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Event description
Hosted by the Centre for International and Public Law at the ANU Law School.
International law plays a vital role in Australia's legal system, shaping questions ranging from constitutional interpretation and the exercise of executive power to human rights, sovereignty and Australia's engagement with the international community. Since Federation, the High Court of Australia has played a significant role in determining how international law interacts with Australian domestic law, while also contributing to the development and understanding of international legal principles.
Join us for a seminar exploring these important questions through the lens of a new book by Christopher Ward SC, International Law before the High Court.
The seminar will also feature commentary from Jesse Clarke, General Counsel of the Office of International Law, Attorney-General's Department, and Sarah McCosker of Lexbridge Lawyers, bringing valuable perspectives from government and private practice.
This event will be of particular interest to academics, legal practitioners and students interested in international law, constitutional law, public law and the relationship between Australia's domestic and international legal obligations.
Speakers
Dr Christopher Ward SC
Dr Christopher Ward SC is a Senior Counsel at the New South Wales Bar working domestically and internationally in public international law, international arbitration and public and constitutional law. He is Head of Chambers at 6 St James Hall Chambers and an Associate Member of 3 Verulam Buildings Barristers in Gray's Inn. He is Vice-Chair of the International Law Association, Honorary Professor at the Australian National University and an Associate Fellow of the International Law Program at Chatham House. He writes extensively on international law, is the Editor of the ILA Forum and is the author of International Law and the High Court of Australia (Melrose Legal Publishers, The Hague, 2026).
Jesse Clarke
Jesse Clarke is General Counsel in the Office of International Law, International and Public Law Division in the Attorney-General’s Department where he is responsible for the conduct of Australia’s participation in international disputes. Currently, Jesse is Australia’s Agent in proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning Russia’s responsibility for downing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, and for Australia’s intervention in the case concerning Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation). He leads Australia’s defence of the investor-State claims brought by Zeph Investments, a Singaporean company ultimately owned and controlled by Mr Clive Palmer, and by the Landbridge Group concerning the Government’s commitment to return the Port of Darwin to Australian hands. Jesse was also Australia’s Representative in the advisory opinion proceedings concerning climate change (before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the ICJ) and regarding the protection of the right to strike (before the ICJ).
Dr Sarah McCosker
Dr Sarah McCosker is a Partner and co-founder of Lexbridge Lawyers, the first and only specialist international law firm in the Asia-Pacific region. She has worked as an international lawyer for over 25 years, with her principal fields of experience being international humanitarian law, international human rights law, negotiation of intergovernmental instruments, and the relationships between international law and diplomacy. Sarah’s experience as a practitioner traverses multiple sectors—including working as a legal adviser for Governments, international organisations, the private sector and civil society. Her work includes a significant focus on training and capacity-building, supporting jurisdictions across the Asia-Pacific region with domestic implementation of international law. Among her previous roles, Sarah has worked as a legal adviser for the International Committee of the Red Cross; the Office of International Law in the Australian Attorney-General’s Department; the Australian Department of Defence; the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Law Commission of England and Wales. Sarah qualified as a Barrister in 2002 and holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons I) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons I) from the University of Queensland. She also holds a Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy and Bachelor of Civil Laws from the University of Oxford, all specialising in international law. She is actively involved in the global international law community – including through her academic scholarship and pro bono work, for example serving on Australia’s National International Humanitarian Law Committee, the International Law Association’s Study Group on the Rule of Law in International Relations and the Advisory Board of the Oxford Reports on International Law.