Sarah Jones
Clayton Utz
Known for delivering timely, commercial and pragmatic advice, Sarah advises public and private sector clients on major infrastructure projects, regulatory compliance, government procurement and complex commercial matters.
She has extensive project experience in the public infrastructure and aviation sectors, with particular expertise in development on and near airport sites across multiple jurisdictions, the purchasing of aviation assets, strategic advice on engagement with key regulators and stakeholders, and planning and approvals processes for on-airport development and significant other major infrastructure assets . Sarah also has deep expertise in the negotiation, management and implementation of bespoke commercial arrangements, in particular aeronautical pricing agreements for both RPT and other operations.
Sarah supplements her specialist aviation technical skills with a broader commercial practice, enabling her to provide comprehensive, practical advice to clients navigating complex projects and regulatory environments across a range of regulated infrastructure and industries. She is recognised as a collaborative team member who brings a solutions-oriented approach to even the most complex matters and is committed to making the complex simple for clients.
Aviation Regulatory Advice: Advising infrastructure owners and aviation industry participants in relation to compliance with the Australian aviation regulatory landscape, including in relation to the Airports Act, Aviation Transport Security Act, the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act and the Civil Aviation Safety Act, its regulations and technical manuals and documents. Sarah's clients include major RPT Airports, metropolitan airports, council and privately owned airports alongside other industry participants and operators.
Airport Developments: Sarah regularly advises clients on the planning and approval pathways applicable to developments both on and adjacent to airports and aviation assets. This includes advising on both general commercial and aviation specific developments. As examples, Sarah has advised on the Western Sydney Airport Business Park Stage One Project, the establishment of new Airport terminals, airspace establishment planning and control matters and significant aviation infrastructure upgrades. Sarah regularly advises clients on the development, implementation, approval and management of Master Plans, Major Development Plans, controlled activity approvals and other development-critical approvals on and near aviation infrastructure assets.
Commercial arrangements: Sarah advises on a broad range of commercial arrangements but has a particular interest in aviation commercial arrangements. This includes advising on arrangements such as airline pricing (both domestic and international), ground handling agreements, cargo operation agreements, security screening contracts, airport conditions of use, general leasing, fuel services agreements and ground transport arrangements.
Government commercial contracts and arrangements: Sarah provides commercial law advisory support to both Commonwealth State departments and agencies. In this capacity Sarah has worked on a range of matters, including in relation to procurement, contract negotiation, contract management, grant management, intellectual property (including indigenous artwork licensing) and general commercial matters.
Venture Capital Funds: Sarah has advised on the establishment, operation and winding up of government backed venture capital funds. In addition to general corporate and commercial advice in relation to these funds, Sarah advises on the governance and risk issues associated with government programs.
Government joint venture arrangements: Advising government authorities and government business enterprises on the approach to the development and management of complex joint venture arrangements to deliver significant commercial developments with the private sector. This includes not only the negotiation and implementation of joint venture arrangements but also the consideration of their interaction with essential government accountability and oversight requirements.
Aircraft procurement and management: Sarah has advised on the purchasing, leasing, exporting and maintenance arrangements for aircraft and aircraft parts in Australia. This has included advising government agencies in relation to specialist use aircraft and in relation to the adoption and treatment of relevant international conventions in Australia.
Public sector projects: Advising on the development of terms, negotiation of contracts and planning frameworks required to deliver major public sector projects and infrastructure. These projects are often unique in their characteristics and challenges, first of their kind and high profile. This has included advising the Commonwealth on significant asset delivery in national parks alongside the handing back to Traditional Owners of the Jabiru Township following the closure of the Ranger Uranium mine.
General regulatory: Advising a range of regulated industry participants on their compliance with relevant regulatory frameworks and the development and implementation of commercial, construction and other development agreements.