Academic
Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws (University of Sydney) 1973
Master of Laws (University of Queensland) 1993
Graduate Diploma of Taxation (University of Central Qld) 1993
Accredited mediator (Queensland) 1999

Admissions

PNG National and Supreme Courts
High Court of Solomon Islands
Supreme Courts of Queensland, NSW and Victoria
High Court and Federal Court of Australia

Professional
Experience

Articles of clerkship (Bartier Perry & Purcell, Sydney) 1971-73
Employed solicitor 1973
Employed barrister and solicitor (Craig Kirke & Wright, Port Moresby, PNG) 1976-79
Barrister (Qld & NSW), lawyer Papua New Guinea – 1979 to present
Deputy President - Part-time, Administrative Appeals Tribunal (Cth) - 2013 to present

PNG Experience
and Expertise

Personal
Admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the National and Supreme Courts of Justice in February 1976
Resided and worked in Port Moresby 1976 – 79
Has visited PNG regularly as a retained barrister since 1980

Experience: Court Appearances, Advising
Retained since 1980 on a regular basis to provide advice, opinions and draft documents involving PNG law.

Has appeared in numerous trials, applications, reviews and appeals in the National and Supreme Courts of Justice since 1976 covering all areas of law including constitutional, commercial, contract, tort, administrative, admiralty, criminal, insurance. Many of the cases have led to precedent-setting decisions. See Cases.

Engaged as leading counsel for the State in the long-running ‘Ok Tedi litigation’ (circa 1996 – ultimately settled).

In recent years an increasing focus on resource related disputes – forestry, mining, oil and gas.

Arbitrations and Mediations
Has appeared in or been appointed arbitrator or mediator in a number of PNG commercial disputes involving inter alia insurance companies, public corporations and State instrumentalities.

Commissions of Inquiry
Senior Counsel assisting the Sandline Inquiry (Andrew J) 1997
Senior Counsel assisting the Second Sandline Inquiry (Los J) 1998
Has represented various interested persons in other inquiries in PNG including the National Provident Fund Inquiry (2001) and PNG Banking Corporation Inquiry (2003)
Represented the Commissioners in court challenges to the Department of Finance Commission of Inquiry (2009).

Academic and Teaching
Final thesis for Master of Laws (Qld) (1993) ‘Constitutional Rights and their Enforcement in Papua New Guinea’
Occasional instructor since 1978 at PNG Legal Training Institute
Principal presenter “Litigation Forum” for PNG practitioners 2003

Recognised Expertise
Provided expert evidence on PNG law in numerous court proceedings including in the Supreme Courts of Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia, the High Court of New Zealand, the High Court of Justice (UK), and US State and Federal Courts.