Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Leading firms in Papua New Guinea

Ashurst

Ashurst’s Port Moresby-based practice is well-equipped to advise the government, financial institutions, the country’s law society and local businesses across the spectrum of practice areas. The firm’s workload includes compliance, constitutional, transactional, regulatory and media-related matters; it is noted for its experience assisting on major energy infrastructure projects, in particular. As a member of the firm's wider international network of offices, the team has cross-jurisdictional capabilities. Richard Flynn spearheads the team and is frequently involved in many of the country’s highest-profile projects. Derek Wood is noted for his involvement in high-profile proceedings across practice areas ranging from tax disputes to defamation, whilst Jason Brooks is regularly involved in litigation, arbitration and inquiries concerning major corporations.

Practice head(s):

Richard Flynn


Other key lawyers:

Derek Wood; Jason Brooks


Key clients

Barrick


National Capital District Commission


South Pacific Post


British American Tabaco


iPi


Confidential Corporate Client


FinCorp


National Development Bank


Santos


AIFFP


Mayur Resources


Digicel (PNG) Limited


BSP Financial Group


Avenell Engineering Service


Mayur Resources


Alpha Insurance


Work highlights


  • Acting for NCDC in a GST dispute with the Internal Revenue Commission, the Central Provincial Government, Gulf Provincial Government and the Motu Koita Assembly.
  • Acting for Barrick (Niugini) Limited in a number of court cases.
  • Acting for the Post Courier newspaper and handle defamation claims against it in the National Court and District Court as well as occasional employment law claims by former employees.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth

Corrs Chambers Westgarth assists its clients on corporate, real estate, natural resources and commercial law matters in particular. Further, it has a strong projects practice and is experienced handling the scope of advisory and disputes work that can arise throughout the lifecycle of a project. Its clientele includes reputable domestic companies and global corporations, notable examples being the Bank of Papua New Guinea and Newcrest Mining. Practice head and commercial specialist Vaughan Mills has experience working on major natural resource and infrastructure projects, as well as on key finance and transactional mandates. Ryan Warokra is regularly instructed to advise on corporate and M&A, banking and finance, IT, and manufacturing-relating matters. At associate level, Lisa Kudada is noted for her commercial work.

Practice head(s):

Vaughan Mills


Other key lawyers:

Ryan Warokra; Lisa Kudada; Charles Scerri


Testimonials

‘Corrs have a very strong and integrated practice based in both PNG and Australia. Its depth of experience and understanding is a critically important strength of the Corrs team. They are knowledgeable, commercial and practical in approach.’

‘Vaughan Mills is trusted adviser when it comes to PNG matters, particularly major projects. He is experienced, practical, commercial and very familiar with the country’s circumstances and culture.’

‘The disputes and litigation team has extensive PNG experience and includes senior adviser Charles Scerri.’

Key clients

TotalEnergies E&P PNG Limited


Newcrest Mining and Harmony Gold


Bank of Papua New Guinea


Webuild S.p.A


Petroleum Resources Gobe Limited and Mineral Resources Development Company Limited


PNG Ports Corporation Limited


G4S Limited


Twinza Oil (PNG) Limited


Bock and Partners Solicitors


Central Exploration Pty Ltd


Lihir Gold Limited


Work highlights


  • Acted for TotalEnergies as operator of the USD $13 billion Papua LNG Project defending litigation by landowners within the project footprint who had challenged the validity of petroleum tenements required for the project.
  • Advising one of the world’s largest gold miners, Newcrest Mining, and South Africa’s third-largest gold producer, Harmony Gold, on the world class Wafi-Golpu Project, a proposed underground copper/gold mine.
  • Assisting the Superannuation & Life Insurance Review Committee and the Bank of Papua New Guinea to undertake a review of the legal framework for superannuation and life insurance.

Dentons

Dentons advises its roster of clients on a broad array of matters, from high-value M&A transactions, to major domestic infrastructure and energy projects. Additionally, the team has noteworthy banking and finance capabilities, and is regularly engaged by major banks and borrowers, including such entities as the Central Bank of Papua New Guinea, to advise on lending and debt recovery mandates. Practice head Stephen Massa advises on a variety of key cases across the scope of practice areas, including energy and resources, insurance, shipping, employment and restructuring. Erik Anderson maintains a strong litigation practice, and acts for many high-profile domestic and international clients on such work. At associate level, Rachel Austin focuses on corporate and commercial matters. Also of note is associate Wavie Kendino.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Massa


Other key lawyers:

Erik Anderson; Rachel Austin; Wavie Kendino; Steve Patrick


Testimonials

‘Dentons’ strength lies in its deep knowledge of the context of the jurisdiction and the local economy in which it operates. It is able to mobilise resources to meet a client’s specific needs in good time, leveraging available technology (such as video conferencing platforms) to optimize its service offering.’

‘Steve Patrick is very knowledgeable in employment law in Papua New Guinea.’

‘Erik Anderson’s litigation skills and client management ability is top-shelf.’

Key clients

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited


Westpac Banking Corporation


ExxonMobil


TotalEnergies


Asian Development Bank


Independent State of Papua New Guinea


Central Bank of Papua New Guinea


International Finance Corporation


Kumul Petroleum Holdings


Origin


Kina Securities Limited


Aon


Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited


PNG Sustainable Development Program Ltd


Moni Plus (Heduru Moni Limited)


PNG Ports Corporation


High Arctic Energy Services


Dye & Durham


Clifford Chance


Jackie Gao


ED&F Man Holdings / PNG Coffee Exports


ING and Societe Generale


Mineral Resources Development Company


Arran Energy


Cummins


Santos


National Fisheries Authority


Coca Cola Europacific Partners


MiBank (Nationwide Microfinance Limited)


NCSL (Nasfund Contributors Savings & Loans Society Limited)


Motor Vehicles Insurance Limited


PNG Power


Work highlights


  • Acting for Puma Energy in proceedings commenced by the Bank of Papua New Guinea which claims that Puma breached the terms and conditions of an authority given to Puma to operate an offshore account in Singapore.
  • Acting for the holders of three petroleum retention & prospecting licences over tenements located in the Western and Gulf provinces of PNG where a number of condensate rich gas fields have been discovered.
  • Advised and implemented the sale of Tower Limited shares and the process including ensuring appropriate approvals are in place for offloading of its PNG business.

Allens

Allens‘ Port Moresby practice is well-equipped to offer its clients a full service and is experienced advising in both domestic and international contexts. The firm has particular experience handling major commercial transactions and large-scale projects, and is often engaged in energy, resources, and banking and finance-related work. Practice group leader Richard Kriedemann specialises in M&A mandates, particularly those involving public company takeovers and schemes of arrangement. Another key team member is Paul Brittain who has cross-border finance expertise, and acts for clients across Southeast Asia and the Pacific in such matters. Kenneth Imako was notably promoted to partner in July 2023.

Practice head(s):

Richard Kriedemann


Other key lawyers:

Paul Brittain; Sarah Kuman; Wilma Mai; Russ Marshall


Testimonials

‘Allens has an established, broad practice that is supported by a number of partners and associates in Australia with PNG experience.’

‘The Allens ESG team in Australia are leaders in their area, have extensive experience in PNG matters and integrate well with their very competent colleagues.’

‘Allens has commercial matters well-covered with experienced partners including Sarah Kuman in PNG.’

Key clients

Ok Tedi Mining Limited


International Swaps and Derivatives Association


TotalEnergies


BSP Financial Group


Westpac Banking Corporation PNG


Bank of Communications


Nambawan Super Limited


Mineral Resources Authority


Steamships Trading Company Limited


Work highlights


  • Working with the International Swaps and Derivatives Association on the drafting and publication of ISDA’s first Country Update for PNG.
  • Advising OK Tedi Mining Limited in relation to the complex dispute seeking access to substatial funds held by PNG Sustainable Development Program.
  • Acting as PNG counsel for TotalEnergies (for the Papua LNG Sponsors) in relation to the project financing of the Papua LNG project development of the PRL15 oil and gas fields.