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Experience

Charles accepts industrial relations, employment and commercial law briefs in all Australian jurisdictions. He also advises state and federal Members of Parliament.

Prior to joining the Bar, Charles worked for the Commonwealth Attorney-General in Canberra and Perth.

Charles holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Western Australia, and a Master of Laws from the Australian National University. He read with Lisa Hespe SC (now Justice Hespe of the Federal Court).

Recently, Charles has advised or acted for:

Industrial Relations

• The respondent in Dalley v Deakin University, a claim brought under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic);
• The respondent in Health Services Union v Mercy Hospitals Victoria (led by S Wood AM KC);
• The respondent in Health Services Union v Mercy Hospitals Victoria (on appeal) (Led by S Wood AM KC)
• A transport firm bringing a restraint of trade claim (led by R Sweet KC);
• The respondent in Siddiqui v Mowbray Physiotherapy at first instance and on appeal to the Federal Court;
• A law firm partnership, defending claims by a former partner (led by S Wood AM KC);
• Various respondents to general protections/adverse action, coercion and underpayment claims in State and Federal Courts;
• Applicants and respondents in unfair dismissal, unlawful termination, general protections, costs, and flexible work applications in the Fair Work Commission;
• An applicant before the before the Victorian Police Registration and Services Board (under s146 of the Victoria Police Act 2013)
• A Middle Eastern state-affiliated law firm, on comparative industrial relations law in the Australian jurisdiction; and
• A national waste company transitioning to an enterprise bargaining agreement.

Administrative and Public Law

• The Tax Practitioners Board, in an application for a civil penalty against an unlicensed international tax agent (led by M Follett KC);
• A former Commonwealth Minister, responding to the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme;
• The Victorian Shadow Treasurer in Davis v Department of Transport, relating to disclosures around Melbourne’s Fishermans Bend project and the redevelopment of South Yarra Railway Station;
• A security firm against Victoria Police, dismissing a disciplinary inquiry relating to the 2019 Love Machine nightclub shooting.

Commercial Litigation

• A group of taxi licence holders in the Andrianakis v Uber Group Proceeding (Class Action);
• An arbitrator, a former Justice of the High Court, determining liability for a major resources claim;
• A plaintiff liquidator in the Federal Court, securing the arrest of a former director of the liquidated entity; and
• Parties to commercial disputes in courts and tribunals across several jurisdictions.

Charles was unled, except where specified.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.