Employment and Industrial Law NPA Seminar Series

The Federal Court's Industrial Jurisdiction
(then and now);

The Waterfront Dispute and beyond

The Federal Court of Australia is pleased to invite practitioners to the Employment and Industrial Relations National Practice Area Seminar.

The seminar will bring together former and current judges of the Federal Court to reflect on the development of the Court’s industrial jurisdiction and significant events that have shaped its work. The program will commence with opening remarks by Justice Darryl Rangiah and conclude with closing remarks by Justice Elizabeth Raper.

First, former Federal Court judge the Hon Christopher Jessup KC will provide a historical account of the Federal Court’s industrial jurisdiction, tracing its development from the commencement of the Court to the present day.

Building on Dr Jessup’s presentation, former Federal Court judge the Hon Tony North KC will join Justice Craig Dowling for an in-conversation discussion exploring themes and issues arising from the Waterfront Dispute and how they have shaped the Court and its industrial jurisdiction.

Speakers

The Hon Christopher Jessup KC
The Hon Christopher Jessup KC served as a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia from 2006 to 2017. Dr Jessup commenced practice as a barrister at the Victorian Bar in 1975, specialising in employment and industrial law, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1987.

Following his retirement from the Federal Court, Dr Jessup returned to practice as a barrister and served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Monash University from 2017 to 2020. In February 2021, he was appointed Australia’s Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, completing his term in 2026.

Dr Jessup holds a PhD from the University of London and a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Monash University.

The Hon Tony North KC
The Hon Tony North KC served as a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia from 1995 to 2018 and as a Judge of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory.

Mr North commenced practice as a barrister at the Victorian Bar in 1976 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1989. He also served as Defence Force Advocate from 1993 to 1995.

Following his retirement from judicial office, Mr North was appointed Chair of the Victorian Law Reform Commission. He took leave from this role in 2024 to serve as a Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission until March 2025.

Mr North holds a Master of Laws from the University of London and a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne.