WA Dispute Resolution Law Bundle

WA Dispute Resolution Law Bundle – 11 Points for the Price of 10!

Maximise your CPD with this exclusive bundle featuring three of our bestselling programs, all delivered live online. Start with Challenges in Contracts Law: A Master Class and gain practical solutions for managing risk, navigating legal challenges, and mastering contract formation. Take a deep dive into jurisdictional and cultural challenges in international contracts, misrepresentation and fraud in contract formation, and the benefits and challenges of both standard form and bespoke contracts.

Then, join us for the Settling Litigation Forum to gain expert insights on tax and collateral issues in settlement offers, helping you avoid hidden surprises. Walk away with practical strategies to tackle the challenges you face in mediations and negotiations, taking them to new heights of success.

Finally, complete your CPD with a tailored session covering Mandatory Ethics, Professional Skills & Practice Management, designed specifically for commercial litigators.

Description

Attend and earn 11 CPD units including:
6 units in Substantive Law
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management & Business Skills
3 units in Professional Skills
This program is based on WA legislation

Challenges in Contracts Law: A Master Class

Thursday, 20 March 2025

International contracts, misrepresentation, red flag contract risks, and relief and remedies – if these are key to your role, don’t miss this expert-led program. Gain practical solutions for managing risk, navigating legal challenges, and mastering contract formation. Take a deep dive into jurisdictional and cultural challenges of international contracts, misrepresentation and fraud in contract formation and the benefits and challenges or both standard form and bespoke contracts. Plus, gain from the experience and expertise of case studies in contract law allowing you to benefit from decades of experience in one session.

Description

Attend and earn 4 CPD units in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories

Chair

Eu-Min Teng, Special Counsel, McComish Legal

9.00am to 10.00am Jurisdictional and Cultural Challenges in International Contracts

 

  • Navigating cultural nuances in contractual negotiations
  • Adapting to jurisdictional variances in contractual obligations
  • Risk mitigation strategies for multi-jurisdictional contracts
  • Language barriers and clarity in drafting
  • Compliance with local regulatory requirements

Presented by Dirk Feinauer, Director, Feinauer Commercial Lawyers

10.00am to 11.00am Misrepresentation and Fraud in Contract Formation

 

  • Australian Consumer Law
  • Differentiating between negligent and fraudulent misrepresentation
  • Case studies on proving misrepresentation
  • Common pitfalls in disclosure
  • Client remedies

Presented by Richard Douglas, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers

11.00am to 11.15am Break
11.15am to 12.15pm Red Flags Risks: Identifying, Mitigating and Preventing Contract Disputes

 

  • Common causes of contract disputes and how to avoid them
  • Indemnities, limitation of liability and striking a balance
  • Termination rights and remedies, and avoiding costly exits
  • Force majeure and unforeseen events
  • Unfair contract terms

 Presented by Melissa Koo, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs; Construction & Infrastructure Litigation Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2024, 2023

12:15pm to 1.15pm Relief & Remedies Under Commercial Contracts

 

Join Tom French, a leading construction and commercial litigation practitioner in Perth, as he and his team explore the ways in which commercial contracts will impact the remedies and relief available to parties under the contract, at common law, and in equity. The presentation will cover practical examples relevant to all solicitors involved in drafting or litigating commercial contracts, including the operation of indemnities, limitation of liability, the codification of common law rights, and time-bars.

Presented by Tom French, Partner, MinterEllison; Leading Construction & Infrastructure Litigation Lawyer and Recommended Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyer, Doyle’s Guide 2024, Penny Bond, Senior Associate, MinterEllison; Construction Law Rising Star, Doyle’s Guide 2024, Lara Solomon, Lawyer, MinterEllison

Presenters

Tom French, Partner, MinterEllison
Tom is a Partner at MinterEllison in Perth. Tom specialises in commercial dispute resolution (including litigation, arbitration, and adjudication) in projects & construction, energy & resources, and professional practices. He regularly advises contractors, principals, and engineers on major infrastructure disputes in respect to the construction of infrastructure on significant mining and resources projects in the Asia Pacific region and Africa, and in respect to the construction of significant commercial projects in the Perth metropolitan area. Tom has appeared in all superior courts in Western Australia and New South Wales, and the Federal Court and Full Federal Court of Australia, on appeals, trials, and interlocutory matters. He has also appeared in the High Court of Australia.

Richard Douglas, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Richard Douglas has been a Barrister at Francis Burt Chambers since 2006. He has been admitted as an attorney in the state of New York since 2000. Richard has been involved in significant litigation including: The Bell group; Sons of Gwalia; Burrup Fertilisers; Storm Financial; Fire Power, Anaconda; Rothwells; and the Insurance coverage dispute regarding the world trade centre in Manhattan following the events of 9/11. Richard has been a member and chair of the WA Law Reform Commission and acted in relation to a number of public enquiries. Richard continues to act in relation to complex, difficult and urgent matters in courts across Australia.

Penny Bond, Senior Associate, MinterEllison
Penny is a Senior Associate in MinterEllison’s Projects, Infrastructure and Construction Group with a specialisation in construction and project dispute resolution. Penny has experience advising a range of clients including principals, contractors, subcontractors, and local governments in contract administration, risk management and dispute resolution in Western Australia. Penny's dispute resolution experience has included acting for and advising clients in respect of adjudications, mediations, expert determinations, arbitrations and Supreme Court and District Court litigation.

Eu-Min Teng, Special Counsel, McComish Legal
Eu-Min is a Special Counsel at McComish Legal, practising in the area of construction and engineering, and commercial litigation. Eu-Min graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and Bachelor of Commerce, and holds a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney, and a Master of Construction Law from the University of Melbourne.

Melissa Koo, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
Melissa is a specialist construction lawyer with extensive experience in representing project participants on major Australian and international construction, energy and infrastructure projects. She has advised on high value disputes involving complex legal, engineering and construction issues. She has experience acting for Australian and international clients in all dispute resolution forums, including international arbitration, litigation, mediation and adjudication. She is also experienced in drafting suites of contracts and advising on and negotiating contracting issues arising out of bespoke and Australian and international standard form contracts. In Western Australia where she practices, Squire Patton Boggs has been ranked as a Tier 1 Construction and Infrastructure litigation law firm and a Tier 2 front end construction and infrastructure law firm by Doyle’s Guide. Melissa herself was recognised as a recommended lawyer in Doyle’s Guide of leading lawyers in Western Australia in 2023. She is also an active committee member of the National Association of Women in Construction.

Dirk Feinauer, Director, Feinauer Commercial Lawyers
Dirk Feinauer heads up Feinauer Commercial Lawyers, a law corporation based in Perth, Western Australia and is one of the most experienced German speaking lawyers practicing in Australia. Dirk graduated from the Australian National University, Canberra with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws in 1989 and 1991 respectively. He is admitted to law practice in the Federal Court and High Court of Australia and the Supreme Courts of Western Australia and New South Wales. Dirk regularly speaks on a range of topics in Australia and across the world. He has written various articles and other publications. Dirk practices in complex corporate and commercial matters and conducts litigation in Superior and the Federal Courts including cross border disputes.

Lara Solomon, Lawyer, MinterEllison
Lara is a Lawyer in the MinterEllison Projects, Infrastructure and Construction Group in the Perth Office. She supports clients on both front end construction as well as construction dispute resolution. Prior to this, Lara was a law graduate and paralegal with MinterEllison working both in the Real Estate and Workplace team. Lara graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce.

 

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Settling Litigation Forum

Friday, 21 March 2025

Settling can be your best option—if your agreement is secure and tax-efficient. Start by structuring your offer of compromise with enforceability and potential cost consequences in mind. Understand “without prejudice” communications and when this protection might not apply. Gain expert insights on tax and collateral issues in settlement offers to avoid hidden surprises. Walk away with practical strategies for the challenges you face in your mediations and negotiations bringing them to new heights of success.

Description

Attend and earn 4 CPD units including: 
2 units in Substantive Law 
2 units in Professional Skills  
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories

Chair:

Anthony Willinge, Barrister, Murray Chambers; Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Australia

10.00am to 11.00am Without Prejudice Communications

 

Presented by Gigi Visscher, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers

Professional Skills
12.15pm to 1.15pm Mediations & Negotiations: A Challenge for Lawyers?

 

  • Legal skills and their limits in negotiation
  • Psychology of negotiation: what can be done when material leverage is limited
  • Can lawyers learn something from FBI negotiators
  • Compromise as the enemy of the optimal deal 

Presented by Robert French, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers; Recommended Employment & WHS Law Barrister, Doyle’s Guide 2024 

11.15am to 12.15pm Tax and Other Collateral Considerations in Settlement Offers

 

Presented by Matthew Crowley, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers; Recommended Tax Junior Counsel, Doyle’s Guide 2023

Professional Skills
9.00am to 10.00am Offers of Compromise and Costs Consequences

 

  • Getting the structure right and avoiding an ineffective offer
  • Strategic considerations
  • Comparisons between Calderbank Offers vs offers made under court rules
  • Costs consideration 

Presented by Richard Douglas, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers 

11.00am to 11.15am Break

Presenters

Richard Douglas, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Richard Douglas has been a Barrister at Francis Burt Chambers since 2006. He has been admitted as an attorney in the state of New York since 2000. Richard has been involved in significant litigation including: The Bell group; Sons of Gwalia; Burrup Fertilisers; Storm Financial; Fire Power, Anaconda; Rothwells; and the Insurance coverage dispute regarding the world trade centre in Manhattan following the events of 9/11. Richard has been a member and chair of the WA Law Reform Commission and acted in relation to a number of public enquiries. Richard continues to act in relation to complex, difficult and urgent matters in courts across Australia.

GiGi Visscher, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
GiGi joined the bar in 2008. Since being called to the bar, she has principally practiced in commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on construction, property, equity, trade practices and insolvency matters. Prior to joining the bar, GiGi was a solicitor at Freehills, Perth. Before commencing her legal career, GiGi practiced as a Chartered Accountant, including as a forensic accountant. GiGi has an extensive commercial background, having worked in Singapore, London, Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC. In addition to her Bachelor of Laws degree with Honours, GiGi holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Laws from Georgetown University in Washington DC.

Anthony Willinge, Barrister, Murray Chambers
Anthony obtained his law degree from the University of Western Australia, graduating with honours and the Frank Edward Parsons Memorial Prize in Law. He also has a Masters of Law with distinction from the University of London. Anthony commenced his career as the Professional Assistant to the Crown Counsel for WA and the Associate to Justice Scott before being a crown counsel at the Crown Solicitor’s office. He then joined Blake Dawson where he became a Partner and the head of the firm’s commercial litigation practice in Perth. Anthony joined the independent Bar in 2009. Anthony has been involved in settling many matters involving both Government and private parties. He has also appeared in numerous mediations on a range of matters before Court and external mediators and is an accredited mediator and member of the Law Society’s panel of mediators.

Robert French, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Robert French is a barrister who practices in commercial, administrative and employment law. Robert has been at the Bar for over 10 years. He has  appeared as sole or lead counsel in numerous trials in the Supreme Court of Australia, Federal Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court of Australia. He has also appeared as sole counsel in appeals to the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia, the Western Australian Court of Appeal and to the High Court (special leave only). Prior to joining the Bar, Robert worked at law firms in Perth, Melbourne & Hong Kong.

Matthew Crowley, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Matthew Crowley is an internationally-experienced counsel of almost 20 years, with a significant public and commercial practice at the Western Australia and Victorian Bar. Doyle’s Guide recognises Matthew as one of Western Australia’s leading tax barristers for 2020, 2021, and 2022. Matthew is regularly briefed in Taxation, Migration, Administrative law and judicial review, Australian Consumer law, regulatory and civil penalty proceedings (including Customs prosecutions), Corporations and commercial litigation and Insolvency & bankruptcy. Matthew was called to the Bar in 2016 after a period with the Federal Trade Commission in Washington DC , and has since set about establishing a practice at the Western Australian Bar and Victorian Bar. He has a particular interest in taxation, especially United States-Australia cross-border issues. Matthew is a Fulbright Scholar and an International Fellow with the Federal Trade Commission in Washington DC. He was a visiting scholar at Columbia University in New York, and Georgetown Law School in Washington DC. Matthew has an LLM, LLB, and BA with Honours from Monash University. Matthew was admitted in Victoria in 2003 and in Western Australia in 2008. Matthew is also admitted in the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Tax Court, the State Supreme Court of New York, and the federal US District of Southern New York. Matthew extends his practice between Melbourne and Perth.

 

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Ethics, Professional Skills & Practice Management for Commercial Litigators

Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Enhance your legal practice with essential insights and practical strategies across ethics, professional skills, and business management. Explore key ethical challenges, including confidentiality, privilege, conflicts, and ex parte applications, to navigate disputes confidently. Learn techniques to reduce the risk of pleadings being challenged, focusing on knowledge, inferences, and causation as the foundation for trial. Discover how AI tools and technology can streamline case preparation, automate document review, and enhance efficiency in your practice. 

Professional Skills
3.00pm to 4.00pm ‘How to’ Tactical Pleading and Strike-out Proofing Your Case

 

  • Tips to reduce the risk of a pleading being struck out or challenged
  • The proper pleading of knowledge, inferences and causation
  • The role of pleadings as the foundation of the case theory at trial

Presented by Matthew Jones KC, Barrister, Level Twenty Seven Chambers

4.00pm to 4.15pm Afternoon Tea
Description

Attend and earn 3 CPD units including:
1 unit in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1 unit in Practice Management & Business Skills
1 unit in Professional Skills

This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories

Chair

Sarah Davies, Director, Sarah Davies Legal; Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation

Ethics & Professional Responsibility
2.00pm to 3.00pm Knowing Your Ethical Boundaries in a Disputes Practice

 

A number of common situations in everyday legal practice can be negotiated safely with a confident understanding of ethical obligations. 

  • Confidentiality and privilege: principles, limitations and waiver
  • Conflicts
  • Undertakings
  • Ex parte applications

Presented by Nola Pearce, Barrister, Chambers 33

Practice Management and Business Skills
4.15pm to 5.15pm Leveraging AI and Other Technology to Improve Efficiency, Manage Risk and Reduce Litigation Stress


This session showcases AI tools that will streamline case preparation by automating production of chronologies, summarising documents and extracting relevant details quickly. Learn how to evaluate which of the available tools is best place to help your practice being more efficient and more profitable.
Presented by Fiona McLay, Principal Lawyer, McLay Legal

 

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WA Dispute Resolution Law Bundle

WA Dispute Resolution Law Bundle

CHOOSE YOUR SESSION AND
DELIVERY MODE BELOW

All Sessions
Thursday, 20 March 2025,
Friday, 21 March 2025,
Wednesday, 26 March 2025
CPD Points 11
$990.00
Online 20250227

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