Justin Gleeson SC is one of Australia’s most well known and pre-eminent arbitrators and barristers.
Justin practises primarily as an independent arbitrator in international and domestic Australian disputes. He also appears in domestic Australian High Court and other appeal proceedings and advises generally.
Justin has over 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 has practised as a domestic and international arbitrator since 2017, with qualifications from CIArb and ACICA. He is a member of the SIAC, HKIAC and ACICA panels and an Australian designated member of the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators and Conciliators.
ARBITRATION
Justin Gleeson SC has extensive experience in international and domestic arbitration. He is qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators with a Diploma in International Arbitration. He is also a Fellow of ACICA, a member of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre Panel, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Panel and a member of the pool of arbitrators of the Australian Energy Regulator under the National Gas Rules. Justin is also an Australian designated member of the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators and Conciliators.
INTERNATIONAL
Justin Gleeson SC has broad experience across matters of public and private international law, in advising and appearing for numerous parties at the private bar and from his time as Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia between 2012-2106. He lead the Australian legal team in international proceedings in the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. He has also delivered a series of public addresses on the inter-relationship between public international law/dispute resolution and Australian Constitutional and Public Law.
AUSTRALIA
Justin Gleeson SC has appeared as leading Counsel in the High Court of Australia in over 135 appeals or original jurisdiction matters across most areas of law, including international or treaty based claims; Australian constitutional law; commercial law, taxation and intellectual property; aboriginal land rights; public, regulatory and competition law; criminal law; and tort, compensation and employment law. Justin also has extensive experience in appearing in the Federal Court of Australia and the State Supreme Courts, on appeal and formerly at trial.
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.