I view disputes as business problems with legal aspects – if the commercial aspects can be resolved, the legal issues tend to follow. It is crucial to direct resources at the issues that truly matter.

I have regularly acted as an advocate and mediator. I enjoy devising time- and cost-effective ways to resolve disputes and thinking laterally to overcome issues.

Career highlights

• Commonwealth and Western Australian governments – advised on defending judicial review proceedings regarding an offshore exploration licence
• Acted in litigation on behalf of insurers arising from the Roleystone bushfires of 2011
• Represented a Chinese state-owned enterprise in an international arbitration about a mining project in Western Australia
• Advised a high-profile Middle Eastern defendant facing a claim of $10.5 billion in civil proceedings in six countries and criminal proceedings in two
• Acted in an international arbitration regarding the railway system of Kenya and Uganda
• Advised on disputes about highly complex credit derivatives
• Qualified as a solicitor advocate in England and Wales – one of the first solicitors to do so – as well as in the British Virgin Islands
• Former Co-Chair of the IBA's Litigation Committee
• Listed in Best Lawyers, Doyles' Guide and Who's Who Legal for dispute resolution, asset recovery and litigation thought leadership

I recognise the importance of our pro bono work. My pro bono work includes conducting prosecutions for the RSPCA in Western Australia, acting for the Western Australian Men’s Shed Association and the administrators of an Aboriginal corporation, all on a pro bono basis.

Education
LLB

• Member, International Bar Association
• Co-chair of the International Bar Association's Litigation Committee

• NSW Supreme Court advances the case for market based causation
  

  Market-based causation theory posits that investors need not prove direct reliance on mising information to recover losses from inflated security prices. The HIH case exemplifies this, enabling shareholders to claim damages without demonstrating explicit reliance. This approach may impact future shareholder class actions, reshaping how causation is established in securities litigation.

• Five important cases for WA mining executives from the June 2022 quarter
  

  We have briefly summarised five cases from the last quarter relevant to commercial decision makers in the mining sector. The cases relate to the interpretation of a royalty clause, enforcement of restraints of employment, a director's entitlement to performance shares, pay to play provisions of subcontracts and remedying share trading without a valid cleansing notice or prospectus.

   

• Five important cases for mining executives from the March 2024 quarter
  

  We explore five cases that demonstrate current trends in the mining sector.

• High Court denies Spain's challenge to sovereign immunity
  

  Australia's High Court has recently considered whether a foreign State had waived its immunity from the Australian courts.

• Five important cases for mining executives June 2023 quarter
  

  We explore five case studies that demonstrate current trends in the mining sector. This article includes: Bare Form 5s doesn’t prove expenditure compliance; guidance on related party applicants in a ballot for priority; Judicial review of Warden's decision to dismiss forfeiture application; Supreme Court of NSW refuses application to remove mine accident report from the regulator's website.

• Four cases and one amendment to legislation impacting WA miners
  

  The outcome of four recent cases and one amendment to legislation will impact commercial decision makers in the mining sector in Western Australia. In our quarterly update, we summarise those cases and what they mean for the sector.

• Exploring mining's outlook: Insights from key executives
  

  MinterEllison's Perth-based team met with key mining executives to delve deeper into the sector's evolving trends and outlook

   

• 5 important cases for mining executives December 2023 quarter
  

  We explore five case studies that demonstrate current trends in the mining sector.

• Five important cases for mining executives from the February 2023 quarter
  

  We explore five case studies that explore recent trends in the mining sector. This article includes: Minister's powers in relation to the grant of exploration licences, Warden refuses to hear environmental objectors and Oral contracts with third parties.

• Six important cases for mining executives from the March 2023 quarter
  

  We consider six recent cases that explore current issues in the mining sector.