Natalie Charlesworth is an Australian judge, sitting on the Federal Court of Australia.

Natalie Charlesworth
Judge of the Federal Court of Australia
Assumed office
1 March 2016
Personal details
Born1969 or 1970 (age 54–55)
Port Augusta, South Australia
EducationUniversity of South Australia
Australian National University
OccupationJudge, Lawyer

Early life and education edit

Charlesworth was born and raised in Port Augusta, South Australia.[1] Charlesworth moved to Adelaide to study at the University of South Australia earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism in 1991.[2] She spent a decade working as a journalist.[3] Charlesworth then earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. Charlesworth also holds a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from ANU.[2]

Career edit

Charlesworth started her career as an associate to the Hon. Justice John Mansfield AM QC of the Federal Court. She then worked for the South Australian Crown Solicitor's Office, as solicitor, and later senior solicitor. She became a senior associate with Kelly & Co Lawyers.[2] Charlesworth became a barrister in 2007 and was listed by Doyle's Guide as a leading employment law barrister in Adelaide in 2015,[4] and 2016.[5]

On 25 February 2016, George Brandis, the Attorney-General of Australia, announced Charlesworth's appointment to the Federal Court of Australia, effective 1 March 2016.[6][7] Charlesworth was appointed to the Adelaide registry, replacing the retiring Justice Mansfield.[7]

Federal Court rulings edit

In December 2016, Charlesworth ruled in favour of a French wine company Pernod Ricard, in its use of the term 'Signature' to market its higher end Jacob's Creek Barossa Valley Australian wines, finding the company did not infringe upon Australian winery Yalumba's trademark.[8][9]

Charlesworth presided over Radio Adelaide's lawsuit against ABC over ABC's attempt to re-brand one of its stations in November 2017.[10] Charlesworth granted an injunction in favour of Radio Adelaide.[11][12]

In 2019, 2021 and 2022 Charlesworth presided over several native title cases, granting title rights to the Nukunu and Barngarla peoples of the western Flinders Ranges area of South Australia. The border between the two groups of area around Port Augusta, which had been disputed for around 28 years, was settled by these decisions.[13][14]

Personal life edit

Charlesworth is the mother of three children.[15]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Five SA women explain what it means to make it to the top ahead of International Women's Day". The Advertiser. 6 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Biographies for appointees to the Federal Courts" (PDF). www.attorneygeneral.gov.au. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Copy of Speakers". www.lawsocietysa.asn.au. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Leading Employment Barristers – Adelaide". Doyle's Guide. 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Leading Employment & WHS Barristers – Adelaide". Doyle's Guide. 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  6. ^ "Appointments to the Federal Courts". attorneygeneral.gov.au. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  7. ^ a b Bullock, Lara (25 February 2016). "Federal judicial vacancies filled". Lawyers Weekly. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  8. ^ England, Cameron (26 January 2017). "Yalumba ends bottle battle". www.heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  9. ^ Samuel Smith & Son Pty Ltd v Pernod Ricard Winemakers Pty Ltd [2016] FCA 1515 (14 December 2016).
  10. ^ Washington, David (14 December 2016). "Radio Adelaide takes ABC fight to federal court - InDaily". InDaily. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  11. ^ Washington, David (9 January 2017). "891 ABC "celebrates" new name after legal defeat - InDaily". InDaily. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  12. ^ Educational Broadcasters Adelaide Incorporated v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2016] FCA 1502 (23 December 2016).
  13. ^ Roberts, Georgia; Aeria, Gillian (3 February 2022). "Nukunu people win native title fight after 28 years of struggle". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  14. ^ Roberts, Georgia; Gooch, Declan (24 September 2021). "Barngarla people granted native title over Port Augusta after 25-year fight". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  15. ^ Edwards, Verity (5 May 2011). "Law council to look at exodus of women". The Australian. Retrieved 9 November 2017.