The Hon Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC FAA FAAL

The Honourable Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC FAA FAAL represents one of Australia's most distinctive and accomplished public figures, a woman whose career has spanned the frontiers of molecular biology, the highest echelons of Australia's judiciary, and the most consequential questions facing the nation. Her journey from laboratory bench to Federal Court bench, and from there to chairing some of Australia's most critical national institutions, reflects not merely professional versatility but an extraordinary intellectual capacity to master complex domains and apply rigorous thinking to the most challenging problems confronting contemporary Australia.

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Dr Bennett's career defies conventional categorisation. She is both a scientist and a jurist, both a technical expert and a policy leader, both an advocate and an adjudicator. She holds doctoral qualifications in both science (PhD in Cell Biology) and law (and Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from four universities), and is one of the very few Australians to be elected Fellow of both the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Law, a distinction that speaks to her dual mastery of disciplines that rarely intersect at such rarefied levels. As a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), she holds Australia's highest civilian honour, awarded in recognition of eminent achievement and merit of the highest degree in service to Australia and humanity.

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What makes Dr Bennett's career truly exceptional is the consistent application of scientific rigour and legal precision to matters of profound national importance. Whether chairing the National Health and Medical Research Council during critical periods of health policy development, leading the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) through complex technological and safety challenges, serving as Royal Commissioner investigating Australia's catastrophic bushfires, or currently chairing the Reef 2050 Advisory Committee tasked with protecting the Great Barrier Reef, Dr Bennett has repeatedly been entrusted with stewardship of Australia's most precious resources and most difficult challenges.

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EARLY LIFE AND SCIENTIFIC FORMATION

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Born and educated in Sydney, Annabelle Bennett's intellectual promise was evident from her earliest years. She attended Wenona Girls School, where she was Dux, a harbinger of the academic distinction that would characterise her entire career. Her choice to pursue science at the University of Sydney reflected both the opportunities opening to women in the sciences during the 1960s and her own keen analytical mind.

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Dr Bennett earned her Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Sydney, focusing on cellular biology at a time when the field was experiencing revolutionary advances in understanding cellular mechanisms. Her honours thesis, "Mitochondrial Populations in Chick Embryo Liver," demonstrated sophisticated experimental technique and analytical capability. More significantly, it led directly to her doctoral research—an intensive investigation into "Some Aspects of the Nature and Role of Phospholipids in Spermatozoa," which would result in nineteen scientific publications, a remarkable output that established her as a serious researcher with significant contributions to reproductive biology and cellular biochemistry.

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The significance of Dr Bennett's scientific training cannot be overstated when understanding her subsequent career. Her doctorate required mastery of experimental design, statistical analysis, hypothesis testing, and the rigorous standards of proof that characterise peer-reviewed science. These habits of mind, the insistence on evidence, the capacity to analyse complex systems, the patience to work through intricate problems methodically, would prove invaluable throughout her legal and judicial career, particularly in intellectual property matters where understanding scientific and technical subject matter is essential.

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The decision to transition from laboratory science to law might seem unusual, but for Dr Bennett, it represented a logical extension of her analytical capabilities into a domain where scientific understanding could be applied to questions of innovation, patent protection, and the legal frameworks governing technological advancement. The timing was fortuitous: Australia's legal system was grappling with increasingly complex questions about biotechnology, pharmaceutical patents, and the intersection of scientific research with commercial application.

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LEGAL TRAINING AND RISE TO SENIOR COUNSEL​

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Dr Bennett earned her Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales, bringing to her legal studies an unusual combination of scientific literacy and research experience. She was admitted to practice in 1980 and began what would become a distinguished career, and developing as a barrister specialising in intellectual property law, a field perfectly suited to someone with both scientific training and legal acumen.

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Intellectual property law in the 1980s and 1990s was evolving rapidly as Australia's economy became increasingly knowledge-based and technology-driven. Patent disputes involved sophisticated scientific questions about pharmaceutical compounds, biotechnology innovations, computer software, standard essential patents and engineering designs. Copyright matters are engaged with evolving technologies and media forms. Trademark law intersects with branding, marketing, and consumer behaviour. Dr Bennett's scientific background gave her an immediate advantage in understanding the technical subject matter of disputes, while her legal training provided the frameworks for analysing rights, remedies, and competing claims.

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Her practice flourished. She developed expertise across the full spectrum of intellectual property matters, patents, trade marks, copyright, designs, confidential information, and trade practices. Her ability to grasp complex technical subject matter quickly, to explain it clearly to judges and juries, and to construct rigorous legal arguments made her highly sought after by major corporations, research institutions, and innovators seeking to protect their intellectual property or defend against infringement claims.

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Recognition came swiftly. In 1994, Dr Bennett was appointed Senior Counsel (SC), one of the highest distinctions in the Australian legal profession, reserved for barristers who have demonstrated exceptional skill, learning, and professional integrity. She was among a relatively small number of women who had achieved this distinction at that time, and the only one with a scientific doctorate as well. Her appointment as SC reflected not only her technical mastery but also her reputation for ethical practice and professional excellence.

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Beyond her practice, Dr Bennett contributed to legal reform and policy development. She served as principal consultant to the NSW Law Reform Commission on the artificial conception reference, a sensitive matter requiring both scientific understanding of reproductive technologies and careful legal analysis of rights, responsibilities, and ethical considerations. She was an Advisory Committee Member for the Australian Law Reform Commission's reference on gene patenting and human health, bringing her unique combination of scientific expertise and legal acumen to questions about whether and how genetic material should be patent-protected.

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JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT AND FEDERAL COURT SERVICE
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In 2003, Dr Bennett was appointed a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia, a position she held with distinction until her retirement in 2016. The Federal Court hears matters involving federal law, including taxation, corporations, trade practices, intellectual property, administrative law, and human rights. Dr Bennett's appointment brought to the bench not only her expertise in intellectual property law but also her scientific training and her commitment to clear reasoning and evidence-based decision-making.

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During her thirteen years on the Federal Court, Dr Bennett presided over numerous complex and significant matters. Her intellectual property expertise made her the natural choice to hear the most technically challenging patent disputes, including pharmaceutical patent cases involving sophisticated questions of chemistry and molecular biology, software patent matters requiring an understanding of computer science and algorithms, engineering patent disputes requiring comprehension of mechanical and electrical systems and disputes involving telecommunications and standard essential patents.

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But Dr Bennett's judicial contribution extended far beyond intellectual property. She heard matters involving corporations law, taxation, administrative law, and competition law. Her judgments were characterised by thorough analysis, clear reasoning, and careful attention to precedent while remaining alive to the need for law to evolve with changing circumstances. She wrote with clarity and precision, avoiding unnecessary jargon while maintaining legal rigour.

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Dr Bennett also served as an Additional Judge of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory, President of the Copyright Tribunal of Australia, and a Presidential Member (part-time) of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. These concurrent roles reflected both the confidence placed in her abilities and her exceptional capacity to manage multiple demanding responsibilities.

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Her judicial work extended internationally. She served as inaugural Chair of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Advisory Group of Judges, a role that involved convening judges from around the world to discuss emerging challenges in intellectual property law and to promote best practices in judicial decision-making. This international dimension to her work reflected her growing reputation as a thought leader in intellectual property jurisprudence.

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Throughout her judicial career, Dr Bennett maintained the highest standards of impartiality, integrity, and judicial temperament. Her courtroom was known for rigorous but fair proceedings where all parties received careful attention and where technical matters were explored with thoroughness and patience. Her judgments have been widely cited and have made significant contributions to Australian intellectual property law and administrative law.

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LEADERSHIP IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH 

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Parallel to her legal and judicial career, Dr Bennett has maintained deep engagement with Australia's scientific and research communities. This engagement reflects not merely her scientific training but her conviction that science, technology, and innovation are fundamental to Australia's prosperity, security, and capacity to address major challenges.

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One of her most significant leadership roles was as Chair of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) from 2010 to 2013. The NHMRC is Australia's peak body for supporting health and medical research, developing health advice, and translating research into improved health outcomes. As Chair, Dr Bennett oversaw the distribution of hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding, working with Australia's leading medical researchers, clinicians, and health policy experts to identify research priorities and ensure that public investment in health research produced maximum benefit.

Her chairmanship of NHMRC occurred during a period of rapid advances in genomic medicine, personalised therapies, and preventive health strategies. Dr Bennett brought to the role not only her scientific background but also her legal understanding of issues such as research ethics, data privacy, consent processes, and the translation of research findings into clinical practice and public health policy. She understood both the immense promise of health research and the complex ethical, legal, and social questions it raised.

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From 2016 to 2019 Dr Bennett was a member of the Questacon Advisory Board, following this she Dr Bennett became Chair of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) from 2019 to 2024, a tenure leading one of Australia's most important scientific and technological institutions. ANSTO operates Australia's only nuclear reactor, produces radiopharmaceuticals for medical diagnosis and treatment, conducts fundamental research using neutron scattering and other advanced techniques, and manages radioactive waste safely.

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As ANSTO Chair, Dr Bennett presided over significant developments, including the production of critical medical isotopes used in millions of diagnostic procedures annually, groundbreaking materials science research, and the complex challenge of managing nuclear materials with absolute safety and security. The role required scientific literacy, understanding of nuclear technology and safety protocols, the capacity to work with regulators and government, and the skill to engage with communities concerned about nuclear technology. Dr Bennett's leadership saw ANSTO maintain its international reputation for scientific excellence and safety while expanding its contributions to Australian healthcare and research.

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Dr Bennett also served, for nine years, as a Director of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, one of Australia's premier medical research institutes. Garvan's work spans genomics, cancer biology, immunology, neuroscience, and metabolic diseases. Her governance contribution helps ensure that Garvan maintains scientific excellence while translating research discoveries into clinical benefits for patients.

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Her past scientific and research governance roles have been equally distinguished. She served as a Member of the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee, providing oversight of genetic engineering research; as a Member of the Biotechnology Consultative Group (BIOCOG) advising the Commonwealth Government; as a Member of the Vaccine Working Group of the Australian National Council on AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases during the critical period of HIV/AIDS research and vaccine development; and as Director of the Management Committee of Westmead Research Institute.

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This sustained engagement with science and research throughout her career reflects Dr Bennett's conviction that Australia's future depends on scientific excellence, research translation, and the effective governance of scientific institutions.

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ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP: THE GREAT BARRIER REEF​

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Perhaps no role better exemplifies Dr Bennett's capacity to bring rigorous analysis to complex national challenges than her current position as Chair of the Reef 2050 Advisory Committee. The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia's, and the world's, most precious natural assets. It faces existential threats from climate change, water quality degradation, coastal development, and other pressures. The Reef 2050 Plan represents the Australian Government's long-term sustainability plan for this irreplaceable ecosystem.

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As Chair of the Reef 2050 Advisory Committee, Dr Bennett leads the independent stakeholder body that provides advice on implementing the Reef 2050 Plan, monitors progress, and reports on the health of the Reef. The role requires synthesising complex scientific evidence about coral health, climate impacts, water quality, and ecosystem resilience; engaging with diverse stakeholders, including Traditional Owners, tourism operators, farmers, conservationists, and government agencies; and providing clear, evidence-based advice to Ministers and the public about what is working and what further action is needed.

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Dr Bennett brings to this role her scientific training and her capacity to read and evaluate complex research, her legal understanding of regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, her experience chairing major national institutions, and her proven ability to work across government, industry, and civil society. The challenge of protecting the Reef while supporting the industries and communities that depend on it requires exactly the kind of balanced, evidence-based judgment that has characterised her career.

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The Reef 2050 Advisory Committee's work is critical for ensuring accountability, transparency, and continued focus on Reef protection in the face of competing priorities and political pressures. Dr Bennett's leadership ensures that the advice provided is scientifically robust, practically feasible, and clearly communicated.

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She also served as a director of Centennial Parklands, a major open space to the benefit of Sydney.

 

ROYAL COMMISSION ON NATURAL DISASTERS: THE BUSHFIRE CRISIS

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In 2020, Dr Bennett was appointed Commissioner on the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (the Bushfire Royal Commission), alongside Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC (Chair) and Professor Andrew Macintosh. This appointment came in response to the catastrophic 2019-2020 bushfire season—Australia's worst on record—which killed 33 people, destroyed thousands of homes, devastated ecosystems, and focused national attention on Australia's preparedness for natural disasters in an era of climate change.

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The Royal Commission's mandate was to examine coordination of Commonwealth, state, and territory efforts; the responsibilities of different levels of government; Australia's preparedness and resilience; and the use of Commonwealth resources, including Defence Force capabilities. The Commissioners heard from hundreds of witnesses, reviewed thousands of submissions, and travelled to affected communities to understand firsthand the impacts of the fires and the challenges facing emergency services and communities.

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Dr Bennett's contribution to the Royal Commission reflected her characteristic thoroughness, analytical rigour, and commitment to evidence-based findings. The Commission's October 2020 report made 80 recommendations addressing emergency warning systems, evacuation planning, coordination mechanisms, climate change adaptation, land management, and the deployment of Australian Defence Force assets in disaster response.

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The Royal Commission's work required Dr Bennett to master yet another complex domain—emergency management, disaster response, climate science, Commonwealth-state relations, and community resilience. Her scientific background enabled her to understand climate projections and fire behaviour modelling. Her legal training helped in analysing the constitutional framework for Commonwealth involvement and the legal authorities available to different levels of government. Her governance experience informed recommendations about institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms.

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The Bushfire Royal Commission stands as one of the most significant inquiries in recent Australian history, and its recommendations continue to shape Australia's approach to natural disaster preparedness and response. Dr Bennett's contribution to this vital national task demonstrates her capacity to rapidly acquire expertise in new domains and to apply rigorous thinking to matters of profound national importance.

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INFRASTRUCTURE, ARBITRATION AND COMMERCIAL GOVERNANCE
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Dr Bennett currently serves as Chair of Gardior Pty Limited, which acts as Trustee of The Infrastructure Fund (TIF). This role places her at the heart of infrastructure investment and governance—overseeing investments in critical infrastructure assets including transportation, energy and ports. Infrastructure investment requires balancing long-term public interest with commercial returns, assessing complex technical, regulatory, and financial risks, and ensuring rigorous governance of significant capital deployments.

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Another dimension of her career is in international arbitration and dispute resolution. Dr Bennett serves as an Arbitrator of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the world's supreme court for sports disputes. She chairs the International Cricket Council Disputes Committee, adjudicating disputes in international cricket. These roles place her at the intersection of international law, sports governance, contractual interpretation, and fair hearing principles.

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Dr Bennett is also a Member of the WIPO Mediation and Arbitration List of Neutrals, available for appointment as arbitrator or mediator in international intellectual property disputes. She has served on the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Panel of Arbitrators, which hears disputes between investors and states under international investment treaties. She is on the Indicative List of Governmental and Non-governmental Panellists for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Disputes Settlement Process, potentially hearing trade disputes between WTO member states and has sat on a panel for such a dispute.

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This international arbitration work requires mastery of international law, arbitration procedure, complex commercial matters, and cross-cultural dispute resolution. Dr Bennett's reputation for fairness, analytical rigour, and clear decision-making makes her a sought-after arbitrator for high-stakes international disputes.

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She previously served as a Member of the Takeovers Panel, which regulates corporate control transactions in Australia, ensuring that the acquisition of significant shareholdings occurs in an efficient, competitive, and informed market. She was a Pool Member of the NBN Co Dispute Resolution Panel during the national broadband network rollout, to adjudicate disputes arising from this massive infrastructure project. These roles demonstrate her capacity to understand complex commercial transactions, assess corporate governance issues, and make time-sensitive decisions affecting significant economic interests.

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UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
 

Dr Bennett's experience in university governance is exceptional. She served as Chancellor of Bond University from 2016 until early 2024, an eight-year tenure during which she led Australia's premier private university. As Chancellor, she presided over graduations, represented the university externally, and provided governance oversight of university strategy, finances, academic quality, and institutional development.

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Bond University is known for its accelerated degree programs, small class sizes, and innovation in legal education and other professional programs. Dr Bennett's leadership helped Bond navigate challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on international student recruitment, rapidly evolving tertiary education policy, and increasing competition among Australian universities. Her legal expertise, business acumen, and understanding of professional education made her particularly well-suited to lead Bond.

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Prior to her Bond chancellorship, Dr Bennett served as Pro-Chancellor of the Australian National University (ANU), one of Australia's leading research universities. As Pro-Chancellor, she served as the Chancellor's deputy and played a key governance role at an institution known for its research excellence, prestigious faculty, and significant role in public policy formation. Her ANU role reflected the university's confidence in her judgment and governance capabilities.

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Dr Bennett has also served on advisory boards for medical schools at both the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales, bringing her scientific background, health research governance experience (from NHMRC), and broader strategic perspective to medical education and research strategy. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Law School of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, contributing to legal education in one of Asia's major financial and legal centres.

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These university roles reflect Dr Bennett's conviction that higher education is fundamental to Australia's future, her commitment to supporting academic excellence and institutional integrity, and her capacity to contribute meaningfully to university governance at the highest levels.

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PARLIAMENTARY INTEGRITY AND GOVERNANCE

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Dr Bennett currently serves as a Member of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) and was Acting Commissioner of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC). These roles involve oversight of parliamentary entitlements and expenses, sensitive matters that require balancing legitimate needs for parliamentarians to travel, communicate with constituents, and maintain offices against proper stewardship of public funds and public confidence in the integrity of parliamentary systems.

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The work requires careful judgment, understanding of parliamentary operations, respect for parliamentary privilege while maintaining appropriate accountability, and the capacity to make decisions that will inevitably face public scrutiny. Dr Bennett brings to these roles her judicial experience in weighing evidence and applying rules fairly, her understanding of governance and accountability principles, and her reputation for integrity.

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She previously served as a Member of the Review Board into the Integrity of the Australian Carbon Credit Unit System (the Chubb Review), examining the integrity of Australia's carbon credit system amid concerns that credits did not represent genuine emissions reductions. The review required scientific understanding of carbon measurement methodologies, legal analysis of regulatory frameworks, and economic understanding of carbon markets.

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Dr Bennett also served on the Panel of Inquiry into Religious Freedom (the Ruddock Panel), which examined whether Australian law adequately protects the human right to freedom of religion and made recommendations for legislative reform. This inquiry required sensitive engagement with diverse religious communities, careful legal analysis of discrimination law and constitutional protections, and balanced judgment about how to protect both religious freedom and other important rights, including gender equality and protection from discrimination.

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These governance and inquiry roles demonstrate consistent trust in Dr Bennett's capacity to address sensitive public policy matters with fairness, rigour, and sound judgment.

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LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

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Throughout her career, Dr Bennett has made sustained contributions to the legal profession beyond her practice and judicial service. She has served as President (part-time) of the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW, enforcing laws protecting people from discrimination based on sex, race, disability, age, and other attributes. This role required both legal expertise and sensitivity to the experiences of those facing discrimination.

She was a part-time Commissioner of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (now the Australian Human Rights Commission), contributing to human rights protection and promotion at the national level. These roles reflected her commitment to equality and fairness—values that have animated her entire career.

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Dr Bennett has served on the NSW Supreme Court Mediators Panel and the NSW Bar Association Mediators Panel, offering mediation services for complex commercial and legal disputes. Her judicial experience, combined with her interpersonal skills and capacity to understand parties' interests and concerns, makes her an effective mediator capable of helping parties resolve disputes without protracted litigation.

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She is a Member and past President of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences, contributing to the intersection of science and law in forensic contexts. She has served on various health sector bodies, including the Eastern Sydney Area Health Service Board, the Pharmacy Board of New South Wales, and the Pathology Laboratories Accreditation Board, bringing her scientific background and governance skills to health system oversight.

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Dr Bennett is Patron of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA) NSW State Committee, supporting Australia's arbitration infrastructure and international commercial dispute resolution capabilities.

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WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP AND MENTORSHIP

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Dr Bennett is a Member and past President of Chief Executive Women (CEW), Australia's premier organisation for women in senior leadership positions across business, government, and civil society. Her CEW involvement reflects her commitment to advancing women's leadership and her recognition that gender diversity in leadership is essential for organisational effectiveness and social progress.  She is also a member of the International Women’s Forum (Australia).

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Throughout her career, Dr Bennett has mentored countless women lawyers, scientists, and leaders. Her own trajectory, from scientific researcher to Senior Counsel to Federal Court Judge to chair of major national institutions, demonstrates what is possible for women who combine intellectual excellence with determination and integrity. She has navigated male-dominated fields, including science, law, and judicial service, while maintaining her own distinctive voice and perspective.

Dr Bennett's leadership style is characterised by collaborative decision-making, careful listening, respect for diverse expertise, and focus on evidence and outcomes rather than ego or politics. These qualities have made her effective in bringing together stakeholders with divergent views and forging consensus around evidence-based solutions.

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HONOURS AND RECOGNITION

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Dr Bennett's contributions have been recognised through Australia's honours system and academic institutions. In 2019, she was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), Australia's highest civilian honour, awarded "For eminent service to the judiciary and to the law, particularly in the area of intellectual property, to higher education, to medical research and science, and to the community."

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This followed her 2005 appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) "For service to the law, particularly through leadership roles in intellectual property law, as a contributor to law reform and to the community through a range of health, science and technology organisations." She was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003 for service to Australian society in the law.

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Dr Bennett has received honorary doctorates from four universities: Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from Bond University (2024), the University of Sydney (2021), and the University of New South Wales (2016), and Doctor of the University from the Australian National University (2011). These degrees recognise her distinguished contributions to law, science, and public service.

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She received the University of New South Wales Alumni Award in 1999, recognising her outstanding achievements as a UNSW graduate.

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Her appointment as Senior Counsel in 1994 was itself a significant professional honour, marking her as among the finest barristers in Australia.

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Dr Bennett's election as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (FAA) and the Australian Academy of Law (FAAL) represents peer recognition of her contributions to both fields, a rare distinction held by very few Australians.

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LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY

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Those who have worked with Dr Bennett describe someone of exceptional intelligence, formidable work ethic, absolute integrity, and genuine warmth. She is known for mastering complex subject matter quickly, asking penetrating questions, and cutting through complexity to identify core issues. Her scientific training gives her comfort with ambiguity and complexity while insisting on evidence and rigorous analysis.

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Dr Bennett's leadership philosophy emphasises collaboration, consultation, and evidence-based decision-making. She brings people together, listens carefully to diverse perspectives, and forges consensus where possible while being willing to make difficult decisions when necessary. She values expertise and defers to domain specialists while also maintaining the independent judgment necessary for effective governance.

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She is direct and clear in communication, avoiding jargon and obfuscation. Her judicial writing is noted for clarity and accessibility—important qualities in intellectual property disputes where technical complexity can obscure legal principles. This commitment to clarity extends to her governance and advisory work: she ensures that recommendations are practical, understandable, and implementable.

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Dr Bennett maintains high standards for herself and others while being supportive and developmental in her approach to colleagues and team members. She has mentored many younger lawyers and scientists, providing guidance, opening doors, and modelling professional excellence and ethical practice.

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CONTINUING CONTRIBUTIONS AND CURRENT PRACTICE

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While Dr Bennett retired from full-time judicial service in 2016, she remains extraordinarily active. In addition to her governance roles (Reef 2050 Advisory Committee Chair, Gardior Chair, IPEA Member, Community Migrant Resource Centre Director), international arbitration work (CAS Arbitrator, ICC Disputes Committee Chair), and university advisory roles (Chinese University of Hong Kong Law School Advisory Board), she continues to practise as a barrister in an advisory capacity.

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Her barrister practice focuses on complex intellectual property matters, mediation, and arbitration. She provides strategic advice on major IP disputes, offers expert determinations, and mediates complex commercial matters. Her reputation, experience, and expertise make her services highly sought after for the most challenging matters.

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Dr Bennett's continuing activities reflect both her genuine love of the law and her commitment to remaining connected to legal practice realities even as she contributes to broader institutional and policy matters.

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