Current practice

Geoff specialises in complex corporate defence litigation and regulatory matters. Clients access technical excellence, industry knowledge and superb service when working with Geoff, as acknowledged in Chambers Global 2007.

Over 17 years Geoff has worked closely with clients on major civil disputes and inquiries, in particular in the financial services sector. He has advised extensively on corporations law matters, class actions and regulatory issues.

Geoff is the Freehills Client Relationship Partner for National Australia Bank (NAB), the largest financial institution in Australia and for BHP Billiton, the world’s largest diversified miner, both highly significant clients of the firm.

Industry experience

Major Cases

BHP Billiton — Oil for Food Royal Commission

Geoff represented BHP Billiton during 2006 in a major Commission of Inquiry into whether certain Australian companies breached Australian laws in their dealings with Iraq. This Commission of Inquiry followed the United Nations Independent Inquiry Committee (Volcker) report in October 2005.  BHP Billiton was fully cleared by that Inquiry.

Geoff also advised BHP Billton on a major internal investigation into the same issues. A detailed public report was released in December 2006.

Sons of Gwalia

Geoff is jointly leading a team of lawyers, instructed by the Deed Administrators of Sons of Gwalia Limited, in major audit negligence proceedings commenced in the Supreme Court of Western Australia in February 2007.

National Australia Bank/MLC — regulatory advice

Geoff is advising NAB in a $700 million dispute with the Australian Tax Office over the issue of the ExCaps securities into the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe in 1997.

Geoff has also advised NAB, MLC and BNZ on a variety of other significant regulatory matters involving ASIC, APRA, the ATO and the NZ Commerce Commission during 2005 and 2006.

Carnival plc

Geoff is currently representing Carnival plc in a major public inquiry in Sydney affecting its cruising operations in the Asia Pacific, under the P&O Australia trading name.

National Australia Bank

Ausmaq proceedings

Geoff was involved for a number of years in leading a legal team acting for NAB and various senior executives in the defence of a major claim, spanning over 10 separate proceedings in Australia and overseas (including appellate proceedings).

The case was one of the largest commercial cases in Australian legal history involving a claim for more than $50 billion, a hearing of in excess of 220 days and the delivery of over 50 interlocutory judgments.  It involved proceedings in the United Kingdom and threatened proceedings in the United States.

All claims against NAB and the other defendants were dismissed with costs in January 2002. The United Kingdom publication, International Lawyer, said at that time: 'Freehills saves NAB from £20 billion disaster.'

Attempts to restart the proceedings were dismissed in 2005 and 2006 by the NSW Supreme Court and by the High Court.  A range of related actions continue.

Other clients

Clients for whom Geoff has provided (or is providing) litigation assistance, and regulatory advice, in other major matters include:

• Australian and New Zealand Bank
• Lend Lease
• Macquarie Bank
• IBM
• 3M
• Patrick Corporation
• GlaxoSmithKline
• ITT Sheraton

Geoff is profiled in various current publications, including Chambers Global, PLC Which Lawyer Yearbook 2007, Asia Pacific Legal 500 and Global Counsel 3000. He is listed in the Guide to the World’s Leading Litigation Lawyers 2007. He is regularly identified as a leading dispute resolution practitioner in Australia.

He was included in the Australian Legal Business list of the 'Hot 30' lawyers in 2004.

Professional background

Geoff commenced at Freehills, Sydney in January 1990 and became a partner in January 1997. He is an economics and law graduate from the University of Sydney. He is admitted to practice in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Geoff is an active member of the International Bar Association (Committee O, International Litigation) and is currently the Australian Chair of that Committee. He regularly contributes papers to the IBA on international litigation and regulatory matters.

Geoff also regularly presents seminars to clients that are customised to their needs.  He has authored various papers, on his key areas of experience, including a recent article in the Companies and Securities Law Journal: Legal Professional Privilege and the investigative powers of the Australian Securities & Investments Commission.