

Experience

Transport

Geoff represents shipowners and carriers in relation to liability, Admiralty and regulatory matters as well as stevedoring and terminal operator’s agreements and sale and finance of vessels.

He regularly acts for domestic transport operators and their directors in relation to 'Chain of Responsibility' prosecutions and safety related matters.

Geoff also advises providers and consumers of logistics services (including manufacturers and retailers) in relation to long and short-term contractual arrangements. He has drafted various standard-form contract documents including charterparties, contracts of affreightment and bills of lading.

Geoff advises local and international marine insurers in relation to coverage and claims issues.

Energy and resources

Geoff advises resources companies, producers and financiers in relation to logistics and sale of goods and enforcement issues including supply and off-take agreements and issues relating to title to goods.

Publications

07 June 2023 - Knowledge

HVNL: Contraventions of primary and safety duties

#Transport, Shipping & Logistics, #Administrative Law, #Dispute Resolution & Litigation

A recent tribunal decision gives insight into what is, and will be ‘reasonably practicable’ in the context of establishing potential contraventions of primary and safety duties under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

17 May 2023 - Knowledge

Managing the agricultural supply chain: Contract negotiation and management

#Agribusiness, #Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), #Transport, Shipping & Logistics, #Procurement

The agribusiness sector is experiencing significant shifts in its supply chain contracts due to changing market dynamics and growing sustainability concerns. What are the key areas undergoing generational change? How can companies adapt to this evolving landscape?

05 May 2023 - Knowledge

International sanctions and contracts under Australian law

#Transport, Shipping & Logistics

We provide a brief overview of Australia’s sanctions regime and share key learnings from a recent case that examined the effectiveness of using ‘reasonable endeavours’ when circumventing contract terms under imposed international sanctions.

22 March 2023 - Knowledge

NSW Government Bulletin

#Government, #Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

In this edition, we look at the relevance of ESG to governments and their agencies, the impact of ESG on public policies and priorities, and the challenge of balancing priorities and social mores.

11 November 2022 - Knowledge

The ambiguity in determining the 'owner' of a vessel

#Transport, Shipping & Logistics

We revisit a dispute between Ixom Operations and Blue One Shipping and consider how maritime lawyers can avoid making a claim against the wrong party before being time-barred.

27 October 2022 - Knowledge

Armada v Woodside Energy: Steps to validly terminate a contract

#Transport, Shipping & Logistics

The legal saga between the two companies bring into focus the circumstances when a contract may be terminated and the careful steps a party needs to follow to ensure that a contract is validly cancelled.

25 October 2022 - Knowledge

ACCC makes a move on Dairy Code compliance

#Private Client Practice, #Agribusiness

A case reminds all dairy processors that breaching the Dairy Industry Code of Conduct may result in ACCC enforcement action, including court proceedings.

31 August 2022 - Knowledge

NSW Government Bulletin

#Government, #Data & Privacy

In this edition, we remind government agencies that the use of automated decision-making tools need to be balanced against transparency and explainability requirements.

22 June 2022 - Knowledge

Unpacking greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in transport, ESG and supply chains

#Transport, Shipping & Logistics, #Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), #Planning, Environment & Sustainability

The Australian transport industry needs to find ways to export goods over long distances efficiently and, at the same time, balance the pressure from ESG investors to ‘decarbonise’ and enhance sustainability practices. In this article, we unpack the meaning of GHG emissions across the sector and ESG in supply chains. 

15 June 2022 - Knowledge

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) explained: Five important considerations for companies and their lawyers

#Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), #Corporate & Commercial Law, #Dispute Resolution & Litigation, #Planning, Environment & Sustainability

The term ‘ESG’ is becoming increasingly popular in the world of business and investment. Apart from knowing that it stands for environmental, social and governance, what does the term really mean and why is it important for your business?

23 March 2022 - Knowledge

Royal Caribbean Cruises appeal – the ship master’s power of detention at common law

#Transport, Shipping & Logistics, #Dispute Resolution & Litigation

A recent decision of the NSW Supreme Court has clarified a ship master’s authority at common law to detain or confine a passenger while on board a vessel on the high seas.

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