Chris Case

I am a former engineer specialising in Technology Transactions (with disputes support) focusing on Defence and Energy & Utilities.

My career started in energy conversion technologies, specifically in thermal power R&D and Oil & Gas. This real world experience as a design and operational engineer has led me towards advising on some of the most challenging Technology Transactions around the World. Today I routinely advise Technology focused clients with the following key needs: (1) project strategy and execution; and (2) distressed project recovery and claims.

Earlier international arbitration experience from the "Bass Gas" arbitration, the O&G production aspects of the Timor-Leste vs Australia dispute, and various IT and process plant matters has given me invaluable insights into de-risking Technology Transactions from the outset.

Adapting this experience to project strategy and execution needs, I now help clients in the Defence and Energy & Utility sectors rollout the most sophisticated capabilities ranging from: (1) maritime, land, air, space and cyber domain platforms; and (2) transmission, distribution, renewables, BESS, O&G and nuclear projects.

A key area of my practice is coordinating multi-disciplined teams whereby my client's legal, commercial and technical teams can manage risk holistically. This includes advising on and shaping the regulatory landscape to enable accelerated, de-risked project delivery. Within this legal framework, I have specific Defence expertise in IP and international export (including defence nuclear technology) controls; and Energy & Utilities expertise in regulations (including civil nuclear). Contract-specific experience includes: ASDEFCON, FIDIC – particularly Silver (Turnkey), NEC3, AS4000 and AS2124, bespoke alliance, ECI, EPC, O&M and outsource agreements, PPAs and custom derivatives.

• I have advised a broad range of clients across defence, energy, utilities, and technical disputes.
• In the defence sector, I've supported US, UK, German, and Australian defence primes on major maritime, land, and joint venture programs, including sensor suite integration, frigate production facilities, reconnaissance vehicle acquisitions, and sustainment strategies for naval fleets. I've also worked with medium and small defence enterprises on technology commercialisation.
• In Energy and Utilities, I've advised sponsors of wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems on EPC and O&M strategies, regulatory compliance for transmission and distribution providers, and procurement for nuclear and bioethanol projects. My experience includes supporting sponsors and engineers through FEED phases and advising on contract strategy for hydrogen infrastructure. In technical disputes, I've handled claims involving offshore and onshore oil and gas defects, fiscal regimes, IT systems, and process plant performance, including expert witness briefing.