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Leading individuals

Clayton Utz is a ‘first-tier specialist’ in rail projects and aviation finance, with clients including Transport for NSW and Singapore Airlines. John Shirbin is praised for his ‘proactive approach’, and Murray West’s advice is ‘tailored to achieving the best commercial outcome’. Simon Brady heads the ‘very responsive’ team.

Norton Rose Australia’s practice provides ‘credible’ and ‘accurate’ advice and is ‘extremely price competitive’. It handles cross-border transactions spanning rail, shipping and aviation; Ernest Van Buuren acted for Costamare and its insurer on the grounding of the MV Rena, and Alen Pazin advised Brookfield Rail on financing its rail infrastructure expansion in Western Australia. The ‘excellent’ Tom Young shows a real understanding of clients’ businesses, and Adrian Ahern is also recommended.

Ashurst LLP has a ‘high quality team’ that is ‘ exceptionally strong ’ in transport infrastructure; it has acted in large integrated port and rail projects including Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal. John Field advised Qantas on the sale and leaseback of five Boeing aircraft, and Justin Shmith advised DFCCIL on the dedicated freight corridor between Delhi and Mumbai.

DLA Piper Australia is ‘extremely good’ in marine disputes and often acts for underwriters in cargo claims against airlines. Andrew Johnstone’s arrival from Holman Fenwick Willan added further weight to the shipping practice, and Jane Hider is advising the Regional Rail Link Authority of Victoria on the Regional Rail Link project. Alex Guy and the ‘very knowledgeable’ Andrew Tulloch are recommended.

The ‘impressive’ HWL Ebsworth is ‘one of the most experienced firms’ acting for P&I clubs; it regularly advises on charterparty disputes and collisions. Led by the ‘very experienced’ Joe Hurley, the team includes Simon Liddy, who handles corporate governance and liability issues, and Danella Wilmshurst, who advises on freight forwarding.

Henry Davis York’s Tony Woods played a key role in creating Transport for NSW, and Steven Blanch advised RailCorp on a A$44m dispute with Downer Edi Rail. Michael Greene heads the team.

Holman Fenwick Willan represents P&I clubs in significant claims. Robert Springall acted for China Shipping on an appeal heard in the Supreme Court of New South Wales concerning liability for container detention. Gavin Vallely advises on the tax aspects of operating tonnage in Australia, and Hazel Brewer handles offshore oil and gas matters in Western Australia.

Minter Ellison is active in the automotive, port and rail sectors, and is lead adviser to Toll Holdings. Procurement specialist Neal Parkinson handles government work while Jacinda de Witts focuses on passenger transport matters.

Cocks MacNish advises the majority of Western Australia’s P&I clubs, as well as charterers and shipowners on cargo claims, shipbuilding and finance. Maritime specialist Timothy Cocks is ‘particularly knowledgeable’, and Graeme MacNish and Ashley Nichols are also recommended.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth lost former transport head Adam Handley to Minter Ellison in 2012, but the team still demonstrates ‘extensive expertise in transport-related law’, and attracts praise for its ‘ability to communicate’. Bruce Adkins provides ‘sensible advice’, and clients include QR National.

Norton White advises vessel owners and Sydney-based P&I clubs involved in collisions. Aviation specialist Mark Mackrell leads the group.

Piper Alderman is ‘very well respected by legal competitors’, and represents a number of marine insurers and international logistics firms. Frazer Hunt is recommended; he ‘takes both the legal position and the commercial approach into account when resolving disputes’.

Thynne & Macartney has a ‘strong reputation’ among Brisbane’s P&I clubs. Frank Turner and Michael Fisher head the team.

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