Leigh Howard
- Commercial Law Employment & Industrial
- Public Law
He is briefed nationally for industrial relations work and has experience in all types of applications under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). His work in this area is routinely recognised by Chambers and Partners, Doyle's Guide, the Legal 500 and the AFR's Best Lawyers.
His public and regulatory practice extends to consumer, financial services, occupational health and safety, environment, discrimination and human rights. He has particular experience in civil penalty proceedings and white collar crime, and has acted for and against Australia's most prominent regulators. He is known for his grasp on statutory construction, constitutional, judicial review and regulatory enforcement principles.
“Leigh is an extremely smart and pragmatic operator. He is involved in the leading cases across Australia working with some of the most experienced senior counsel. You have great trust and confidence putting Leigh before the most sophisticated clients to run their most sensitive and important matters.” – The Legal 500 Asia Pacific Guide, 2024.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under the Professional Standards Legislation
Contact
- P03 9225 7103
- M0422 133 796
- F03 9225 8668
- E[email protected]
- Connect on Linkedin
- Download VCard
Aickin Chambers
Level 21 Room 4
200 Queen Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Jane King
03 9225 8558
Expertise
- Consumer Credit
- Consumer Law
- Corporations & Securities
- Sports Law
- Superannuation
- Appellate
- Confidential Information
- Discrimination
- Employment Contracts
- Industrial Disputes
- Public Sector Appeals
- Restraint of Trade
- Statutory Employment Rights
- Work Health & Safety
- Workers Compensation
- Administrative Law
- Civil & Human Rights
- Constitutional Law
- Discrimination
- Judicial Review
Qualifications
Master of Laws
Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
Bachelor of International Relations
Advanced Diploma in Japanese
Victoria
State and Territory Courts and Tribunals
Federal Court of Australia
High Court of Australia
Recent Cases
- Infosys v Fox [2025] QCA 45 (long service leave, overseas employment, led by P Hanks KC)
- Australian Rail Track Corporation v RTBU & Ors (2024) 307 FCR 43; [2023] FWC 1636 (s 424 termination, workplace determination, led by F Parry KC and I Neil SC)
- Vision Australia v Elisha (2024) 99 ALJR 171 (psychiatric injury, breach of duty, breach of contract, led by P O'Grady KC and S Gladman SC)
- Re G4S Custodial Services [2024] FWC 3254 (s 424 suspension)
- CQZ21 v Kannan & Anor [2023] FedCFamC2G (slavery, underpayment, with S Cheligoy)
- CEPU v Austal Ships Pty Ltd (2023) 300 FCR 396 (right of entry, led by I Neil SC)
- Wipro Limited v State of NSW & Anor (2022) 110 NSWLR 520 (long service leave, overseas employment, led by Y Shariff SC)
- Regional Express Holdings Ltd v AFAP (2021) 290 FCR 239 (adverse action, coercion, threats, led by B Walker SC)
- Barber v Goodstart Early Learning (2021) 305 IR 38 (vaccination test case)
- Glover v Ozcare (2021) 306 IR 349 (vaccination test case)
- Re Department of Home Affairs [2019] FWCFB 143 (workplace determination arbitration, led by P O’Grady KC and S Meehan)
- Regional Express Holdings Ltd v AFAP (2017) 262 CLR 456 (standing, led by M Follett)
- Esso Australia v AWU (2016) 245 FCR 39 (unprotected industrial action, coercion (as instructing solicitor))
- Tax Practitioners Board v Dabalos (formerly Van Stroe) (No 3) [2025] FCA 223 (criminal contempt)
- EPA v Lactalis Australia [2025] VSC (general environmental duty, with S Cheligoy)
- Berih v Homes Victoria (No 3) [2025] VSC 30 (Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, public housing, led by K O’Gorman SC, with T Farhall and G Cafarella)
- Lesbian Action Group v Australian Human Rights Commission [2025] ARTA 34 (discrimination exemption, freedom of expression, freedom of association)
- Lee v La Trobe University [2024] VSC 472 (judicial review, academic judgment)
- Rehmat & Mehar Pty Ltd & Anor v Hortle [2023] HCA (s 109 inconsistency, led by J Bourke KC)
- ASIC v AMP Superannuation Ltd & Ors (2023) 168 ACSR 206 (unconscionable conduct, fees for no service, led by C Truong KC)
- ASIC v AMP Financial Planning & Ors (2022) 164 ACSR 64 (fees for no service, led by C Truong KC)
- Lendlease v ABCC (2022) 175 ALD 415 (implied freedom of political communication, constitutional facts, led by J Bourke KC and M Follett)
- Ashby v Commonwealth (2022) 402 ALR 208; (2021) 386 ALR 23; [2021] FCA 830 (PGPA Act, act of grace payment, jurisdictional error, delegation, led by J Davidson)
- Burgess v Director of Housing & Anor [2014] VSC 648 (Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, public housing (as instructing solicitor))
Publications
Employment Law Update - Restraints of trade, severance and costs: Tillman v Egon Zehnder Ltd [2019] UKSC 32
15 February 2017Public Law Update - Civil penalties, inferences and loss: ACCC v Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Ltd [2016] FCAFC 181
01 November 2016Commercial Law Update - Unfair contract terms & small business contracts: 5 things to keep in mind
10 September 2016Employment Law Update - Adverse Action and Ignorance of the Law: Qube Ports v McMaster
Memberships
Australian Labour Lawyers Association
Australian Association of Constitutional Law
Australian Institute of Administrative Law