Charles is a partner in our Competition, Consumer and Market Regulation group.
He has over 20 years’ experience in advising on:
all aspects of competition law including merger clearances, joint ventures, misuse of market power, cartel matters and distribution arrangements
all aspects of the Australian Consumer Law including product liability and product recalls, the consumer guarantees, misleading or deceptive conduct and unconscionable conduct
access to infrastructure under Part IIIA of the Competition and Consumer Act including declaration applications and access undertakings
the Franchising Code of Conduct.
Charles acts for clients in a wide range of industries, but has particular expertise in:
advising private equity clients and their management teams on the whole life-cycle of investment, including initial due-diligence, ACCC merger clearances for bolt-on acquisitions and strategic exits, as well as any regulatory issues or investigations that may arise for the portfolio company
advising retail clients and healthcare and life sciences clients on contentions and non-contentious matters including dealing with competitors, distributors, suppliers and consumers, as well as online sales and product safety issues.
Australia’s new merger reforms have commenced and mark the most significant overhaul of Australia’s merger control framework in decades.
Afterpay on the competition and regulatory aspects of its $39 billion acquisition by Square - the largest public M&A deal in Australia’s history.
Grays eCommerce Group in Federal Court proceedings commenced by the ACCC.
iNova Pharmaceuticals (a portfolio company of TPG Capital) on obtaining ACCC merger clearance for its $810 million global acquisition of Mundipharma’s consumer healthcare business.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners in responding to the ACCC’s supermarket inquiry and the inquiry by the Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices.
HealthEngine in first-of-its-kind ACCC proceedings regarding the collection and use of consumer data and misleading and deceptive reviews.
TEG in the ACCC’s investigation into TEG’s marketing of the USA Men’s Basketball Team Tour.
A multinational pharmaceutical company in the successful defence of a 2.5-year cartel investigation by the ACCC.
Virgin Australia on various matters, including successfully defending the first 'drip pricing' misleading and deceptive conduct proceedings brought by the ACCC, as well as its acquisition of Tiger Airways.
Affinity Education in its response to the ACCC’s inquiry into the supply and cost of childcare services in Australia.
Quadrant Private Equity, Pacific Equity Partners, KKR, TPG Capital, Crescent Capital Partners, CPE Capital, Five V and Affinity Equity Partners on the competition and regulatory aspects of various transactions.
Leading brands in the automotive, food, FMCG, white goods, electrical goods and pet industries on various competition, consumer and product liability matters.
Awards and Recognition
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026
Ranked in Competition/Antitrust
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2026
Recognised as a Leading Partner in Competition and Trade
Who’s Who Legal 2024
Recognised in Competition Law
Global Competition Review’s 2014 Merger Control Matter of the Year
Led G+T's team in obtaining unconditional ACCC merger clearance for Virgin Australia’s acquisition of a 60% interest in Tiger Airways Australia and the creation of an Australian joint venture
Lexology Client Choice Award 2024
Winner of the Competition Law category for Australia
International Bar Association
Member of the International Bar Association’s Unilateral Conduct Working Group
International Bar Association
Former Chair of the IBA’s Data Working Group
American Bar Association
Previous co-author of the Australia and New Zealand chapter of the American Bar Association’s International Development Summaries for consumer protection law
The Best Lawyers in Australia 2027
Recognised for Competition Law, Health and Aged Care Law, Life Sciences Practice and Regulatory Practice
Testimonials
Client first thinking
He's clear, concise and cuts through to the commercial issues, tailoring the issues to the way the ACCC will think.
Chambers Asia-Pacific
Charles knows exactly how to deal with the regulator, which is invaluable. He keeps calm and is a good listener.
Chambers Asia-Pacific
Charles has a client service-oriented approach, ensuring his own availability as needed but also using the depth of resources available to him.
Chambers Asia-Pacific
Charles knows the law inside out but his advice is practical. On a recent matter, our legal position was good, but he gave a more realistic assessment of where we might end up in practice.
Chambers Asia-Pacific
One of the most dedicated and knowledgeable lawyers I know.
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
I would not dream of briefing any other competition lawyer.