Bernard Collaery

Bernard Collaery brings over four decades of legal experience to his role as Principal Partner, with a distinguished record of handling high-profile cases in medical malpractice and personal injury law. His work has encompassed multimillion-dollar claims related to hypoxic birth injuries and other significant medical misfortunes, as well as representing families and defendants in catastrophic events such as the Thredbo landslide, the Royal Canberra Hospital implosion, the Glenbrook rail accident, and various major incidents involving military and civilian personnel. Many of these cases have involved complex inquiries and inquests, where Bernard has appeared as Counsel. In addition to civil litigation, Bernard has an extensive background in criminal law, representing accused persons in Magistrates and Supreme Courts. His international legal work includes assisting in inquiries such as the inquest into the death of H.R.H. Diana, Princess of Wales, and the investigation of the 2005 RAF Hercules crash in Iraq. Throughout his career, Bernard has been committed to human rights advocacy, including founding the Immigration Reform Group in the 1980s and conducting a government review of refugee status determinations. He has represented West Papuan refugees and was an early advocate on behalf of Vietnamese boat people. Bernard has provided legal counsel to the East Timor Resistance over more than thirty years, working closely with resistance leaders and advising on international law during the United Nations administration period. He contributed to maritime boundary dispute matters at the International Court alongside leading international jurists. His ethical work has extended to supporting regional initiatives in North and South East Asia through the St James Ethics Centre. As Attorney-General of the Australian Capital Territory, Bernard established an independent law reform process and was instrumental in drafting the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT). He led significant legislative changes, including pioneering laws addressing child pornography possession, the legalisation of prostitution, reforms to will-making laws, and other key criminal law initiatives during the formative years of the ACT Legislative Assembly. Currently, Bernard serves as Patron and Honorary Solicitor of the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service and the Australian Bravery Association. He co-founded Job Solve, an employment service for individuals with brain injuries, and has provided pro bono legal advice to the National Brain Injury Foundation. Bernard’s dedication to the pursuit of justice was recognised by the Australian Lawyers Alliance with the 2018 Civil Justice Award, underscoring his lifelong commitment to clients and communities.