Andrew Forbes

Andrew joined Turks in February 2020 as a Partner in the Brisbane Commercial team.

Andrew has over 25 years' litigation experience with particular focus on commercial disputes and regulatory litigation. He is recognised for his expertise in:

• regulatory prosecutions and investigations;
• administrative law matters including judicial and merits review proceedings;
• professional liability claims;
• consumer and competition disputes
• product liability claims and product recalls; and
• commercial and corporate disputes.

He has acted for corporate and commercial clients, as well as government departments at all levels and many national and State regulatory agencies.

Andrew has extensive experience conducting disciplinary proceedings, often as advocate, for regulatory bodies throughout Australia. This includes acting in:

• professional misconduct proceedings (especially in the health sector);
• sporting disciplinary matters;
• environmental prosecutions; and
• public health and safety prosecutions.

He has also acted in many judicial review and merits review proceedings. He has conducted factual investigations for regulatory bodies and is often called upon to assist clients during the investigation phase by advising upon the adequacy and admissibility of evidence. He also advises regulatory clients on their scope of these bodies' regulatory powers and functions.

He has acted in civil and criminal penalty proceedings for corporate and consumer contraventions, such as those brought by the ACCC and ASIC. He has also acted in competition and consumer law claims. He assists corporate clients in the agricultural, food, manufacturing, retail and financial sectors in their dealings with regulatory bodies, including where product recalls may be necessary.

Andrew has also acted in many insurance related claims, in particular concerning professional indemnity and product liability claims. He has also acted in a number of class action proceedings. Andrew has assisted insurers called to give evidence before Commissions of Inquiry.

He has acted for parties required to give information and evidence to assist public inquiries, including the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, Dr Patel and Bundaberg and other Hospitals Inquiry, and the Queensland Flood Commission Inquiry.

For some years, Andrew has given presentations to many clients and at international and national conferences on topics within his areas of expertise.

Andrew is recognised in the 2016 - 2021 editions of Best Lawyers in Australia for his expertise in Regulatory Practice.

Andrew is the deputy chair of the Queensland Law Society’s Occupational Discipline Law Committee.