A former leading commercial silk for over 20 years, Charles’ expertise includes regulatory investigations and disputes, competition, class actions and a wide variety of matters in the energy and natural resources sector.
Charles has appeared principally in the Federal Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of Victoria. He has also appeared regularly interstate and in Papua New Guinea.
Widely regarded as a leading advocate, Charles has regularly been engaged by many of the large corporates in Australia, and by the Australian government, the Victorian government, the Papua New Guinea government, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and other Commonwealth agencies and departments.
Key deals
PNG
- Acted for a major resources company and Ok Tedi Mining Limited and the later class action (acting for Ok Tedi Mining Limited) in relation to the Ok Tedi Mine; and
- Acted for the Metallurgical Company of China in a proceeding in Madang in relation to the Ramu Mine.
Royal Commissions
Acted in various Royal Commissions, including:
- the Longford Royal Commission concerning the explosion at the Longford Gas Plant (for a major resources company);
- the Melbourne Metropolitan Ambulance Service Royal Commission (acting for a Mallesons Stephen Jaques partner);
- the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (acting for one of Australia's largest banks); and
- the Royal Commission into the Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse (acting for the State of Victoria and its agencies).
Competition
Acted in many competition cases, including for the Trade Practices Commission, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the National Competition Counsel.
Class Actions
Acted in many class actions for respondents, including:
- the AWB Limited shareholder class action in Sydney, Melbourne and New York;
- acting for the Liquidator in litigation arising out of the collapse of Banksia Limited;
- in Sanda v PTTEP Australasia (Ashmore Cartier) Pty Ltd (acting for PTTEP); and
- in Capic v Ford Motor Company (acting for Ford).
Citic Litigation
Acted for Citic Limited and its related companies in extensive litigation in Western Australia involving Mineralogy and Clive Palmer.