Westinghouse Uranium Litigation
Westinghouse Uranium Litigation
In 1976 Westinghouse Corporation of the United States commenced international litigation against world uranium producers, including four Australian companies involved in the Australian uranium industry. The litigation involved claims amounting to $7.6 billion (1976 dollars). This was the largest law suit involving Australian companies at that time. The litigation extended over a five year period until it was settled in 1981.
In 1976 Westinghouse Corporation of the United States commenced international litigation against world uranium producers, including four Australian companies involved in the Australian uranium industry. The litigation involved claims amounting to $7.6 billion (1976 dollars). This was the largest law suit involving Australian companies at that time. The litigation extended over a five year period until it was settled in 1981.
Mr Chambers’s role in that litigation was that of the lead lawyer for all of the Australian companies as the defence of the litigation was led by Rio Tinto Limited. The litigation involved an exhaustive defence of all the uranium operations in Australia. The Australian government provide strong support to the Australian companies and introduced special legislation to protect against seizure of the Australian uranium assets. The settlement negotiations in 1981 involved Mr Chambers travelling around the world ten times in six months, including taking instructions from the Australian government’s cabinet via ambassadors in foreign countries.