Last week, Swaab’s Marc Baddams and William Clement attended the 2026 Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association (ARITA) National Conference on the Gold Coast. The annual conference is a flagship event for Australia’s restructuring and insolvency profession, bringing together practitioners, legal experts, regulators and industry leaders to examine key developments, share practical insights and discuss emerging challenges shaping the sector.
The program featured a range of keynote addresses and panel discussions on topical issues impacting the profession. Among the speakers was Justice Berna Collier of the Federal Court of Australia and former ASIC Commissioner, who provided valuable perspectives on the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in the legal landscape. Her address highlighted how courts and judges are engaging with the opportunities and complexities presented by AI as it becomes increasingly embedded in legal practice.
Across the conference, discussions also focused on recent developments in deeds of company arrangement (DOCA) restructuring, strategies for managing stress and leading teams effectively in high-pressure environments, and ongoing efforts to address gender imbalance within the insolvency profession.
The conference also provided an important forum for networking and collaboration, enabling attendees to connect with peers, exchange ideas and strengthen professional relationships across the industry. We extend our thanks to ARITA for delivering a highly informative and well-organised event.
