Clifford Chance advises on Murra Warra Wind Farm investment

A team from Clifford Chance in Sydney has advised global private markets investment manager Partners Group on the acquisition and multi-million-dollar investment in a Victorian renewable energy project.

The deal involved the 100% acquisition and more than AU$200 million equity investment on behalf of Partners Group’s clients in the 226MW Murra Warra Wind Farm (Stage 1) renewable energy project in Victoria from Macquarie Capital and RES.

Partner Andrew Cook and counsel Reuben van Werkum led the deal.

"This renewable energy asset will generate enough clean energy to power 220,000 Australian households and offset more than 900,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year,” said van Werkum. “We're delighted to again support long term client Partners Group on their fourth renewable energy investment in Australia since 2015."

Chapman Tripp considering formal Maori language policy
Chapman Tripp is currently supporting New Zealand’s Maori Language Week with several initiatives to help boost confidence among staff in using Te Reo.

“Chapman Tripp has long been an advocate of cultivating Māori culture and keeping the language strong. We offer Te Reo classes in all three of our offices, all of which are fully subscribed, and our Te Waka Ture (Māori legal) group work closely with our people across the firm to promote the use of Te Reo,” said chief executive partner Nick Wells.

He added that the firm is currently considering a formal Te Reo language policy “with the intent that a fundamental level of Te Reo should be able to be used by everyone across the firm in dealing with our clients and staff.”

Arbitration success is boosted by hiring a lawyer study says
A new study of private arbitration cases has concluded that hiring a lawyer is a key to success.

The research from the California Law Review looked at almost 41,000 consumer, medical malpractice, and employment arbitration cases and determined the process to be generally efficient and affordable.

It found that the chances of success are greatly impacted by hiring a lawyer versus self-representation.

Reuters reports that the study, to be published in 2019, reveals that, although arbitration is not a substitute for litigation, the California Supreme Court’s pro-arbitration rulings have led lawyers to find new opportunities.

For example, there has been an increase in lawyers filing multiple arbitrations, effectively creating alternative class actions.

However, the study says that lawyers are reluctant to take arbitration cases and may need to be incentivized to do so by state lawmakers.