About GRT Lawyers
GRT Lawyers is an astute and trusted advisor working collaboratively with clients to simplify and solve complex legal and business problems. Clients are at the heart of everything we do.
We take the time to understand our client’s goals. We are proactive and responsive, and we have the experience to successfully achieve specific corporate outcomes for our clients.
For over a decade of dedicated service as corporate and litigation specialists, GRT Lawyers has firmly established itself as astute and trusted advisors in the legal profession. The firm has honed its craft, building a reputation for solving complex legal and business problems with precision and finesse.
GRT is your business partner if you are preparing for an initial public offering, dealing with a hostile takeover, or structuring a capital raising initiative. We can help you achieve growth by acquisition, commercialising technology and strengthening a balance sheet through divestment. Contact us for assistance in developing and executing your optimum corporate strategy or defusing a large dispute.
Our unique approach, business model and client focused culture sets us apart and inspires our people to deliver the highest standard of service and outcomes for our clients.
The GRT approach is simple: we invest in our clients, grow their business, and protect their assets.
Join our journey
Whether you’re a multinational corporation or a budding startup, GRT Lawyers welcomes you to experience legal partnership like never before. With a legacy of excellence spanning 12 years, we’re committed to propelling your business forward and ensuring your legal challenges are met with unmatched expertise. Discover how the power of seasoned experience, innovative thinking, and client-centric values can transform the way you receive legal services. Reach out to us today and embark on a journey that’s defined by collaboration, growth, and unwavering legal support.
Our expertise
At GRT Lawyers, we understand the complexities of corporate law and dispute resolution, and the significant impact they can have on your business. Our dedicated team offers bespoke legal services, drawing upon a wealth of experience to strategically navigate intricate legal frameworks and potentially contentious situations.
Whether you’re dealing with mergers, acquisitions, capital markets, or navigating through a dispute, we provide insightful guidance and robust representation tailored to your unique circumstances. We strive to protect your interests and position your business for continued success, even amidst the most challenging legal landscapes.
- Corporate
- Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Corporate
We deliver innovative and strategic legal solutions that drive success, safeguarding your corporation’s interests while navigating complex corporate law.
Global Focus
We work with law firms around the world on behalf of organisations seeking to grow their business across boarders.
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Global Focus
At GRT Lawyers, we work with law firms around the world on behalf of organisations seeking to grow the business across borders.
Our globally focussed professional advisory team creates a strong international network to deliver important and valuable outcomes for our clients. Working with GRT gives you access to our unique insights and wealth of global knowledge and experience. We offer the highest quality service across all market verticals.
The GRT approach is simple: we invest in our clients, grow their business, and protect their assets.
Corporate Advisory
We support your business journey - from IPOs and acquisitions to organic growth and divestments.
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Corporate Advisory
We excel in complex transactions.
If an Initial Public Offering (IPO) is on your corporate horizon, engage GRT to ensure you do everything that is required commercially and legally to achieve the most successful IPO outcome.
With expertise across the entire spectrum of structures and decision making, GRT is here to assist you when it matters. The knowledge and expertise of our Corporate Advisory Team gives us the unique ability to handle the most complex corporate matters and transactions.
We help clients assess strategic options to:
- grow by acquisition;
- defuse large disputes;
- fund organic growth; and
- strengthen balance sheets through divestment.
GRT is focused on excellence and the delivery of the highest quality of professional services.
Transactions
Our global experience, together with our highly qualified team, enables us to deliver the highest quality Corporate Advisory Services. We create tangible value for all our sophisticated listed and unlisted clients. Some of the recent transactions our team members have managed and advised on include:
- Legal advisor to Packform on its pre-IPO funding of US$12,437,500.
- Legal advisor to SendFX Limited on its pre-IPO raise of $6.5 million.
- Felix Gold Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
- Duke Exploration Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
- Apiam Animal Health Limited on its acquisition of 12 businesses and A$40 million IPO and ASX listing to form a vertically integrated animal health business with an initial market capitalisation of circa A$100 million
- Canopy Tools / CT4 – A$21 million pre-IPO convertible note and sell down to institutional investors
- Cerro Resources on its Canadian TSX-V listing
- Coppermoly Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
- Macarthur Coal/MCG Group advised MCG Group on its A$360 million debt funding of MDL 162
- RightCrowd Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
- Santana Minerals Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
- Polymetals Mining Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
- P2P Transport Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
- Soon Mining Limited on its IPO and ASX Listing
Capital Markets
GRT expertly guides your capital raising endeavours with expert capital markets knowledge.
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Capital Markets
Capital markets can play an important role in driving the value of your business. GRT guides our clients through transactions from the simplest to the most complex. The goal is to complete the capital raising (equity or debt) efficiently and successfully.
Balancing your capital needs with shareholder and market expectations against a backdrop of disclosure obligations and pricing tensions can be complex. Our team has the experience to effectively structure your capital raising and smoothly guide you through the process to deliver a successful and efficient raising.
Whether it be an IPO, placement, rights issue (traditional or non-traditional) or any other equity or debt raising, GRT is your business partner in such important capital raising transactions.
Secondary Capital Raising
We provide strategic legal advice for IPOs and secondary listings, facilitating your seamless entry into the public markets.
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Secondary Capital Raisings
Our stake our reputation on advising local and global companies on their successful IPO or secondary listings. We are experienced with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Hong Kong Exchange (HKEX), Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX), London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM), Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), Botswana Stock Exchange (BSX) and National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSX).
Transactions
We have worked with national and international companies to successfully formulate, execute, and advise on secondary debt and equity raising strategies including:
- Legal advisor to ASX Listed: Hawsons on its A$5 million institutional placement in November 2022 and a combined A$8.8 million institutional placement and share purchase plan in February 2023
- Legal adviser to ASX Listed: Far East Gold Ltd on its A$4.4 million Share Purchase Plan in December 2022 and a A$2.1 million institutional placement in November 2022
- Legal advisor to ASX Listed: Sayona Mining Limited on its C$50 million (A$54.9 million) capital raise through Flow-Through Shares in March 2023
- A$100 million placement and A$25.5 million rights issue for Sayona Mining Limited ASX:SYA
- A$50 million placement to institutional and professional investors for Sayona Mining Limited ASX:SYA
- A$5 million share purchase plan for Sayona Mining Limited ASX:SYA
- A$35.6 million fully underwritten non-renounceable rights issue, placement and conditional placement, for Carpentaria Resources ASX:CAP
- A$8 million placement for Duke Exploration to domestic and international investors
- A$3 million share purchase plan for Duke Exploration
- A$50 million placement for Alpha HPA to institutional and sophisticated investors
- A$6 million placement to institutional investors for Apiam
- A$1.5 million share purchase plan for Black Oak Minerals Limited
- A$2.57 million fully underwritten rights issue for Sayona Mining Limited ASX/SYA
- A$7.1 million underwritten placement and accelerated rights issue for Sayona Mining Limited ASX/SYA
- A$7.3 million capital raising for Chesser Resources Limited ASX/CHZ, comprising A$2.46 million placement (oversubscribed) and A$4.84 million underwritten, pro-rata renounceable entitlement offer
- A$19 million project debt financing for Armour Energy Limited ASX:AJQ
- A$30 million capital raising for Tritium on its European and United States expansion
- A$50 million investment in Vitrinite Pty Ltd by a US-based investor
- A$50 million underwritten institutional secondary capital raising for Discovery Metals Limited Rights ASX/DML, by way of an institutional bookbuild
- A$62 million raising for Black Oak Minerals Limited, comprising A$25 million forward gold purchase agreement, A$35 million credit facility and A$2 million equity investment (involving convertible warrants)
- A$142 million Issue and placement raising across 13 jurisdictions for Discovery Metals Limited Rights ASX/DML
- US$159 million successful debt re-profiling for Discovery Metals Limited Rights ASX/DML
- US$205 million Debt project financing for Discovery Metals Limited Rights ASX/DML, including the negotiation and execution of complex copper and silver hedge agreements
- Avalon Minerals Limited on its non-renounceable, pro-rata underwritten rights issue
- MinQuest Limited placement to exempt investors and convertible note issue
Mergers and Acquisitions
Our highly experienced team optimises shareholder value in mergers, acquisitions, and / or divestments through strategic decision-making support.
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Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions can realise a significant amount of shareholder value. The key is to ensure they are properly structured and implemented. Our highly experienced team enables clients to make the right decisions before, during and after any merger, acquisition, and / or divestment.
Transactions
We advise on complex mergers and acquisitions for sophisticated national and international listed and unlisted companies across all sectors, especially in resources and technology.
We have significant expertise in deal structuring and execution. We typically project manage, take responsibility for timetable management, organise and oversee the different transaction stages to ensure the objectives of our clients are achieved.
Examples of our deals include:
- ACD on its sale to Diversitech
- AHG on its takeover by AMA Group
- Apiam Animal Health Limited ASX:AHX on its acquisition of 12 businesses and A$40 million IPO to form a vertically integrated animal health business with an initial market capitalisation of circa A$98.5 million
- Black Oak Minerals BOK on its acquisition of the Manuku Silver Mine in NSW
- Carpentaria ASX:CAP on its completion of Sale and Purchase Agreement to increase holding in Hawsons Iron Project to 94%
- Cedarfield Holdings Pty Ltd on its 90% takeover of winery business Swings and Roundabouts Limited for circa A$2.7 million
- CMR Coal regarding listed ASF Group Limited’s investment into CMR
- Cerro Resources Limited:
- Scheme of arrangement with Canadian based Primero Mining Corporation (listed on TSX and NYSE)
- Merger with San Anton Resources Corporation for A$50 million
- DateTix Group Limited ASX:DTX on its back-door listing into Enverro Limited (formerly ASX:ERR) resulting in a change to the scale and nature of activities from a software and services business to a mobile location based social platform
- Discovery Metals Limited ASX:DML on its response to a proposed A$830 million hostile bid by Cathay Fortune Corporation and China-Africa Development Fund
- Enverro on its A$5 million acquisition of DateTix and recompliance listing
- Himstedt Family on the acquisition of the Ginger Division of the iconic Australian business, Buderim Group Limited (ASX:BUG) A$13 million
- Huddy’s Plant Hire on its sale to Industrea Limited for A$250 million
- Laneway Resources Limited ASX:LNY on its farm-in and joint venture with Newcrest Mining to develop its gold project in New Zealand
- Marubeni Coal Pty Ltd on its proposal to align its interest with Xstrata and separate acquisition of a A$300 million interest in Jellinbah Resources
- MCG Group on its successful bid and A$285 million acquisition of MDL 162 (a major coal asset) from the Queensland Government’s Stanwell Corporation Limited, including facilitation of strategic funding and FIRB approval advice
- Meijin Energy Group Limited on its proposed takeover of DMC Mining Limited ASX:DMM
- Meridan Minerals Limited ASX:MMI:
- Reverse takeover of Bellevue Resources Limited, and the acquisition of its major plant (from Ireland) required for the Lennard Shelf Project
- Aggregation of its original asset portfolio and equity placements to Chinese State-owned entity, Northwest Nonferrous International Investment Co Limited
- Scheme of Arrangement with major shareholder
- MinQuest Limited ASX:MNQ on its earn in and acquisition of several copper / gold projects in Canada and Australia
- National Optical Care on its acquisition of an initial portfolio of 14 optometry practices
- Omni Market Tide Limited ASX:OMT on its back-door listing of real time shareholder engagement technology business into SWW Energy Limited (ASX:SWW)
- P2P Transport Limited ASX:P2P on its acquisition of Black and White Holdings Limited
- Polymetals Mining Limited on its A$30 million merger with Southern Cross Goldfields Limited (formerly ASX:SXG) via a scheme of arrangement
- Private Client acting in the sale of timber milling business
- Private Equity Fund on its acquisition of multiple New Zealand based services businesses in connection with an IPO and ASX listing
- RightCrowd for its A$22 million acquisition of security wearables vendor, Ticto N.V., as well as its fully-owned US subsidiary Ticto Inc
- Roc-Drill on its sale to Norcliffe Mining Services
- Santana Minerals Limited:
- Acquisition of a silver project in Mexico
- Off-market share sale of shares in Syndicated Metals Limited, purchase of a 49% interest in Queensland tenements (taking its interests to 100%) from Syndicated, on-sale of the 100% interest for shares in Midas Resources Limited (ASX:MD5) and the grant of a royalty in relation to the tenements
- Sayona Mining Limited:
- Acquisition of the Itabela graphite project in South America
- A$4 million acquisition of the Aurthier Lithium Project
- Shine Corporate Limited (ASX:SHJ) on its acquisition of ACA Lawyers Pty Ltd
- Tata Steel on its sale to Vale Australia (QC) Pty Ltd of its interests in the Carborough Downs Coal Mine Join Venture
- Tritium in relation to Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s strategic investment of A$58 million into Tritium
- Vitrinite on its Takeover Panel proceedings in November 2013
Takeovers
GRT’s experience on takeover matters gives us a unique position to guide boards and executives successfully through any type of takeover – friendly or hostile.
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Takeovers
GRT’s extensive experience managing takeovers sets us apart from our competitors. We are well positioned to provide first-class guidance to company boards and senior executives on takeover matters, whether friendly or hostile.
We understand the complexities that are involved in a takeover and we tailor our approach based on the unique circumstances surrounding each case. We assist in the initial stages of strategy development, advising on potential risk factors and setting realistic expectations. As the takeover progresses, we provide continuous support, handling negotiations, regulatory compliance, in addition to other legal matters that arise.
Our guidance extends beyond the takeover event. Post-takeover, we assist with integration matters, ensuring a smooth transition. Our goal is to protect your company’s interests and maximise value for stakeholders throughout the process. In essence, GRT is not just a legal advisor, but a strategic partner guiding you through the turbulent waters of corporate takeovers.
Financial Services Governance, Regulation and Compliance
GRT's experience covers the entire corporate governance, financial regulation and financial crime compliance spectrum.
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Financial Services Governance, Regulation and Compliance
GRT’s services include advice on corporate governance, financial regulation and financial crime compliance spectrum.
These services include:
- Strategy and business development advice and design
- Governance/Risk/Compliance framework reviews and updates (including corporate governance, risk management and financial crime compliance framework audits and updates, coupled with the development and delivery of new or updated frameworks, systems, controls, policies and procedures)
- Financial product design and distribution advice for new (and existing) financial products (e.g. to comply with regulatory change in this area)
- Financial licensing advice, applications and exemptions (e.g. for AFSL and ACL holders or applications for such licences, particularly in relation to novel business structures and products)
- Corporate Governance and Prudential applications, issues and compliance (e.g. accountability maps, policies and procedures arising out of BEAR, reviews and updates to performance and remuneration frameworks to comply with existing (and future) standards and obligations)
- Investigation management, announcement and response advice and co-ordination (including ASX announcements and stakeholder management), design and delivery of remediation programs
- Formal legal representation in response to the exercise of compulsory powers (e.g. compulsory examinations and notices), administrative action, and the full suite of regulatory action including litigation management
- Effective regulator liaison and negotiation with federal financial regulators including ASIC, APRA, AUSTRAC, ASX and other regulators as necessary and
- Specialised training for members of the board, executive, and across the business in relation to culture, conduct, compliance obligations, practices, procedures, consequences, and liabilities
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
The GRT Litigation and Disputes team proactively assists clients to resolve contentious matters and reach commercial outcomes where appropriate. The team has the skills and experience to pre-empt and defuse disputes before they become costly and cause reputational damage.
If litigation or arbitration is unavoidable, the Litigation and Disputes team has a proven track record of successfully undertaking the most technically challenging matters. Our experience gained in global and top-tier law firms enable us to tackle the most complex legal disputes competently and fearlessly.
We provide clients with cost effective and outcome focused strategies.
Commercial Disputes
GRT is well-equipped to assist you with your commercial disputes, whether arising in contract, construction, commercial, or insolvency.
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Commercial Disputes
GRT is well-equipped to assist you with any commercial disputes.
GRT can provide expert advice and advocacy in relation to commercial disputes in litigation in all of Australia’s superior court jurisdictions in addition to international and domestic commercial arbitration.
Recent examples include:
- Successfully defended a guarantee claim relating to Great Southern Finance investors in South Australian Supreme Court proceedings: Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited & Ors v Pickard & Anor [2019] SASC 123
- Successfully defended, counter-sued and recovered circa $28 million in debt recovery action on behalf of a Singapore based entity: Mineralogy Pty Ltd v BGP Geoexplorer Pte Ltd [2018] QCA 174 and Palmer Petroleum v BGP Geoexplorer [2016] QCA 149
- Acted for DML on its US$20 million Supreme Court (FIDIC) win against ASX listed company Sedgman Limited
- Settled a Queensland Supreme Court claim for a UK-based multinational in relation to Australian tax indemnities
- Acted for a SGX listed company in complex financial services litigation against funds manager and its insurer
- Acting for a Sydney-based HNW in Supreme Court of Queensland proceedings claiming breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and misleading and deceptive conduct
- Acting for an Australian-based construction company operating in Papua New Guinea in the National Court of Papua New Guinea against a multinational mining companyany commercial
Corporate Disputes
We have significant experience acting for clients in disputes concerning directors’ duties, shareholder actions, trustees and unitholders disputes, and disputes arising from joint ventures, partnerships and other business structures.
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Corporate Disputes
Working closely with our colleagues in the Corporate team, we have significant experience acting for clients in disputes concerning directors’ duties, shareholder actions, trustees and unitholders disputes, and disputes arising from joint ventures, partnerships and other business structures.
Our experience in Takeovers Panel and Schemes of Arrangement rival service by top tier and global law firms.
Our reputation is built on our ability to extract personnel, reformulate relationships and defuse tensions to get keep clients focused on business.
- Defended and resolved before trial a A$36 million shareholder dispute before the Queensland Supreme Court
- Acted for the former CEO of a leading national law firm in a high-profile exit from the business
- Acting for an ASX-listed company in proceedings concerning joint venture interests
Class Actions
The GRT Litigation and Disputes Team are well-placed to assist in the conduct and defence of class actions. We are currently acting for a former executive in a high profile Australian Federal Court shareholder class action..
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Class Actions
Class actions are on the rise in Australia. The GRT Litigation and Disputes Team are well-placed to assist in the conduct and defence of class actions. We are currently acting for a former executive in a high profile Australian Federal Court shareholder class action.
Regulatory Investigations and Enforcement Action
Since 2012, GRT has assisted many businesses, directors and officers facing regulatory investigations and enforcement action involving the ATO, ASIC, the ACCC, Takeovers Panel and overseas regulators.
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Regulatory Investigations and Enforcement Action
Since 2012, GRT has assisted many businesses, directors and officers facing regulatory investigations and enforcement action involving the ATO, ASIC, the ACCC, Takeovers Panel and overseas regulators.
We have acted for examinees in examinations and defended claims in relation to breach of director duties.
Given the reputational risk, risk to personal assets and, in some cases, risk of criminal prosecution or civil penalty proceedings, it is integral that you have an experienced and diligent legal team on your side.
Ashley Hill’s (Director) experience in contentious regulatory matters and insurance litigation means that you will receive critical advice related to any regulatory investigation or enforcement action.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
GRT has the experience and know-how to successfully navigate your company through pre-litigation negotiations, mediation, international commercial arbitration, expert adjudication and other forms of ADR.
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Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
GRT has the experience and expertise to successfully navigate your company through any type of of ADR.
We advise clients on the most strategic and cost-effective approach in consideration of the costs, time requirements and stressors typical of litigation and arbitration.
Since 2014, Ashley Hill (Director) has been listed in ‘Best Lawyers in Australia’ Peer Review in the category of International Arbitration. He has acted for clients in arbitrations before SIAC, HKIAC and ICC. Ashley is also listed in the Doyle’s Guide for Leading Litigation and Dispute Resolution Lawyers in Queensland. Team members are also specialists in international commercial arbitration and qualified in foreign jurisdictions such as Hong Kong.
GRT’s skills and experience in negotiation have achieved commercial resolutions for our clients on many occasions, thereby avoid the costs and time taken in litigation or arbitration.
- ICC commercial arbitration for a listed Australian entity against a global mining company
- SIAC commercial arbitration for a Mongolian company against Japanese entities
- Prosecuted and resolved before trial a claim for a multinational company pursuant to a tax indemnity clause
Referrals/conflicts
GRT regularly assists other law firms in matters where a conflict has arisen with a current or prospective client and/or expert local representation (town agency) is required.
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Referrals/Conflicts
GRT regularly assists other law firms in matters where a conflict has arisen with a current or prospective client and/or expert local representation (town agency) is required.
We provide an excellent service which respects the relationship between the client and referring lawyers.
Respect and integrity are key GRT values reflected in all the work that we undertake for our valued clients.
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GRT Foundation
Founded by GRT Lawyers to support the needs of children, young people, and their families, the GRT Foundation is a social enterprise making a significant difference to our local community.
