Mark Johnston KC

Biography

Mark Johnston KC has a commercial law practice with respect to large and complex court litigation and arbitral proceedings.      

Mark has acted as an arbitrator in international arbitrations under various institutional rules. He is on the panel of arbitrators for the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration and on the list of arbitrators for the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. He has also appeared as a leading counsel in some of the largest arbitral proceedings concerning energy, resource and infrastructure projects in Asia and in Australia. This includes international arbitrations with respect to the Roy Hill Iron Ore Project, the Gorgon LNG Project, the Ichthys LNG Project, the QGC LNG Project, the Tan Burrup Project, commodity export terminals, numerous wind farm and renewable energy projects in Asia, coal projects, airport projects in Asia, hospital and infrastructure projects in Mongolia, gold mine projects in the Philippines and price regulation for access to infrastructure, amongst other major commercial arbitrations. He has appeared as a leading counsel in many commercial arbitrations in London, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and has worked as counsel on international arbitrations in Dubai, Spain and in the UK.  

Mark has also appeared in many commercial proceedings in courts including with respect to petroleum royalties, the BHP Mitsubishi Coal Project, the Abbot Point Export Terminal, the APLNG project, the GLNG Project, litigation with respect to petroleum permits and mining interests, rights and obligations under Texas Operating Agreements, the Wiggins Island Coal Terminal, the Carmichael Coal Project, gold and copper projects, wind farm and renewable energy projects, rail projects and with respect to various other large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, in addition to various proceedings for insurance claims and commercial claims with respect to property developments.   

Mark has been briefed as counsel in royal commissions and statutory commissions of inquiry, including the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, the Royal Commission into the Queensland floods, the Commission of Inquiry in relation to a Blackhawk helicopter crash and a statutory Commission of Inquiry as counsel assisting in relation to matters concerning the Australian Defence Force.     

Mark was awarded dux and the University Medal in Law for the Bachelor of Laws. He also holds a Masters in Law with distinction (Commercial Law) (ANU), a Masters in International Relations (Qld), a Bachelor of Arts (Management) (NSW) and a Diploma in Chinese (Mandarin). Mark was awarded the James Archibald Douglas Prize for the Bar advocacy course. He is a graduate of the Royal Military College (Duntroon), the Australian Defence Force Academy, and St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace.   

Before being called to the independent Bar, Mark worked as a lawyer for the Commonwealth Government and for a top-tier international law firm. He was appointed a Special Adviser to the United Nations in East Timor and received a United Nations’ Commendation for outstanding performance. Mark also had the unique opportunity to participate in an inaugural Government-sponsored instructor exchange in China which saw him live and work in China. Mark has been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal and a United Nations Medal.   

Mark has been recognised by Chambers & Partners in the ranking of “spotlight” for international arbitration in the Asia-Pacific Region and as a leading senior counsel for arbitration by Doyle’s Guide.  In addition to being on various institutional lists as an arbitrator, he is a member of professional committees in respect of international commercial arbitration, including ACICA’s Legislative Committee and a state committee, the International Committee of the Australian Bar Association, and the ICC Singapore Arbitration Group, and he is the Chair of the Commercial Arbitration Committee of the Queensland Bar Association.

Mark accepts briefs as an arbitrator, counsel for court and arbitral proceedings, an expert for expert determinations, as a referee and as a mediator.    

Mark Johnston KC has permanent chambers in Australia and in Singapore at Maxwell 42 – International Arbitration Chambers Singapore (see: www.maxwell42.com).