Biography

Rob acts for both Australian Government agencies and private sector corporate clients in public law and civil disputes. He acts in proceedings for and against regulators, and represents clients in Royal Commissions and parliamentary inquiries.

Rob advises on general public law and statutory interpretation, and acts in complex civil claims, civil penalty proceedings, judicial review and merits review proceedings, freedom of information and privacy law matters, and Royal Commission and parliamentary inquiry representation. He acts both for and against regulators in investigations and enforcement proceedings, and assists clients making submissions to parliamentary inquiries.

Rob acts in complex, large and sensitive civil claims for both government and corporate clients, including matters involving significant regulatory enforcement, constitutional questions and public interest. His practice spans the full spectrum of Commonwealth public law, from statutory interpretation advice through to major contested regulatory and civil penalty proceedings.

Rob advises on both sides of the public law divide, acting for government agencies exercising statutory powers and for private sector clients challenging or responding to government action. This dual perspective gives him practical insight into the decision-making standards government must meet and the grounds most likely to succeed in challenge proceedings. His focus on Commonwealth government work give him deep familiarity with the legislative and regulatory environment in which Commonwealth agencies operate.

Credentials

Academic qualifications:

• Bachelor of Laws with Honours
  
• Bachelor of Arts
  

Rob's experience

Royal Commission representation

Represents clients in Royal Commissions and public inquiries, advising on the scope of terms of reference, responding to compulsory notices, preparing witnesses and managing legal risk across the life of inquiries.

Civil penalty proceedings

Acts for and against regulators in investigations and civil penalty proceedings across corporations, disability and revenue sectors.

Judicial and merits review proceedings

Represents government bodies and private entities in judicial review and merits review proceedings in Federal and State courts and tribunals, on both sides.

Freedom of information and privacy

Assists clients with contentious freedom of information and privacy law matters, including government agencies on FOI obligations and private clients on access applications and third-party objection rights.

Parliamentary inquiries and submissions

Assists private and government clients appearing before and making submissions to parliamentary inquiries.