Christopher has a broad general civil law practice, with particular expertise in:
- Administrative law (judicial review and merits review)
- Employment and industrial law, anti-discrimination law and human rights
- Workplace investigations
- Privacy, freedom of information, confidentiality, public interest immunity, the law of privilege, and general civil procedure (such as dealing with subpoena and discovery)
- Disciplinary proceedings (professional, university, sports)
- Royal Commissions, public inquiries and coronial inquests
- Intentional torts (malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, assault/battery)
- Class actions
- Directors’ duties, and the law of associations (particularly for Not-for-Profit charitable organisations)
Christopher regularly advises, and appears for, Federal and State Government departments and agencies, the private sector, Universities and non-government organisations.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Christopher was a Senior Lawyer at the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS), representing a diverse array of Commonwealth departments and agencies in superior courts and tribunals. Prior to joining the AGS, Christopher was Senior Associate to the Hon John Faulks, Deputy Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia.
Christopher is the Co-Chair of the Victorian Bar’s LGTBIQ Working Group, and is a member of the Australian Bar Association's Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Christopher is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has extensive experience as a Board Director in the Not-for-Profit sector, including as a director with:
- Pride Community Legal Centre Ltd (Deputy Chair since 2021)
- Relationship Matters Counselling and Mediation (since 2021)
- Mental Health Victoria Ltd (2019 to present; Deputy Chair since 2021)
- Advocacy & Rights Centre Ltd (Loddon Campaspe and Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centres and Housing Justice) (2019 to 2021)
- Vice President of the Victorian AIDS Council / Gay Men’s Health Centre (trading as Thorne Harbour Health) (2013 to 2019)
Christopher read with Catherine Symons (now Judge Symons of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia). His senior mentor is Jenny Firkin QC.
From 5 May 2017, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation. The information referred to above has been supplied by the barrister concerned. Neither Victorian Bar Inc nor the barrister's clerk have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information and neither accepts any responsibility in that regard.
Contact
PH +61 3 +61 3 9225 7489
Email [email protected]
Chambers: Room 1602
Aickin Chambers
200 Queen Street
Melbourne 3000
Practice Areas
Appellate
Merit Appeals
Civil Appeals
Commercial Law
Sports
Civil Procedure Law
Property & Probate
Class Actions
Common Law
Class Actions
Intentional Torts
Judicial Review
Negligence
Criminal Law
Environmental Law & Planning Law
Animal Welfare
Civil Enforcement
Planning Offences
Equity & Trusts
Wills & Probate
Government
Local Government
Health & Medical
Aged Care
Mental Health
Prosecutions
Industrial Relations Law & Employment Law
Industrial Tribunals
Industrial Disputes
Employment Contracts
Discrimination
Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S)
Unfair Dismissal
Statutory Employment Rights
Restraint of Trade
Public Sector Appeals
Industry Regulations
Gaming Industry
Inquests, Inquiries, Tribunals & Commissions
Disciplinary Tribunals
Fair Work Commission
Military Tribunals
Royal Commissions
Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT)
Coronial Inquests
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
Negligence
Medical Negligence
Professional Negligence
Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S)
WorkSafe / Comcare
Property & Probate
Wills & Estates
Public Law & Administrative Law
Compliance & Investigations
Customs
Disciplinary Proceedings
Discrimination & Equal Opportunity
Extradition
Freedom of Information (FOI)
Health & Medical
Human Rights Law
Immigration
Industry Regulations
Information Privacy
Judicial Review
Liquor Licensing
Merits Review
Migration Law
Veterans' Entitlements
Sports
Racing Appeals
Liability of Medical Practitioners
Disciplinary Tribunals
Doping / Drugs in Sport
The Court of Arbitration for Sport
ADMISSIONS
Admitted to the Legal Profession:
04 Dec 2008
Signed Victorian Bar Roll:
04 May 2017
Qualifications
LLB (Hons), GDLP (Merit) (ANU); LLM (Melbourne); GAICD
Also Entitled to Practise in
All Australian States and Jurisdictions
Federal Courts
Committee Memberships
Indigenous Justice Committee
Industrial Bar Association