Talk:Amanda Banton

Request to update biography, recent litigation and professional recognition

Disclosure: I am assisting Banton Group in a professional capacity and therefore have a conflict of interest in relation to this article. I am requesting independent review rather than editing the article directly.

The current article contains career information that has not been substantially updated for several years. I would like to propose factual updates based on published sources, including Chambers, Law Society Journal, Lawyers Weekly and court materials.

To make the request easier to review, I will separate the proposed changes into a small number of sections rather than requesting a wholesale replacement of the article.

Part 1 — Lead, career and financial-products litigation

I propose updating the lead to:

Amanda Kim Banton (born 26 July 1970) is an Australian lawyer specialising in class actions, complex commercial litigation, restructuring and insolvency, and financial-products disputes. She is the founder and Managing Partner of Banton Group, a specialist litigation firm established in Sydney in 2020.

I also propose retaining the existing education and early-career information and expanding the financial-products history with the following neutral summary:

Banton completed Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws degrees at the University of Adelaide in 2002. Before entering private legal practice, she worked for the Commonwealth Government and with KPMG Consulting in its Public Sector Consulting Group. She commenced her legal career at Piper Alderman in 2002, became a partner in 2007, and joined Squire Patton Boggs in 2015. In 2020, she established Banton Group.

Financial-products litigation became a significant part of Banton's practice following the global financial crisis. In 2009, Banton and her legal team commenced proceedings against Lehman Brothers Australia on behalf of 72 local councils, charities and other investors concerning losses associated with collateralised debt obligations and other structured financial products. She subsequently represented local councils in Bathurst Regional Council v Local Government Financial Services Pty Ltd (No 5) [2012] FCA 1200, in which the Federal Court found Standard & Poor's liable for misleading and deceptive conduct in relation to ratings assigned to complex financial products.

Banton later acted in further proceedings against Standard & Poor's that settled in 2018 for approximately A$215 million. She also acted in proceedings against Fitch Ratings concerning synthetic collateralised debt obligations, which settled before trial in 2019 for approximately A$27 million.

Supporting sources:

• Chambers 2026: https://chambers.com/lawyer/amanda-banton-global-2%3A771695
• Law Society Journal, "The case that changed me – Amanda Banton": https://lsj.com.au/articles/the-case-that-changed-me-amanda-banton/
• Lawyers Weekly, "Exclusive: Pipers lose leading light": https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/appointments/15926-pipers-lose-leading-light

Thank you for reviewing these proposed updates.

Andrea Osorio A (talk) 06:06, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

Part 2 — Recent significant litigation

I also propose adding a concise section covering more recent significant litigation in which Banton has acted.

Arrium / Bogan

Banton has acted as solicitor for the plaintiffs in the Arrium shareholder class action, Bogan v The Estate of Peter John Smedley (Deceased), involving claims against former directors of Arrium and its former auditor, KPMG.

In 2022, the Supreme Court of Victoria approved a 40 per cent group costs order in the proceeding. The litigation subsequently reached the High Court of Australia in Bogan v The Estate of Peter John Smedley (Deceased) [2025] HCA 7. The High Court considered whether the existence of the Victorian group costs order was relevant when determining whether the proceeding should be transferred to New South Wales.

Supporting sources:

- Supreme Court of Victoria, Bogan v The Estate of Peter John Smedley (Deceased) [2022] VSC 201:

https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-04/Arrium%20Group%20Costs%20Order%20Ruling%20%5B2022%5D%20VSC%20201.pdf

- High Court of Australia, Bogan v The Estate of Peter John Smedley (Deceased) [2025] HCA 7:

https://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases-and-judgments/judgments/judgments-1998-current/bogan-v-estate-peter-john-smedley-deceased

Sydney Light Rail / Hunt Leather

Banton acted as solicitor for the appellants in the Sydney Light Rail litigation, Hunt Leather Pty Ltd v Transport for NSW.

The proceedings concerned claims in private nuisance arising from disruption associated with construction of the Sydney Light Rail project.

In Hunt Leather Pty Ltd v Transport for NSW [2025] HCA 53, the High Court allowed the appeals in part. The case addressed private nuisance, the liability of public authorities and whether damages could include reasonable costs incurred in obtaining litigation funding.

Supporting sources:

- High Court of Australia, appellants' submissions identifying Amanda Banton of Banton Group as solicitor for the appellants:

https://www.hcourt.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-06/HuntLeather-TransportNSW_App%28Joint%29_0.pdf

- High Court of Australia, Hunt Leather Pty Ltd v Transport for NSW [2025] HCA 53:

https://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases-and-judgments/judgments/judgments-1998-current/hunt-leather-pty-ltd-v-transport-nsw

Kupang Resources v Commonwealth

Banton Group, including Amanda Banton, has acted for Kupang Resources Pty Ltd in proceedings against the Commonwealth of Australia concerning knowing receipt under the first limb of Barnes v Addy.

The proceedings involved questions concerning fiduciary duties, trust property, constructive trusts and the receipt by the Australian Taxation Office of proceeds associated with breaches of fiduciary duty.

In Kupang Resources Pty Ltd v Commonwealth of Australia (No 4) [2025] NSWSC 1477, the Supreme Court of New South Wales entered judgment in favour of Kupang. In Commonwealth of Australia v Kupang Resources Pty Ltd [2026] NSWCA 161, the New South Wales Court of Appeal dismissed the Commonwealth's appeal.

Supporting sources:

- Supreme Court of New South Wales, Commonwealth of Australia v Kupang Resources Pty Ltd:

https://supremecourt.nsw.gov.au/practice-procedure/nswca/submissions/commonwealth-of-australia-v-kupang-resources-pty-ltd.html

- Practical Law, Commonwealth of Australia v Kupang Resources Pty Ltd [2026] NSWCA 161:

https://content.next.westlaw.com/practical-law/document/Ifdccc4ff9be411f18517a29fb07d803e/NSWCA-dismisses-Commonwealth-apos-s-appeal-against-liability-for-knowing-receipt-of-trust-property-Commonwealth-of-Australia-v-Kupang-Resources-Pty-Ltd-2026-NSWCA-161

Mayfield Development Corporation v NSW Ports

Banton Group has acted for Mayfield Development Corporation in competition litigation concerning the privatisation of Port Botany and Port Kembla and contractual arrangements involving NSW Ports.

The litigation reached the High Court of Australia in Mayfield Development Corporation Pty Ltd v NSW Port Operations Hold Co Pty Ltd [2026] HCA 12.

In May 2026, the High Court allowed Mayfield's appeal and dismissed the cross-appeals. The decision addressed derivative Crown immunity, issue estoppel, abuse of process and the application of Australian competition law.

Supporting sources:

- High Court of Australia, appellant's submissions filed by Banton Group:

https://www.hcourt.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-09/Mayfield-NSWPorts_App.pdf

- High Court of Australia, Mayfield Development Corporation Pty Ltd v NSW Port Operations Hold Co Pty Ltd [2026] HCA 12:

https://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases-and-judgments/judgments/judgments-1998-current/mayfield-development-corporation-pty-ltd-v-nsw-port-operations-hold-co-pty-ltd

Thank you. Andrea Osorio A (talk) 06:10, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

Part 3 — Leadership, professional contribution and recognition

I also propose adding a concise section addressing Banton's leadership, professional contribution and independently documented professional recognition.

Leadership and professional contribution

A 2015 publication by the Women Lawyers Association of New South Wales described Banton's involvement in mentoring and training legal teams, supporting the career development of women and contributing to diversity initiatives within the legal profession.

In 2018, Lawyers Weekly reported on Banton's merit-based approach to professional development, including giving lawyers substantial responsibility when they demonstrate ability, regardless of gender.

Banton has also contributed to professional commentary on Australian class action law. She was a contributing author to the Australia chapter of Chambers Global Practice Guides' Collective Redress & Class Actions 2023.

The Justice and Equity Centre's 2025 Annual Report identifies Amanda Banton and Banton Group among the supporters of its Impact Litigation Fund, which supports strategic litigation addressing systemic injustice and disadvantage.

Supporting sources:

- Women Lawyers Association of New South Wales, 2015:

https://womenlawyersnsw.org.au/wp-content/uploads/WLANSW-Awards-newsletter-2015-HIRES.pdf

- Lawyers Weekly, "Trust, ability key to advancement of women in law":

https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/22949-trust-ability-key-to-advancement-of-women-in-law

- Chambers Global Practice Guides, Collective Redress & Class Actions 2023:

https://chambers.com/downloads/gpg/950/003_australia.pdf

- Justice and Equity Centre, Annual Report 2025:

https://jec.org.au/wp-content/uploads/jec-publications/18775/JEC-Annual-Report-2025-Web-approved-1.pdf

Professional recognition

Doyle's Guide listed Banton as a Recommended Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyer in New South Wales in 2022. She was subsequently included in the Leading Class Actions Lawyers – Australia list in 2025 and was ranked Recommended in the 2026 national Class Actions guide.

Chambers 2026 ranks Banton Band 4 for Dispute Resolution and describes her as one of the best-known names in the Australian class action market for her representation of plaintiff groups.

The Legal 500 identifies Banton as the head of Banton Group's class actions practice and notes her representation of investors and liquidators in proceedings involving directors, auditors and international credit-rating agencies.

Banton was named Insolvency Partner of the Year at the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards in 2016 and Dispute Resolution Partner of the Year in 2020.

She was an Excellence Awardee for Law Firm Leader of the Year at the Australasian Law Awards in 2022 and 2023, and was included in Australasian Lawyer's Elite Women 2022 list.

Supporting sources:

- Doyle's Guide, Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyers – New South Wales, 2022:

https://doylesguide.com/leading-commercial-litigation-dispute-resolution-lawyers-new-south-wales-2022/

- Doyle's Guide, Leading Class Actions Lawyers – Australia, 2025:

https://doylesguide.com/leading-class-actions-lawyers-australia-2025/

- Doyle's Guide, Leading Class Actions Lawyers – Australia, 2026:

https://doylesguide.com/leading-class-actions-lawyers-australia-2026/

- Chambers, Amanda Banton – 2026:

https://chambers.com/lawyer/amanda-banton-global-2%3A771695

- The Legal 500, Banton Group – Dispute Resolution: Class Actions:

https://www.legal500.com/rankings/ranking/c-australia/dispute-resolution-class-actions/234847-banton-group

- Lawyers Weekly, Partner of the Year Awards 2016:

https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/18814-partner-of-the-year-awards

- Lawyers Weekly, Partner of the Year Awards – 2020 winners and finalists:

https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/partner-of-the-year-awards/winners/2020-winners-and-finalists

- Australasian Law Awards, 2022 Excellence Awardees:

https://www.thelawyermag.com/au/news/general/excellence-awardees-for-australasian-law-awards-2022-revealed/399118

- Australasian Law Awards, 2023:

https://auslawawards.com.au/winner-excellence-awardees-list/winners/2023-winners/?q=2023-winners

- Australasian Lawyer, Elite Women 2022:

https://www.thelawyermag.com/au/best-in-law/elite-women-2022/429461

These proposed additions are intended to update the biography using published and independently verifiable sources while maintaining a neutral and encyclopaedic tone.

Thank you. Andrea Osorio A (talk) 06:12, 31 August 2026 (UTC)