Steger, Chris

Chris works in AGS Dispute Resolution where he primarily acts in civil penalty matters for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

His experience includes the conduct of significant competition law and consumer protection matters, including litigation involving cartel conduct, misuse of market power and misleading or deceptive conduct.

In addition to his litigation experience, Chris has substantial experience in conducting and responding to regulatory investigations, having previously worked as an investigator at the ACCC and as a Senior Associate at a major national law firm.

Recent experience

Chris’s recent work includes:

• acting for the ACCC in proceedings against NSW Ports and related entities in relation to anticompetitive agreements reached as part of the privatisation of Port Botany and Port Kembla
• advising ASIC in relation to litigation against ANZ Bank for charging fees to which the Bank was not contractually entitled
• acting for the ACCC in Federal Court proceedings against Volkswagen AG, Audi AG and related entities
• acting for the ACCC in proceedings against Jetstar for false or misleading representations about consumers’ entitlement to refunds for cancelled or delayed flights
• acting for the ACCC in proceedings against ANZ and Macquarie Bank in relation to attempts to rig foreign exchange benchmarks
• acting for the ACCC in proceedings against 6 corporate and individual respondents concerning ‘exclusive dealing’ (non-compete agreements) in the polycarbonate roofing industry
• acting for the ACCC in proceedings against Jetstar and Virgin Australia in relation to the inadequate disclosure of credit card fees
• acting for the ACCC in long-running proceedings against the Cement Australia group and 2 executives for misuse of market power and anticompetitive agreements.

Qualifications

Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Skills and Ethics, Griffith University, 2007

Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of International Business, Griffith University, 2004