Major new mandatory merger clearance reforms, explore global consumer law trends shaping 2026 and the increasing enforcement of greenwashing regulation, now is not the time to take your eye off consumer and competition law. Designed for legal professionals whether inhouse or in private practice, or whether your role is more of a commercial advisor, this session delivers strategic guidance on navigating regulatory risk and gives practical recommendations for managing compliance in a shifting legal landscape with an increasing number of enforcement proceedings. 

Presenters

Doug Thompson, Special Counsel, Clayton Utz
Doug specialises in competition and consumer law, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, restrictive trade practices (including cartel conduct), and consumer protection. He is known for his collaborative approach, ability to distil complex information, and dedication to achieving practical outcomes for his clients. Doug also provides strategic commercial advice on business relationships, procurement, and transactions. His expertise spans the wagering, communications, and technology sectors, where he has a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities these industries face.

Nick Christiansen, Partner, Sparke Helmore Lawyers
Nick is Partner in the Commercial Disputes and Corporate Regulatory teams at Sparke Helmore. He is a commercial litigator and regulatory lawyer specialising in commercial and property disputes and consumer regulatory matters. He has a broad commercial litigation practice, including matters in contract, leasing and other real property disputes, equity and trusts, misleading and deceptive conduct, financing and securities disputes and enforcement, and insolvency and corporations law. He acts in property matters for “big 4” banks, private lenders and investment vehicles, government entities, developers, insolvency practitioners, and large-scale lessors and lessees.


Conor Bannan, Barrister, 12 Wentworth Selbourne Chambers
Conor has a broad commercial practice with particular expertise in trade practices and competition. He has been briefed to appear for an individual in Australia’s first criminal cartel jury trial, for TPG (in proceedings concerning its proposed merger with Vodafone), for Apple Inc (in proceedings brought by Epic Games and in related class action proceedings), for Facebook Inc (in proceedings brought by a developer), for Mazda Australia (in class action proceedings relating to the use of Takata airbags) and for the ANZ Banking Group (in the Banking Royal Commission and in various litigation in the Supreme Court of New South Wales). Before being called to the Bar, Conor worked as a solicitor at Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Gilbert + Tobin in Sydney, and at Linklaters in London. During that time, he also completed secondments to Westpac Banking Corporation and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc. Conor has been recognised in several legal directories (Chambers and Partners, Doyles Guide, Legal 500, Best Lawyers) as a leading junior counsel in competition law and in commercial litigation.


Rowan Kendall, Counsel, Ashurst
Rowan Kendall is a counsel in Ashurst's APAC competition team. Rowan has extensive experience working on competition and consumer law matters, including providing key strategic advice and merger analysis, acting on significant long-running investigations and representing clients in major enforcement litigation brought by various Australian regulators. Rowan is an expert in the Australian Consumer Law, regularly advising clients on risks arising from misleading and deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct, unfair contract terms and all other aspects of consumer law across a wide range of industries and sectors.