Paul specialises in contract, property, infrastructure and commercial transaction law with particular emphasis on ports, shipping, rail, logistics and infrastructure. Over 30 years he has handled more than 3000 port, shipping, rail, logistics infrastructure matters and advised on some of Australia’s largest and most complex port, rail, logistics and transport infrastructure contracts and transactions.

Biography

Paul acts for port authorities, terminal owners and operators, major resources and logistics companies and infrastructure investors across all states of Australia. His clients include the Fremantle Port Authority,  the Kimberley Ports Authority, the Mid West Ports Authority, the Port of Portland, Mineral Resources and Team Global Express. He is based in Perth.

Paul specialises in contract, property, infrastructure and commercial transaction law with a particular emphasis on ports and harbours, maritime and sea trade ventures, rail, shipping, logistics, major development and infrastructure projects, procurement, transport industry due diligence and advice, operational risk management, complex management, operating, leasing and licensing arrangements, contract structuring, drafting and analysis, commercial negotiations, statutory interpretation, take or pay arrangements and concessions, services cost bonus and rebate structuring, complex pricing and adjustment formulas and third party access regimes that eliminate land and capacity banking risks.

Paul also has extensive experience working with port and terminal access and services and associated logistics agreements, offshore logistics agreements, road and rail operations, rail services projects, stevedoring, towage, pilotage, lines, bulk handling, bunkering, mooring, pipelines and storage arrangements.

Paul has advised on some of Australia’s largest and most complex transport transactions. He led the legal work for the Dampier Port Authority on the A$4 billion+ Chevron/Wheatstone Joint Venture greenfield port development at Ashburton North, for Fortescue Metals Group on its A$3.5 billion Iron Bridge Project outsourced logistics contract, for Mineral Resources on its Brockman Mining mine-to-ship infrastructure and rail services agreement for over 300 km of rail and a new iron ore export terminal at Port Hedland, for the VICTL consortium in its successful bid to build, own and operate the third international container terminal at Webb Dock in the Port of Melbourne, and for Team Global Express (formerly Toll Global Express) on its national rail freight services contract transition from Pacific National to Aurizon.

Paul’s recognition as Lawyer of the Year for Transportation Law in Perth on four occasions, combined with his track record on billion-dollar port, rail and logistics transactions for leading resource companies and port authorities, establishes him as one of Australia’s most experienced transport industry  lawyers. His 25-year, 3000+ matter practice history and breadth across port, rail, road, maritime, and logistics  is unmatched in the Australian market.

Credentials

Academic qualifications:

Paul's experience

Ashburton North Project: A$4 billion+ greenfield LNG port

Lead adviser to the Dampier Port Authority in all aspects of the Chevron-operated, Wheatstone Joint Venture-funded A$4 billion+ greenfield port development at Ashburton North, including construction and transfer of open access common user LNG export infrastructure and long-term operating concessions.

Iron Bridge Project: A$3.5 billion logistics contract

Lead external adviser to Fortescue Metals Group on all aspects of its Iron Bridge Project outsourced logistics contract, covering international and domestic planning, tracking, delivery and supply chain management of all goods, materials, plant and equipment by ship, air, rail and road for the A$3.5 billion Iron Bridge mine.

Brockman Mining Marillana Joint Venture: mine to ship

Lead adviser to Mineral Resources on its mine-to-ship infrastructure, rail and shipping services agreement with the Brockman Mining Marillana Joint Venture, covering construction and operation of over 300 km of rail and a new iron ore export terminal at Port Hedland within an open access structure.

Webb Dock: international container terminal bid

Lead adviser to the VICTL consortium (ICTSI and Anglo Ports) in its successful bid to build, own and operate the third international container terminal and associated empty container park at Webb Dock, Port of Melbourne.

Cockatoo Island Terminal Project: port development

Lead adviser to the Kimberley Ports Authority on a two-stage development of three jetties, three wharves, associated channel dredging and a 62-hectare seabed reclamation at Cockatoo Island in the Port of Yampi Sound, including foundation development, construction and long-term operating contracts.

KMSB Supply Base Project: floating wharf infrastructure

Lead adviser to the Kimberley Ports Authority on all aspects of the Kimberley Marine Support Base project and associated construction, long-term concession and operating contracts, including installation and operation of significant floating wharf infrastructure and fuel pipelines.

Awards, recognition and ranking