Silk 2000
Call 1989
Email clerk@banco.net.au
Phone +61 2 8239 0208
PDF
CV
Justin has had over 35 years legal experience, as solicitor (1985 - 1988), counsel (1989 onwards), and Senior Counsel (2000 onwards). He was the founding head of Banco Chambers, Sydney (2005 - 2012). Most recently, he was the tenth Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia (2012 - 2016). He is widely acknowledged as one of Australia’s most preeminent barristers.
He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a prolific legal author.
He specialises in international law, international arbitration, constitutional law, and appellate law. He is available to appear as counsel, act as advisor, or sit as arbitrator or expert determiner, in both domestic and international matters.
The Legal 500 Guide 2023 - Tier 1 Leading Silk, Commercial Disputes
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2023 – Star Individual, Dispute Resolution - Justin is "One of the finest barristers at the Australian Bar. He's extremely intelligent and always comes up with new points. He will always find something novel in the matter and has the strength of mind to run it." Justin is regarded as a "go-to silk" for many matters, with one peer commenting: 'he has been in the High Court more times than anyone. He's terrifying to be against'.
Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2022 – Band 1, Dispute Resolution - "Justin continues to be identified by interviewees as being 'without doubt in the top echelons of the senior counsel ranks in Australia,' one calling him 'perhaps the best silk I've ever worked with - supremely talented on his feet and meticulous in preparation,' while another remarks: 'I've never seen a Bench that doesn't give enormous weight to everything he says.' His breadth of practice also wins him plaudits, not only for high-profile commercial work, where he is often instructed on appellate cases, but also in the spheres of insolvency, employment and international arbitration.
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