Chad Catterwell
Chad specialises in cross-border disputes and international arbitration.
As co-lead of the firm’s arbitration hub in Melbourne, Chad supports clients in cross-border contractual disputes and international arbitrations across the Asia-Pacific region, collaborating seamlessly with colleagues in the region and elsewhere.
He has expertise with respect to disputes arising from M&A activity and joint ventures in Asia, particularly in China. He assists clients in numerous sectors, with a strong interest in the energy and resources, manufacturing and technology sectors, advising clients on structuring transactions and drafting dispute resolution provisions to best protect clients engaging in international investment and cross-border transactions.
Chad regularly speaks and writes on issues relating to international arbitration. He is a former Board member of local arbitration institution, ACICA, a current member of ACICA’s Victorian steering committee and was a founding steering committee member for ACICA 45, ACICA’s young practitioner’s arm.
Chad is recognised by Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) as a Recommended lawyer for arbitration in Australia and a Future Leader globally.
Experience & capabilities
Selected matters
- a Chinese state-owned enterprise in HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong regarding ownership and control of an African mining joint venture
- a Chinese state-owned enterprise in ICC arbitration seated in Singapore regarding an Australian LNG joint venture
- a leading cryptocurrency institution in an HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong in relation to disputes arising out of trade and loan agreements
- a Vietnamese-Kuwati-Japanese joint venture project company in SIAC Singapore seated arbitration in relation to the construction of a refinery and petrochemical complex in South East Asia
- a Canadian owned energy company in ICC arbitration seated in Perth regarding the termination of a long term master services agreement with an IT services provider in respect of its Australian operations
- a leading cryptocurrency platform in multiple related HKIAC arbitration proceedings following a market disruption event
- a leading global supply chain and logistics business in HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong regarding two disputed distribution agreements
- a Philippine bank in UNCITRAL arbitration administered by the HKIAC regarding a software licensing and services agreement governed by Philippine law
- a Chinese state-owned enterprise and its subsidiary in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore relating to an acquisition of oil and gas assets in the North Sea
- a Chinese state-owned enterprise in ad hoc arbitration proceedings seated in Hong Kong regarding debt investments in oil and gas interests in Africa
- a leading market expansion and logistics business in post-M&A disputes regarding working capital adjustments
- a Malaysian energy company in SIAC emergency arbitration proceedings to obtain anti-suit relief in respect of proceedings commenced in India
- CITIC Limited and certain subsidiaries in Australian Court proceedings relating to a mining joint venture in Western Australia
- an international pharmaceuticals company in SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore relating to disputes under a master research agreement
- a European investment management firm in HKIAC proceedings relating to a joint venture dispute with a Chinese party, including a disputed agreement to buy out the Chinese party's interest in the joint venture
- a Chinese pharmaceuticals company and its founder in HKIAC arbitration relating to a private equity investment in the form of a bondholding
- a Hong Kong company and one its major shareholders, in ICC arbitration seated in Singapore relating to a breach of warranty dispute with a South Korean conglomerate arising from the sale of a business in China
- electricity distributor SP AusNet in the Royal Commission and long running class actions arising from the 2009 bushfires in Victoria
Background
Chad is located in Melbourne but was previously based in Hong Kong and maintains a Hong Kong practising certificate. He holds a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from the University of Adelaide and a Masters of Laws from the University of Melbourne. He is admitted in Victoria, Australia and in Hong Kong. In his formative years as a disputes lawyer, he advised clients on fast track litigation, class actions litigation, Royal Commissions and interactions with regulators whilst under investigation.
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