Find Lawyers in Brisbane, Australia for Government Practice
Practice Area Overview
The term ‘Government’ is used broadly below to refer to a nation state, a government department or agency, or a quasi-government body at any level. Government Practice can encompass:
- acting for Government in legal matters; and
- acting for an individual or entity in legal matters against Government.
In Australia, Government is subject to particular legal and policy requirements, and has particular rights and responsibilities, which do not apply to individuals or other entities. These are sometimes imposed or granted to comply with international treaties or agreements; to provide additional transparency, accountability, or probity in the use of public money; to prohibit unfair, uneconomic, or unethical practices; or to assist in implementing other laws. For example, a Government body may be subject to particular legal restrictions when purchasing goods or services, or commencing or defending legal claims, that do not apply to private citizens in the same jurisdiction.
Government Practice requires a specialist understanding of the particular legal, regulatory, and policy requirements and other issues and considerations (such as practices or processes) which apply to the matter solely because Government is involved in the matter, in addition to understanding any legal issues which apply to the matter regardless of Government involvement. Therefore, Government Practice intersects with many other legal practice areas, including commercial law, contract law, construction, real estate, litigation, and employment.
For example, a legal practitioner in Government Practice could specialise in advising Government on commercial contracts. Such a practitioner would need to be a specialist in contract and commercial law generally and also in understanding and advising on the additional regulatory requirements which apply to Government when undertaking commercial contracting.
In addition to having specialised expertise in another practice area, it is also likely that a Government Practice practitioner will have specialised expertise in a specific jurisdiction (eg Australia) and a specific level of Government (eg federal, state, or local) within that jurisdiction. This is because the regulatory and policy framework which applies to Government activities often differs substantially between jurisdictions and between levels of Government in those jurisdictions.
Government Practice is distinct from Administrative Law in that Government Practice may not involve advising on Government decision-making or rule-making powers or the exercise of those powers, but could encompass advising on any matter, transaction, or dealing undertaken by, or relating to, Government.
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Philip has over 30 years' experience practicing in business, commercial, and corporate law. Philip's range of industry experience includes agribusiness (private sector and public sector), mining services, large commercial and residential property development projects, acquisitions and sales, manufacturing, food service, medical practices, wills, and estates. Philip's areas of expertise are: Corporate acquisitions - company and business acquisitions, mergers, buy outs, and joint ventures. Corp...
James is Partner in our Planning and Environment practices with a reputation for exceptional advice across the areas of planning and development approvals, planning litigation and dispute resolution, infrastructure, land valuation and the compulsory acquisition or resumption of land. James has over 20 years’ experience advising developers, local government and State government authorities on all aspects of front-end and litigious planning and environment law including for major property...
Sarah is a Partner in our Planning and Environment practice and offers extensive experience in the areas of planning approvals, litigation and dispute resolution, together with many years of experience and a keen interest in environmental legislation and policy. Sarah provides front end advisory services, including project scoping, strategic planning advice and due diligence, through to representing stakeholders in planning and environment litigation, and assisting clients with environmental ...
Khory is a highly experienced litigator, negotiator and strategist with over 30 year’s experience. He provides wide-ranging issues management and conflict advice to corporate and government decision makers at the highest levels. Khory has advised clients across a multitude of industries including energy, resources, finance, building and construction, government, health and education. He advises clients on commercial and industrial disputes and disruptions, strategic risk and issue manag...
Lucinda Watson is a special counsel in Moulis Legal’s Canberra office, providing strategic insight and expert knowledge in large scale information and communication technology (ICT) outsourcing transactions, complex procurements, and health-related product acquisitions. Lucinda adds great value to the business of our cross-border, commercial, government procurement, and intellectual property clients in both the public and private sectors. Lucinda has over 15 years of experience in contr...
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