Justin Gleeson SC is one of Australia’s most well known and
pre-eminent barristers.
Justin has close to 40 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) and the 10th Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia (2012-2016).
He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a Fellow of ACICA. Justin is also a member of the SIAC, HKIAC Panels of Arbitrators and Australian designated member of the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators and Conciliators.
He is in practice at the private bar, specialising in international law, international arbitration, constitutional law, and appellate law. He is available to appear as counsel or arbitrator in international matters, and in domestic matters as counsel in the High Court or intermediate appellate courts and otherwise as arbitrator or expert determiner.
INTERNATIONAL
As Solicitor-General, Justin Gleeson SC led the Australian legal team in proceedings in the International Court of Justice and in arbitrations in the Permanent Court of Arbitration. He advised extensively on public international law. He is available to advise and appear in matters of international law, across international courts, arbitral bodies and other tribunals and as such matters come up in domestic Australian proceedings.
AUSTRALIA
Justin Gleeson SC has appeared as leading Counsel in the High Court of Australia in over 110 appeals or original jurisdiction matters, either as Solicitor-General or at the private bar. This experience built upon an extensive trial practice, particularly in the areas of commercial and insurance law. He is available to appear as counsel in appeals to the High Court and intermediate appellate Courts.
ARBITRATION
Justin Gleeson SC is a Fellow of ACICA, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and has a Diploma in International Arbitration. He is a member of the SIAC, HKIAC Panels of Arbitrators and an Australian designated member of the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators and Conciliators. He has extensive experience in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in inter-state and investment arbitrations. He is available to appear as counsel or arbitrator in international arbitrations and as arbitrator domestically. He is also available to take on roles as an expert determiner or assessor.
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.