CLARS advisory board chair Justice Lisa Nichols appointed to the Court of Appeal

The Centre for Commercial Law and Regulatory Studies (CLARS) warmly congratulates the Hon Justice Lisa Nichols, chair of the CLARS Advisory Board, on her appointment to the Court of Appeal of Victoria, effective 29 September 2026.

Justice Nichols was appointed to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2019, serving in the Commercial Court, after an almost 30-year legal career where she acted in the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, Bushfires Royal Commission, and Victorian Mental Health Royal Commission. Her outstanding legal career spanned nearly three decades, during which she established herself as a leading figure in class action law and commercial litigation.

On her appointment to the Supreme Court of Victoria, the court website highlighted that Justice Nichols brings extensive experience in commercial law, regulatory matters including competition and consumer law, and professional liability to the Court.

Before joining the Court, Justice Nichols led ground-breaking cases and conducted significant class actions in which foundational principles were developed at a time when class-action jurisprudence was in its early stages in Australia.

Justice Nichols was appointed Senior Counsel (Silk) in 2017. Throughout her career, she made significant contributions to landmark public inquiries, taking leading roles in the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Justice Nichols is an alumna of the Monash University Faculty of Law and the Supreme Court Prize winner of her graduating class.

In addition to her judicial duties, Justice Nichols has provided invaluable strategic guidance to CLARS as the chair of the Advisory Board, helping foster commercial law research and engagement between academia, the legal profession, and the judiciary.

The CLARS Advisory Board brings together a wealth of business and legal experience and serves as a strategic advisory body to the Centre for Commercial Law and Regulatory Studies, offering high-level guidance and expertise.

The Advisory Board plays a critical role in shaping the Centre’s direction through informed advice, industry insights, and professional networks.