Joshua Thomson SC

Admitted to the Bar 2001

Appointed Senior Counsel 2012

Experience

Joshua Thomson SC was the Solicitor-General of Western Australia for just over five years between 2018 and 2023. In his role as Solicitor-General, he personally advised the Premier and the Attorney General of Western Australia, was involved in reviewing draft legislation, and provided constitutional and other advice to Ministers and other State entities.

He acted for the State of Western Australia in the High Court of Australia on all cases of major importance for the State, including significant cases about section 92 and Chapter III of the Constitution. He appeared for the State in 20 cases in the High Court as Solicitor-General. The highlights included providing advice about and defending the decision by the State to close the borders of the State during the COVID-19 pandemic; and defending the decision by the State to enact the Iron Ore Processing (Mineralogy Pty Ltd) Agreement Amendment Act 2020. He also successfully appealed a decision by the Full Federal Court about native title and preserved the public right of access to all Australian beaches.

Prior to appointment as the Solicitor-General, his practice covered a wide range of areas, including contractual and insolvency disputes, building and construction matters, maritime law, regulatory competition law for pipelines, professional negligence and insurance law, administrative and constitutional law and native title claims. He conducted lengthy trials and complex appeals. He also provided strategic advice to major clients, such as international and national banks and receivers and managers, in several complicated receiverships.