City: Melbourne

Michael C. Pryles

Professional Experience

Michael Pryles is one of the leading arbitrators in the Asia/Pacific Region. A recent survey by Cross-border Quarterly (July-September 2006) ranked him in the top 20 arbitration specialists in the world.

He has sat as an arbitrator in over 200 cases in Asia, Europe, North America and Australia.

Michael has experience of both ad hoc and institutional commercial arbitrations under the UNCITRAL, ICC, LCIA, SIAC, HKIAC, CIETAC, SCC, JCAA, KLRCA and Swiss rules, and investor-state arbitrations under the ICSID rules, the ICSID Additional Facility Rules and the UNCITRAL Rules (BITs, NAFTA and state investor protection laws).

These have involved investment, construction, energy, commercial, technology-transfer and joint venture disputes with sums claimed up to US $5 billion.

Michael has published extensively. Previously he was a partner in a major Australian law firm and before that he held a named chair in Australia’s largest law school. He has also held numerous international appointments.
Dispute Resolution Experience and Training

Michael Pryles has extensive experience in International Arbitration. Selected appointments are: Chairman in a dispute between a US corporation and Chinese individual concerning the office supply industry. UNCITRAL Rules. Place of arbitration: Hong Kong. Amount in dispute: US$100 million, Party appointed arbitrator in a dispute between a US corporation and various Indonesian entities concerning the mining industry. SIAC Rules. Place of arbitration: Singapore. Amount in dispute: US$310 million. For full list, please see Michel Pryles web page.

Michael Pryles has gained invaluable skills and knowledge through his domestic arbitration experience as well as mediation experience during his career (please see Michael Pryles web page).
Professional and Other Activities

  • Who’s Who Legal 2006 considered Michael to be “a level above the rest“.
  • The Practical Law Company Yearbook 2006 ranked Michael as one of the leading lawyers in Australia in dispute resolution.
  • Cross-Border Quarterly 2006 ranked Michael in the top 20 arbitration specialists in the world.
  • Who’s Who Legal 2007 described Michael as “the top dog on international arbitration in Australia” and stated that he is seen as being “head and shoulders above everyone else“.
  • Chambers Global 2007 described Michael as “experienced and extremely sound“.
  • The Practical Law Company Yearbook 2007 rated Michael as a leading individual in dispute resolution in Australia and described him as a “well-known international corporate arbitrator“.
  • Chambers Asia 2008 stated that Michael ‘“works hard, thinks smart and always focuses upon what is important”. He was the founding President of the APRAG, and few have contributed as much to the growth of the regional arbitration community as he has. Commentators champion his “independence, diligence and speed in procedural issues” while also lauding his “swift responsiveness in dealing with parties’ requests. Win or lose Counsel will never leave with any complaints of Pryles”‘.
  • Who’s Who Legal 2008 described Michael as having ‘“an international standing and exposure on commercial arbitration” that makes him the most highly-regarded Australian in the book‘.
  • Chambers Global 2008 described Michael as a ‘world-renowned arbitrator‘ who is ‘[a] strong contributor to the development of arbitration within the Asia-Pacific region‘ and ‘was the founding president of the Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group‘.
  • Michael was recognised as one of Australia’s top lawyers, as judged by their peers, Australian Financial Review, 7 March 2008, and 6 March 2009.
  • Michael was ranked as one of the 5 leading individuals in dispute resolution in Australia by PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook 2008 and 2009.
  • Chambers Asia 2009 described “Full-time arbitrator Pryles” as “perhaps Australia’s most successful export in this field”.
  • Who’s Who Legal, Commercial Arbitration 2010, described Michael Pryles as a “star”.
Academic Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Laws
  • Master of Laws
  • Doctor of the Science of Law
  • Doctor of Philosophy
  • Doctor of Laws
  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK)
  • Fellow, Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia
  • Fellow, Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand
  • Fellow, Singapore Institute of Arbitrators
  • Chartered Arbitrator (UK)
  • Grade 1 Arbitrator, Australia

Hon. Neil A. Brown

Professional Experience

The Hon Neil Brown QC is a Queens Counsel in Australia and has had a long and distinguished career in government and the law. He was a Minister in the Federal Government in Australia in charge of portfolios in Attorney-General’s, Communications and Employment and Youth Affairs. In the law, he has appeared in every jurisdiction in Australia and has had experience in commercial, intellectual property, town planning and taxation matters. He is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Murdoch University in Western Australia. He is a qualified arbitrator and mediator practicing in international and domestic matters in the commercial, communication, intellectual property and governmental fields. He is a leading arbitrator and adviser on internet domain name disputes. Representative cases include:

  • International arbitrations on the sale of goods.
  • A long series of arbitrations, advice, lecturing and tutoring on domain names.
  • Two arbitrations on GST (VAT) relating to small business.
  • Arbitration of a dispute on the international sale of goods between India and the United States.
  • Arbitration of a dispute on the sale of Australian wine to the USA.
  • Arbitration of a dispute between NSW /overseas principal and Victorian agent.
  • Alternative dispute resolution hearing on the price of electricity.
  • Mediation of a dispute on competing proposals for the development of a large tract of land in New South Wales.
  • Mediation of dispute on the provision of fringe benefits under a group of remuneration contracts relating to Fringe Benefits Tax.
  • Mediation on breach of service contract involving IP.
  • Mediation of large construction dispute over steel fixing.
  • Mediation of a dispute on restraint of trade on former employees and directors.
  • Mediation of dispute between lender and shareholders and directors of company.
  • Dispute on the terms of a consultancy agreement.
  • Numerous mediations on quality of work, claims for extras and delays in works.
  • Mediation of several disputes between a private health insurer and groups of private hospitals on the degree of reimbursement to be paid by the insurer to the hospitals.
  • Mediation of several disputes between universities/research institutions and investors on the commercialization of inventions.
Dispute Resolution Experience and Training

Practiced in dispute resolution tribunals, arbitration and mediation since 1964
Qualified Arbitrator and Mediator of The Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators, Australia since 2004
Fellow and Chartered Arbitrator of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Intellectual property, Society of Australia and New Zealand
Professional and Other Activities

Maintaining website on domain name arbitration at www.domaintimes.info
Extensive writing and lecturing on arbitration and mediation, including domain name arbitration.
Academic Qualifications

University of Melbourne, LLB 1963