The Hon Stephen Carey George BURLEY

Judge, Federal Court of Australia: 23.05.2016
Location: Sydney

The Hon Justice Stephen Burley was appointed to the Federal Court of Australia on 23 May 2016.

His Honour graduated from the University of Sydney in Arts and Law and was admitted as a legal practitioner in 1987. He was subsequently awarded a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics and Political Science, in the United Kingdom. He was awarded an Associate in Music, Australia (AMusA) by the Australian Music Examinations Board in 1982.

Justice Burley practised at the Bar from 5 Wentworth Chambers, Sydney, from 1993 until 2016. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2007. Whilst at the Bar, his Honour practised in commercial law, specialising in patent, copyright, trade mark, designs and confidential information cases. He also appeared in cases involving trade practices, competition and consumer law, and administrative law. Many of his Honour’s patent cases involved pharmaceutical, telecommunications or other high technology subject matter.

At the Federal Court of Australia, Justice Burley is a National Practice Area Judge for intellectual property, he is the list judge for native title and is the chair of the International Cooperation Committee.

Associateship applications

Justice Burley’s chambers are staffed by two associates on an overlapping basis. Each associate generally remains for approximately 18 months. The next vacant positions will commence in September 2027 and March 2028.

Interested persons are invited to apply by 29 May 2026. Applications should take the form of a covering letter, brief résumé and university transcript.

Applications can be emailed to nswreg@fedcourt.gov.au marked to the attention of the Chambers of Justice Burley.