Jack Maxwell

Before coming to the Bar, Jack was a solicitor at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, where he practised in administrative law, constitutional law, and planning and environment law. Jack was also a Research Fellow at the Public Law Project, a UK legal non-profit, where he led a project on the use of artificial intelligence in government decision-making.

Jack has published widely in law journals and online publications. He has also co-authored a book on public law and emerging technologies, Experiments in Automating Immigration Systems.

Jack has a Bachelor of Civil Law with distinction from the University of Oxford. He also has a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours from the University of Melbourne.

Jack read with Frances Gordon KC.

Some of Jack’s recent cases are listed below:

High Court

• AB v Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission [2024] HCA 10 – judicial review, procedural fairness – led by Peter Hanks KC and Frances Gordon KC, for IBAC

Supreme Court and Court of Appeal

• Berih v State of Victoria (ongoing) – class action, judicial review, Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, redevelopment of Melbourne’s public housing towers – led by Liam Brown SC, with Edwina Smith, for the State
• Whyman v State of Victoria (ongoing) – negligence, misfeasance in public office, false imprisonment, breach of fiduciary duty, Stolen Generations – led by Ron Merkel KC, with Rachel Amamoo, for the plaintiff
• Woodman v State of Victoria and Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (ongoing) – negligence, breach of statutory duty, unreasonableness, denial of procedural fairness, decision to conduct a public examination – led by Peter Hanks KC and then Emrys Nekvapil SC, for IBAC
• Marrogi v Secretary, Department of Justice and Community Safety (ongoing) – judicial review, prisons, Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities – led by Liam Brown SC, for the defendants
• INP v Secretary to the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (reserved) – appeal, child protection, Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities – led by Alistair Pound SC, Solicitor-General for Victoria, for the Attorney-General for Victoria (intervening)
• Albyn Queensland Pty Ltd v Australian Postal Corporation [2024] VSC 584 – appeal, civil claim, Burns v Corbett jurisdictional limit, judicial power – led by Frances Gordon KC, for Australia Post
• Sharlin Pty Ltd v Cardinia Shire Council (resolved) – breach of contract, planning, rezoning – led by Barnaby Chessell, for the Council
• AB v Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission [2022] VSCA 283 – judicial review, procedural fairness – led by Peter Hanks KC and Frances Gordon SC, for IBAC
• HJ v Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission [2022] VSCA 282 – constitutional law, s 109, Melbourne Corporation doctrine – led by Peter Hanks KC, for IBAC
• Woodman v Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission [2022] VSC 684 – judicial review, procedural fairness – led by Frances Gordon SC, for IBAC
• Ginnane v Australian Football League (Victoria) Limited (ACN 147 664 579) (application dismissed) – judicial review, breach of contract, domestic tribunal – led by Ben Ihle KC, for the AFL
• Pakenham Place Shopping Centre JV Pty Ltd v Minister for Planning and Minister for Health (resolved) – judicial review, planning scheme amendment – led by Stuart Morris KC, with Roshan Chaile, for the plaintiff

Federal Court

• Abramov v Minister for Foreign Affairs (No 2) [2023] FCA 1199 – judicial review, sanctions, War in Ukraine – led by Ron Merkel KC, with Shawn Rajanayagam, for the applicant
• X v Chief Commissioner of Police (resolved) – judicial review, permission to leave Australia – led by Liam Brown, Crown Counsel for Victoria, for the Chief Commissioner of Police.

County Court

• Jack regularly appears in applications under the Serious Offenders Act 2018 (Vic).

VCAT

• Jack is frequently briefed in proceedings in VCAT, including planning matters and proceedings under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (Vic).

*Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation