Australia

Despite being the smallest continent, Australia is the world’s sixth largest country and has a GDP of $611.7 billion (2004 est.)* and a 3.5% growth rate. With a reputation as ‘the land of plenty’ and a climate to match, Australia has much to offer experienced lawyers.

Opportunities are available across a variety of firms from niche specialist practices to global heavyweights – and include, of course, the in-house teams of many large multinational corporations and financial institutions. All are served by Hughes-Castell, via our offices in the four key financial centres: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

Recent years have seen a sharp increase in demand for candidates with strong common law jurisdiction experience, and while it is difficult to predict what direction the market will take in the future, it is entirely probable that recent levels of demand will be sustained, given the strength of the economy and forecasts for growth.

The bulk of demand comes from private practice: from mid and larger-sized full-service commercial firms – a mixture of the strong local firms who make up the Australian equivalent of the UK’s Magic Circle as well as a number of international firms with offices in the Eastern states’ capitals.

Demand is high for UK candidates with experience in corporate, finance, capital markets/securitisation, construction, projects and project finance, energy and dispute resolution.

Opportunities are also available in the in-house market with major corporations, banks and resource companies, however, given the size of the market, these are less frequent and generally attract keen competition from local candidates.

To discuss opportunities, or for more general advice about moving to (or back to) Australia, please contact Kristi Edwards at the London office of Hughes-Castell. Kristi was formerly a consultant with Hughes-Castell in Australia.

Alternatively, visit our Australian website.

* Source: www.cia.gov