Wright recruits top lawyer

Private Perth company Wright Prospecting has bolstered its already impressive ranks with the recruitment of top lawyer Peter Wiese, who will guide it through continuing legal disputes with Hancock Prospecting.

Mr Wiese will join Wright as group general counsel after a 45-year career with Clayton Utz.

He joined the firm as an articled clerk in 1972 when it was known as Robinson Cox, was made a partner in 1976, and for many years has been considered one of Perth’s top corporate and resources lawyers.

Wright Prospecting is owned by the descendants of Peter Wright, who played a key role with business partner Lang Hancock opening up the Pilbara iron ore industry.

The company’s board of directors includes former Macquarie Capital executive Michael Ashforth and business adviser David McMahon, who represent the interests of Mr Wright’s daughter Angela Bennett.

It also includes former Clifford Chance partner Ian Cochrane and former Emeco Holdings boss Keith Gordon, who represent the children of Mr Wright’s late son, Michael.

Wright Prospecting’s main source of income is iron ore royalties, which stem from a 1962 deal struck by Peter Wright and Lang Hancock with Rio Tinto subsidiary Hamersley Iron.

Their descendants have subsequently engaged in multiple legal battles over their entitlements.

The main case currently under way in the Supreme Court of NSW concerns tenements known as Hope Downs, where Rio Tinto and Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting have developed two iron ore projects.

Wright claims it should receive a share of royalties in respect of Hope Downs 1.

It also claims an ownership interest in Hope Downs 4.

This matter has been caught up with a related matter concerning a dispute between Mrs Rinehart and two of her children, over the ownership of Hancock Prospecting.

Mr Wiese replaces Tanya Heaslip, who is returning to the Northern Territory after six years in the role.