Downer Utilities Australia Pty Ltd v Murra Warra Asset Co Pty Ltd [2026] VSC 48

6 St James Hall senior counsel Dr Christopher Ward SC, leading Callista Harris of 7 Wentworth Selborne (instructed by Eliza Danby of Pinsent Masons), appeared successfully for Murra Warra Asset Co Pty Ltd in novel proceedings before the Victorian Supreme Court in relation to the construction of a hybrid arbitration clause.

The case involved competing arbitrations commenced with the ICC and the Resolution Institute.  The Court concluded that the hybrid arbitration clause required arbitration conducted by the Resolution Institute applying the ICC Rules in part.

The decision can be found at: https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VSC/2026/48.html

Dr Christopher Ward SC elected to global Presidency of ILA

6 St James Hall Chambers is delighted to announce that senior counsel Dr Christopher Ward SC was last week, elected to position of global President of the International Law Association.  The ILA, which has almost 5,000 members world-wide, works to develop and publicise rules of private and public international law.  Dr Ward’s extensive work over many decades in both fields of international law and related commercial law will ensure that the Association’s work is strengthened during his 2 year term.  The ILA last week, successfully gathered from around the world in Sydney for the 78th Biennial Conference, hosted by Dr Ward and the Australian Branch of the ILA. The Conference was addressed by dignitaries including the Right Honorable Lord Mance, Chief Justice Kiefel, Chief Justice Allsop, Chief Justice Bathurst, the Hon Mark Speakman and Chief Justice Pascoe as well as other Australian and foreign judges, counsel and arbitrators.  The Conference was greatly assisted by 6 St James Hall Barrister Ms Madeleine Bridgett.