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Chad specialises in cross-border disputes and international arbitration across the Asia-Pacific region.

Chad co-leads the firm’s Asia Arbitration Hub, supporting clients along the Asia–Australia corridor in cross-border disputes and international arbitrations.

He has expertise with respect to disputes arising from M&A activity and joint ventures in Asia, particularly in China, experience largely gained while working in Hong Kong for close to three years. He assists clients in numerous sectors, with a strong interest in the energy and resources, manufacturing and technology sectors, advising clients on structuring transactions and drafting dispute resolution provisions to best protect clients engaging in international investment and cross-border transactions.

In his formative years as a disputes lawyer, Chad advised clients on fast track litigation, class actions litigation, Royal Commissions and interactions with regulators whilst under investigation.

Chad regularly speaks and writes on issues relating to international arbitration. He is a Board member of local arbitration institution, ACICA, a member of ACICA’s Victorian steering committee and a founding steering committee member for ACICA 45, ACICA’s young practitioner’s arm.

Chad is one of only 12 practitioners in Australia recognised as a Future Leader in Arbitration by Who’s Who Legal.

Background

Chad is based in Melbourne but was previously based in Hong Kong and maintains a Hong Kong practising certificate. He holds a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from the University of Adelaide and a Masters of Laws from the University of Melbourne. He is admitted in Victoria, Australia and in Hong Kong.

 

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Experience & expertise

Selected matters

  • a leading global supply chain and logistics business in HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong regarding two disputed distribution agreements
  • a Philippine bank in UNCITRAL arbitration administered by the HKIAC regarding a software licensing and services agreement governed by Philippine law  
  • a Chinese state-owned enterprise and its subsidiary in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore relating to an acquisition of oil and gas assets in the North Sea
  • a Chinese state-owned enterprise in ad hoc arbitration proceedings seated in Hong Kong regarding debt investments in oil and gas interests in Africa
  • a leading market expansion and logistics business in post-M&A disputes regarding working capital adjustments
  • a Malaysian energy company in SIAC emergency arbitration proceedings to obtain anti-suit relief in respect of proceedings commenced in India
  • CITIC Limited and certain subsidiaries in Australian Court proceedings relating to a mining joint venture in Western Australia
  • an international pharmaceuticals company in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore relating to disputes under a master research agreement
  • a European investment management firm in HKIAC proceedings relating to a joint venture dispute with a Chinese party, including a disputed agreement to buy out the Chinese party's interest in the joint venture
  • a Chinese pharmaceuticals company and its founder in HKIAC arbitration relating to a private equity investment in the form of a bondholding
  • a Hong Kong company and one its major shareholders, in ICC arbitration seated in Singapore relating to a breach of warranty dispute with a South Korean conglomerate arising from the sale of a business in China
  • electricity distributor SP AusNet in the Royal Commission and long running class actions arising from the 2009 bushfires in Victoria