New Chambers has been recognised as a Band 1 set by Chambers and Partner in their “Asia – Pacific 2020, Dispute Resolution: The Bar in Australia” rankings. Chambers and Partners reviews are in italics
This Sydney set is home to over 50 barristers, practising in over 50 practice areas and appearing in court, administrative tribunal and public inquiry proceedings and a variety of alternative dispute resolution processes across Australia and abroad. The chambers’ versatile offering includes strong concentrations of expertise in the financial services and competition sectors, and its members include a star of the Appellate Bar and pre-eminent providers of advice and advocacy on taxation and shipping issues. Interviewees are quick to compliment both the high-quality legal acumen and the freedom from administrative friction that the set provides. One notes: “I find all of the senior counsel I approach at New Chambers incredibly responsive, even though they are clearly in high demand and very busy.” Others speak of “a very well-run office with plenty of support for the barristers” and “clerks who well appreciate the need for responsiveness in attending to clients.” Clerk Michael Wilcox is a recommended contact.
New Chambers was also strongly represented in the individual ranking with 11 members being ranked.
Dispute Resolution: The Bar
David Jackson QC (Star Individual) continues to enjoy recognition, not only as “one of the top silks in Australia,” but more specifically as “the country’s pre-eminent and most experienced appeal counsel.” He also offers extensive experience of conducting official inquiries at both state and Commonwealth levels and is an accomplished arbitrator and mediator.
Neil Young QC (Star Individual) maintains his reputation as one of the clear leaders of the Victorian Bar, one interviewee going so far as to identify him as “the best commercial silk in Australia.” Other sources cite his “highly valued and extensive experience as an appellate advocate” and his ability to establish “an excellent grasp of complex detail in a very short timeframe,” while a source sums him up as “an exceptional, incredibly hard-working barrister, always well prepared and an absolute pain to be on the other side of.”
Elizabeth Cheeseman SC is an “excellent senior counsel,” particularly recommended for her work in the financial services space and also well known for her work on behalf of regulatory bodies such as ASIC or the ATO, and the Australian Federal Police. She is also prominent both in proceedings concerning instances of white-collar crime and in civil cases linked to such proceedings.
David McLure SC maintains a highly diverse practice, largely focused on work for insurers and other financial services providers and government agencies at both state and Commonwealth levels. He also offers particularly noteworthy expertise in sporting matters, having served as a member of the Australian Olympic Committee’s selection appeals tribunal.
Employment: The Bar
Kate Eastman SC of New Chambers is often engaged on cases involving discrimination, adverse action and employee remuneration. A source notes: “Her advice is particularly excellent. She gets to the issues and the point very quickly.”
Restructuring/Insolvency: The Bar
Adam Bell SC of New Chambers often appears in insolvency cases representing appointees, including liquidators and receivers. An instructing solicitor comments: “He has strong attention to detail, is well prepared, has clinical cross-examination skills, reads the play extremely well and is very commercial.”
Emma Beechey of New Chambers is identified as a “real up-and-coming young person at the Bar” by an interviewee who also notes: “In terms of pure insolvency she’s very good.” She frequently appears in cases involving large liquidations, representing either distressed corporates or liquidators.
Shipping: The Bar
Gregory Nell SC (Band 1) is recognised for his expertise acting as counsel in complex and sensitive maritime mandates. He is identified by interviewees as “a giant of the Maritime Bar,” and one source says: “He is always enormously well prepared and can really be relied on.”
Catherine Gleeson has a strong following among Australia’s leading maritime law practices. Instructing solicitors consider her to be “bright, approachable and practical,” as well as “extremely diligent and meticulous.”
Jesse Kennedy is admired by interviewees for his intelligence and capability in the maritime and shipping space. One interviewee reports:”He is a brilliant lawyer. I see him as a real talent.”
Tax: The Bar
David Bloom QC (Band 1 ) of New Chambers is a leading authority on all things tax-related. He is admitted to practice at both the Commonwealth and state levels as well as the New York Bar and the Bar of England and Wales. “He’s regarded by some as the best tax barrister,” says one admiring source.
Chris Peadon (Band 1) of New Chambers is an increasingly prominent senior junior at the tax Bar who is also accomplished in commercial and insurance law. “Chris is a standout in terms of engaging in current issues in the tax space, including ethics in tax,” explains one approving client.
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