Arbitration in Australia: The role and functions of the Federal Court in supporting the resolution of disputes by arbitration

Registration for this event at all venues has now closed

SoCLA is honoured to announce that Justice Stewart of the Federal Court of Australia will be presenting to us on the very important topic of 'Arbitration in Australia: The role and functions of the Federal Court in supporting the resolution of disputes by arbitration.' 

Justice Stewart is a judge of the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney and the Court’s Commercial Arbitration List Judge. His Honour has a wealth of experience and expertise in the area of domestic and international commercial arbitration and was appointed a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) in 2014.  We are very fortunate to have Justice Stewart agree to speak on this very important topic.  

Justice Stewart will be presenting in person in Sydney and the event will be simulcast / livestreamed to venues in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth (please note that the event will not be recorded or accessible on-line – attendees will need to attend the venues below if they wish to see the presentation). 

Chaired by Jennifer Galatas, the formal presentation will commence promptly at 6.00pm AEST in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane (or 4:00pm AWST in Perth and 5.30pm ACST in Adelaide), and there will be an opportunity for attendees from all venues to ask questions at the end of the event.  The event will also be followed by drinks and light snacks in all venues, and will provide attendees with an opportunity to network with others who have an interest in the construction industry and arbitration / construction law.

Cost of Event

This event is free of charge for SoCLA members (you must be logged in to register).  

Non-members - $49.50.

Location of Event

Registration for this event at all venues has now closed

The event will be hosted by MinterEllison at their offices across Australia at the following addresses:

MinterEllison Sydney (live event)
Level 40, Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
SYDNEY  NSW  2000

The event will be simulcast / livestreamed at the following locations (please note that the event will not be recorded or accessible on-line).

Melbourne (6.00pm AEST)   

MinterEllison (Melbourne)
Collins Arch
Level 20, 447 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Adelaide (5.30pm ACST)    

MinterEllison (Adelaide)
Level 10, Grenfell Centre
25 Grenfell Street
Adelaide 5000 Australia

Perth (4.00pm AWST)   

MinterEllison (Perth)
One The Esplanade, Level 9
1 The Esplanade
Perth 6000 Australia

Brisbane (6.00pm AEST)

MinterEllison (Brisbane)
Level 22, One Eagle - Waterfront Brisbane
1 Eagle Street
Brisbane 4000 Australia

Chairs / Moderators

For details of the chairs and moderators for the Melbourne and Sydney sessions, please see below (other venues TBC):
Jennifer Galatas, Special Counsel (Chair)
Jennifer has extensive expertise and experience successfully delivering major infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Jennifer's broad experience includes the preparation and negotiation of ECI contracts, EPC contracts, O&M contracts, EPCM contracts, supply arrangements, trade contracts, connection agreements, and other procurement related contracts. 
She has particular expertise in the area of renewables projects and understands how to successfully navigate complex regulatory environments. Jennifer has the ability to work effectively with key stakeholders including financiers to successfully deliver complex energy projects. In 2022, Jennifer was awarded Lexology's Client Choice Award in Construction for Australia.

Andrew Hales, Partner (Moderator – Sydney)
Andrew is a construction disputes specialist in MinterEllison’s Sydney office. He provides building compliance, project administration and dispute resolution advice in the construction, infrastructure and energy sectors. Andrew regularly advises on active project issues during construction, security of payment adjudications, and design and construction disputes in the NSW Supreme Court and arbitration. Andrew has advised in litigation to Court of Appeal level in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and on arbitrations under the ACICA, ICC, ICSID, LCIA and Resolution Institute rules. Andrew acts for several top tier contractors and developers throughout Australia.

Nikki Miller, Partner (Moderator – Melbourne)
Nikki Miller is construction disputes expert based in MinterEllison’s Melbourne office. Nikki assists clients throughout all phases of the construction dispute lifecycle, from dispute avoidance and mitigation through to formal dispute resolution. As a member of the Projects, Infrastructure and Construction Disputes team, he has a wealth of experience drawn from acting for principals (both public and private), contractors and consultants on large infrastructure and construction projects throughout Australia and internationally.

Isobel Carmody, Senior Associate (Moderator – Melbourne)
Isobel is a Senior Associate in MinterEllison’s Melbourne office. She has experience in contentious and non-contentious matters across the construction, infrastructure and energy industries. Isobel assists a range of clients including government, principals, contractors and engineers in contract administration, risk management and dispute resolution in various Australian states and territories.  
Her dispute resolution experience has included acting in, and advising clients in respect of adjudications, mediations, expert determinations, arbitrations and litigation. Isobel also advises in respect of international arbitrations.