John Blackburn SC

John Blackburn SC


Francis Burt Chambers

Recognized since 2014

Perth, Australia

Practice Areas

Labour and Employment Law

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Labour and Employment Law
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John Blackburn SC is a leading workplace relations barrister.

John practises almost exclusively in industrial and employment matters. He regularly advises and appears in Federal and State courts and tribunals on matters ranging from large scale industrial disputes to executive employment litigation, adverse action and discrimination claims by individuals. He has appeared in many notable cases, both at first instance and appellate level, including in 2021 in the High Court's landmark CFMMEU v Personnel Contracting case on the distinction between employees and independent contractors.

John also acts as an arbitrator in industrial and employment disputes.

John has over 30 years’ experience in industrial and employment law – having worked as an industrial advocate and IR Manager at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA (CCI), employment lawyer at Minter Ellison and general counsel at CCI. He joined the Independent Bar in 2003 and was appointed senior counsel in 2015.

John has been recognised in Best Lawyers since 2014 and is consistently recognised in Doyles Guide as a “Leading” Senior Counsel in Labour and Employment Law in WA and is “Recommended” Australia-wide.

Location
  • Level 25, Allendale Square
    77 St. Georges Terrace
    P.O. Box C122
    Perth WA 6839
    Australia

Francis Burt Chambers

Perth, Australia

4 The Best Lawyers in Australia awards

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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Labour and Employment Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Labour and Employment Law, Perth, Australia (2023)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Australia 2025 for work in:
  • Labour and Employment Law
Awards:
    • The Best Lawyers in Australia: recognized for work in Labour and Employment Law since 2014
    • Doyles Guide: “Leading” Senior Counsel in Employment Law, WA 2017-2024; “Recommended” Australia-wide 2018-2020, 2022-2024; “Pre-eminent” Leading Employment Junior Counsel, WA 2015.

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