James Haddock is a leading family law barrister in Canberra practising from Blackburn Chambers. He has a diverse legal practice, with a particular focus on complex parenting and property disputes, family violence, and cases involving risk to children.

James is recognised for his expertise in matters involving allegations of physical, sexual, or psychological harm to children, as well as disputes involving equitable trust structures and high-value property settlements.

With a Master of Laws (Government and Commercial Law) from the Australian National University, James brings a deep understanding of how commercial and corporate law intersect with family law financial disputes, particularly in business-owning or high-net-worth family separations.

James regularly appears as counsel in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Children’s Court, and the Supreme Court of the ACT. He has extensive appellate advocacy experience, appearing in appeal matters across Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wagga, Wollongong, and Albury, and is often briefed in interstate family law cases.

Before joining the Bar, James was In-House Counsel and Head of Practice for Legal Aid ACT’s Family Law division. He was also an Accredited Specialist in Family Law (NSW Law Society) and a trained Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) — experience that gives him a unique insight into children’s matters, care and protection proceedings, and Family Violence Orders.

James accepts briefs from Independent Children’s Lawyers and works collaboratively with solicitors and clients to achieve the best possible outcomes in complex and sensitive disputes.

He is deeply involved in the ACT’s legal community as a long-standing Committee Member and Past President of the Canberra Region Family Law Professionals Association, and a member of the ACT Bar Association’s Family Law Committee and the Practice Committee. James frequently presents Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions for the ACT Law Society and other professional bodies.

From 2018 to 2026, James has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as one of the Leading and Preeminent Family Law Barristers in the ACT, reflecting his skill, advocacy, and professional excellence.

As a trained mediator and AIFLAM-accredited family law arbitrator, James helps parties resolve family law disputes efficiently through mediation and arbitration, offering practical, fair, and durable outcomes.

James also co-hosts the “Observations on Brief: A Legal Podcast” with Brodie Buckland and Sage Leslie, where they discuss emerging issues in family law, appellate advocacy, and legal practice in Australia.

Outside the courtroom, James remains unapologetically dedicated to his work — he believes work is life, has no interest in golf, and admits to an unhealthy fondness for peanut M&Ms and Twix bars.

Called to the Bar
2018

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Phone

02 6247 7881

Email

haddock@blackburnchambers.com.au

Practice areas

Appellate
Criminal law
Domestic violence
Family law
Wills and Estates