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    We picked the most highly specialised and talented lawyers

    Chamberlains has the tools and experience to put rigorous risk management at the heart of your operations, but we are equally equipped to help you navigate all types of large-scale, complex and sensitive litigation actions where necessary.

    Stipe Vuleta

    Managing Director

    Lachlan McBride

    Director

    Sayward McKeown

    Associate Director

    Neil Bookseller

    Senior Associate

    Sam Keys-Asgill

    Associate

    Our process

    01Initial Case Assessment

    We begin with a thorough consultation to understand the nature of your dispute, the parties involved, and your desired outcome. This step allows us to identify key issues and provide clear advice on your options.


    02Evidence Review & Strategy Development

    Our team examines all relevant documents, correspondence, and evidence to assess the strengths and risks of your case. We then develop a strategic plan aimed at achieving the best possible resolution, whether through negotiation or litigation.


    03Formal Engagement

    Once you approve the proposed approach, we formalize our engagement by outlining the scope of work, timelines, and fees. This step ensures transparency and gives you confidence that your matter is in expert hands.


    04Representation & Advocacy

    We implement the agreed strategy, which may involve negotiation, mediation, or court proceedings. Our experienced litigators advocate strongly for your interests while keeping you informed at every stage.


    05Resolution & Post-Matter Support

    After the dispute is resolved, we provide a clear summary of the outcome and advice on any next steps, such as enforcing judgments or preventing future disputes. Our team remains available for ongoing support whenever you need it.


    Our services

    01 Commercial Litigation & Contract Disputes

    Contract Breaches & Enforcement

    We manage disputes involving non-performance, delayed delivery, or misrepresentation in commercial agreements. Our approach includes reviewing contract terms, assessing remedies, and preparing targeted pleadings focused on breach and causation. We also advise on interim relief such as injunctions to prevent further loss and preserve assets. Where appropriate, we engage forensic document examiners and industry experts to strengthen evidentiary positions.

    Termination & Exit Strategies

    When relationships break down, we design exit plans that minimise exposure and preserve rights. This includes negotiating settlement deeds, drafting releases, and managing confidentiality obligations to avoid reputational harm. We also prepare risk assessments for ongoing obligations and advise on strategies to prevent future disputes.

    Damages & Loss Quantification

    We build detailed damages models covering lost profits, reliance costs, and consequential losses. Forensic accountants and industry experts are engaged to validate calculations and strengthen evidentiary positions. Our team prepares scenario analyses to support negotiation ranges and litigation strategy.

    Governance & Fiduciary Breaches

    We act in matters involving director duties, minority oppression, and governance failures. Our team prepares board minute reviews, compliance chronologies, and targeted discovery requests to establish breaches without unnecessary intrusion. We also advise on interim governance measures to stabilise operations during disputes.

    Shareholder Remedies & Buy-Outs

    We pursue remedies under statutory oppression provisions, including share buy-outs and governance reforms. Negotiation strategies aim for commercial solutions before litigation escalates, supported by valuation reports and independent expert opinions.

    Deadlock Resolution & Mediation

    Where joint ventures or partnerships stall, we implement structured mediation protocols and draft deadlock clauses for future-proofing. Our approach prioritises continuity and cost control, often using hybrid ADR models to avoid prolonged litigation.

    Commercial Leasing Conflicts

    We resolve disputes over rent reviews, make-good obligations, and termination rights. Our team prepares lease interpretation statements and engages valuers for market rent assessments. We also advise on compliance with retail leasing legislation and disclosure obligations.

    Ownership & Title Issues

    We act in matters involving caveats, easements, and co-ownership disagreements. Evidence plans include title searches, historical dealings, and valuation reports to support claims. Where urgent, we seek injunctions to prevent unauthorised dealings or asset dissipation.

    Construction & Defect Claims

    We manage claims for defective works, delays, and variations, coordinating expert reports and sequencing claims to align with contractual notice requirements. Our team also advises on security of payment regimes and adjudication processes.

    Demand & Enforcement Actions

    We issue statutory demands, commence recovery proceedings, and enforce judgments through garnishee orders, writs, and charging orders. Our protocols ensure compliance with insolvency thresholds and timing rules. We also prepare asset tracing reports and negotiate structured repayment plans where appropriate.

    Insolvency & Liquidation Advice

    We advise directors and creditors on voluntary administration, liquidation, and restructuring options. Strategies include negotiating deeds of company arrangement and assessing voidable transaction risks. Our team also assists with director liability mitigation and safe harbour compliance.

    Cross-Border Recovery

    Where assets or debtors are offshore, we coordinate recognition applications and tracing actions, leveraging international enforcement frameworks and local counsel. We prepare multi-jurisdictional enforcement maps to streamline recovery efforts.

    Investigations & Disciplinary Hearings

    We represent clients in regulator inquiries, disciplinary tribunals, and licensing disputes. Our submissions balance legal argument with mitigation strategies to reduce penalty exposure. We also prepare witness coaching plans and procedural guides to reduce stress during hearings.

    Compliance Breaches & Enforcement

    We manage responses to infringement notices, enforceable undertakings, and civil penalty proceedings. Our approach includes remediation plans, calibrated cooperation, and proactive engagement to protect reputation.

    Appeals & Judicial Review

    Where decisions are flawed, we pursue appeals or judicial review, preparing grounds based on procedural error, jurisdictional overreach, or unreasonableness. We also advise on interim stay applications to prevent enforcement during review.

    Mediation & Conciliation

    We design mediation protocols that reduce confrontation, including separate rooms, agreed agendas, and confidentiality undertakings. Our team prepares position papers, settlement ranges, and draft terms to maximise success.

    Arbitration & Expert Determination

    We draft arbitration agreements, manage evidence exchange, and engage technical experts for industry-specific disputes. Strategies focus on speed, cost control, and enforceability of awards, supported by procedural timetables and compliance checklists.

    Hybrid & Early Resolution Models

    We implement early neutral evaluation and structured negotiation frameworks to resolve disputes before litigation escalates, reducing cost and preserving relationships. Our team also advises on multi-tiered dispute resolution clauses for future contracts.

    Coverage Analysis & Policy Triggers

    We conduct a thorough review of professional indemnity policies to confirm coverage for alleged breaches, exclusions, and notification requirements. This includes mapping policy triggers against claim facts, identifying retroactive dates, and advising on aggregation clauses to prevent coverage gaps. We also prepare compliance checklists for timely notifications to insurers, reducing denial risk.

    Defence of Professional Negligence Allegations

    We act for professionals facing negligence claims, preparing detailed evidence packs, expert opinions, and compliance chronologies to demonstrate adherence to industry standards. Our team engages technical specialists to validate processes and mitigate liability exposure. We also advise on proportionality strategies to limit costs and reputational damage during proceedings.

    Settlement & Reputation Management

    Negotiation strategies include confidentiality undertakings, structured settlements, and regulator engagement to protect reputation and minimise financial exposure. We draft settlement deeds with indemnity provisions and coordinate media response plans to ensure consistent messaging and privacy safeguards.

    Contractual Risk Reviews

    We audit contracts for dispute-prone clauses, drafting amendments and fallback positions to reduce litigation risk. Our reviews cover indemnities, limitation of liability, termination triggers, and escalation pathways. We also prepare risk matrices and scenario analyses to help clients understand exposure before signing.

    Governance & Compliance Frameworks

    We design governance protocols and compliance programs that prevent disputes, including escalation pathways, reporting cycles, and internal audit mechanisms. Our frameworks integrate regulatory obligations with practical workflows, supported by policy manuals and training modules.

    Training & Early Intervention

    We deliver tailored training for boards and managers on dispute prevention, early warning signs, and negotiation techniques. Our programs include interactive workshops, decision trees, and playbooks for handling emerging conflicts before they escalate. We also implement early intervention protocols that allow issues to be resolved internally without external litigation.

    Clear Strategy When Conflict Arises

    Disputes can disrupt operations, strain relationships, and damage reputation. When you’re ready to address conflict, you need a legal team that listens, protects your interests, and moves at your pace. We start by clarifying your goals, whether that’s swift resolution, formal findings, or preserving commercial relationships with minimal stress.

    Turning Complexity Into Clarity

    We translate complex litigation processes into a step-by-step plan: what evidence helps, how pleadings are framed, who will be involved (experts, mediators, courts), and how we’ll minimise cost and disruption. Every conversation is plain English and consent-based. You control the speed and scope; we handle the heavy lifting discreetly and respectfully.

    What Litigation & Dispute Resolution Covers

    This area spans commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, property conflicts, debt recovery, regulatory matters, and ADR. It requires disciplined evidence gathering (contracts, financial records, valuations), careful modelling of outcomes (damages, enforcement costs), and sensitive negotiation designed to reach fair results without unnecessary confrontation. Where parallel processes exist, regulatory inquiries, insolvency, or arbitration, we coordinate pathways so your rights and operations remain protected.

    Reducing Risk, Cost, and Stress

    Litigation can feel overwhelming. We reduce stress with short, focused meetings; clear agendas; permission-based questioning; and written summaries so you never feel lost. We sequence actions to prevent duplication, collecting records once, reusing analyses across issues, and aligning expert reports to evidentiary needs.

    Client Care That Puts You First

    You will have a dedicated contact who coordinates experts, deadlines, and communications, so you don’t have to repeat your story. We adopt confidentiality protocols (secure channels, limited distribution lists, “need to know” access), and offer referrals to forensic accountants, valuers, and industry specialists where relevant. We are empathetic but frank: we’ll clarify prospects of success, realistic ranges, and timing factors, so you make decisions with clear expectations.

    Key Things to Know

    • You set the pace: We follow your comfort level and preferred communication style.
    • Evidence builds fairness: Contracts, financial records, valuations, and witness statements strengthen positions.
    • Multiple pathways exist: Litigation, ADR, and regulatory engagement can be combined.
    • Privacy is paramount: We manage confidentiality, media, and third-party contact with strict protocols.
    • Support is integral: We can coordinate services that help you through the process, not just the legal steps.

    Your Path to Resolution Starts Here

    You deserve clarity, respect, and practical support. With Champions, you’ll have a steady team that protects your privacy, manages complexity, and pursues outcomes that reflect both legal and commercial goals. We move at your pace, keep communication grounded, and design a pathway that minimises stress while maximising fairness.

    Book a confidential consultation with our Litigation & Dispute Resolution team to explore your options now, because your business, your reputation, and your rights deserve protection.

    Call us at 1300 676 823
    Email us at hello@chamberlains.com.au


    Related Practice Areas

    As part of a full-service firm we can also draw on the legal and industry knowledge of our expert Chamberlains colleagues who represent almost every area of legal practice.

    View All Services

     


    FAQ

    01Do I have to go to court?

    Not always; many disputes resolve through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration without litigation.

    Contracts, financial records, correspondence, and expert reports strengthen your position.

    Yes, limitation periods apply; early advice helps preserve rights and avoid expiry.

    Yes; we implement strict confidentiality protocols and manage external contact carefully.

    Often yes; we use cross-border enforcement tools and local counsel to progress matters.

    You may still have options; seek advice early to confirm limitation positions and evidence needs.

    Only when rules require or strategy benefits; we support either path and manage parallel processes.

    Negotiations can resolve in weeks; litigation varies by complexity and cooperation.

    Expert, forensic, and financial support can be integrated with legal steps to reduce disruption.

    Funding options may include staged scopes, fixed-fee phases, and cost management plans, ask us early.

    Yes; mediation and arbitration often deliver faster, confidential outcomes compared to court.

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