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Experience

Charles accepts commercial law briefs in all courts, primarily in industrial relations, commercial disputes and taxation. 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 Health Services Union (No 1) v Mercy Hospitals Victoria (led by S Wood AM KC);
• The plaintiff in Victoria International Container Terminal v CFMMEU (led by S Wood AM KC);
• Various respondents to general protections/adverse action and coercion claims in the Federal Circuit Court;
• Various respondents to underpayment claims in the Federal Circuit Court, Victorian State Courts, and the South Australian Employment Tribunal;
• A law firm partnership, defending claims by a former partner (led by S Wood AM KC);
• Applicants and respondents in unfair dismissal, unlawful termination, and general protections proceedings in the Fair Work Commission;
• Respondents to discrimination claims made under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic);
• An applicant before the before the Victorian Police Registration and Services Board (under s146 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

• 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

• 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;
• Parties in various construction disputes (led and unled); 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.