Gilbert + Tobin, Maddocks win for Kidman Resources in WA Supreme Court

The claim to one of the world’s largest undeveloped lithium deposits was dismissed just seven months after it was lodged

Gilbert + Tobin, Maddocks win for Kidman Resources in WA Supreme Court
Gilbert + Tobin (G+T) and Maddocks successfully defended Kidman Resources’ Mt Holland Lithium Project just seven months after a claim was lodged by Marindi Metals in the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

Justice Kenneth Martin dismissed Marindi’s claim saying “no binding or concluded contractual agreement was ever reached” between the two companies. Marindi claimed in November last year that email and text message exchanges in April 2016 showed it had agreed to acquire Kidman’s lithium rights.

The Earl Grey discovery, which is at the centre of the $200m Kidman project at Mt Holland, is one of the largest undeveloped lithium deposits in the world.

The G+T team was led by litigation partner Tim O’Leary, who said that he and his team worked closely with Maddocks’ Roon Smooker and Katherine Styles on the matter.

“We briefed Grant Donaldson SC, who presented a compelling case for Kidman at trial, and the court dismissed Marindi’s claim 5 weeks later – just 7 months after the claim was lodged,” O’Leary said.

Kidman has partnered with Sociedad Química Minera de Chile on the development of the Mt Holland Lithium Project. The two companies will work in a 50-50 joint venture, including on a planned downstream lithium refinery in Western Australia.


Related stories:
Australasian M&A on the rise
National firm elects new chair

Recent articles & video

W+K debuts aviation practice with Clyde & Co lawyer

SA court upholds South Australia's claim on parliamentary privilege and public interest immunity

Jones Day welcomes seasoned banking and finance vet to Sydney partnership

Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner unveils $7m funding stream

Dentons expands banking and finance practice with new partner

Allens welcomes five new partners

Most Read Articles

K&L Gates lures JWS M&A partner

Promotions round beefs up Clyde & Co's Australia partnership

New report reveals key trends in global corporate legal departments in 2024

Brisbane BTR project kicks off with Ashurst's help