Best Lawyers 2014 - 2016. Listed for Bet the Company Litigation, Constitutional Law,
Alternative Dispute Resolution and Litigation
Chambers Global and Chambers Asia-Pacific 2014 - 2017. Dispute Resolution Australia
- Star individuals
Acting as an arbitrator or expert determiner in domestic and international arbitrations in relation to a
wide range of disputes, including:
- fixing the rent for leasing government owned waterfronts;
- determining the wholesale price for supply of gas from producers to energy companies and to
industrial users;
- determining the amounts payable by one Australian government for the use by its residents of
the hospital services of another Australian government under an intergovernmental agreement;
- resolving disputes as to the amounts payable for supply of energy;
- resolving major disputes between contractor and principal in relation to the installation of a new
telecommunications network;
- resolving disputes concerning the supply of coal from Australia to other countries;
resolving insurance disputes, including disputes about reinsurance;
- determining the final amount payable under a major development agreement between land
owner and developer;
- resolving major contractual disputes in Australia concerning the construction of maritime
infrastructure;
- resolving international contractual disputes.
He sometimes acts as a mediator and has done so in international insurance disputes.
He has also been appointed to conduct a number of inquiries for the Australian and State governments.
• In 1986-1987 he was Chairman of the Australian Government's Constitutional Commission's
Advisory Committee on the Australian Judicial System
• In 1996 he conducted the "Southern Cross Syndicate" Inquiry for the Australian Government
• In 2004 he was appointed by the New South Wales government as a Special Commission of
Inquiry into the Medical Research and Compensation Foundation established by the James
Hardie Group
• In 2011 he was appointed by the New South Wales government as Chairman of the Recall
Elections Panel of Experts
Career:
1963 -1964 Associate to Sir Harry Gibbs, then a member of the Supreme Court of Queensland,
later Chief Justice of Australia
1965 -1985. Practised at both trial and appellate level "across the board", but developed a particular
reputation in mining and petroleum cases, and in constitutional law. Appeared as counsel for mining
and petroleum interests in the Commonwealth-Queensland Royal Commission into petroleum drilling on
the Great Barrier Reef and in highly controversial mineral sand mining inquiries in relation to Coo loo la,
Moreton Island, Fraser Island, Agnes Water and Sunshine Beach. Appeared also in relation to proposed
uranium mine in north Queensland, and other mining proposals. In constitutional law appeared on
many occasions as leading counsel for the State of Queensland and other parties in the High Court of
Australia.
Appeared also in the High Court of Australia in many general law appeals.
Appeared in Judicial Committee of Privy Council until abolition of Australian appeals.
1985-1987. As Judge of the Federal Court, sat as a trial and appellate Judge on federal matters,
principally commercial and administrative law.
1987-present.
(1) Appeals and constitutional cases in the High Court of Australia and the intermediate
federal and State courts of appeal. He has also appeared as counsel in Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands,
Tonga and New Zealand courts.
(2) Advising, often being retained by both parties to a dispute to provide an opinion to assist in its
resolution.
(3) Acting as an Arbitrator, Mediator or to provide an Expert Determination
Publications:
• "Professional Responsibilities of In-House Counsel". A paper delivered in Brisbane on 26
February 2015.
• "What should we do with the States?". A paper delivered on 21 May 2015 as part of the
Current Legal Issues 2015 Seminar Series arranged by the Bar Association of Queensland, the
University of Queensland, the Queensland University of Technology and the Supreme Court
of Queensland Library.
• "Appellate Advocacy". A paper delivered to the New South Wales Bar Association on 25 May
2015.
• "Chapter Ill Courts". A paper delivered to the Supreme and Federal Courts' judges
conference, Brisbane on 26 January 2016.
• "Sir Harry Gibbs". A paper presented to the Selden Society, Brisbane on 17 March 2016.
• "Advocacy in lnternotional Arbitrations". A paper delivered on 24 May 2016 to the Chartered
Institute of Arbitrators, Australia
• "Advocacy in Arbitration". An address delivered on 13 August 2016 to the New South Wales
Bar Association's 2016 ADR Master Class
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