Biography

Nicholas Palmer practices principally in public and administrative law. He has a particular interest in proceedings under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), mental health law, human rights, and public-interest litigation.

His public law practice includes judicial and administrative review, statutory decision-making, human rights matters, regulatory proceedings and litigation involving government departments and public authorities. He accepts briefs in dangerous-prisoner proceedings, having appeared for and against the State, in matters concerning continuing detention and supervision orders, as well as proceedings before the Mental Health Court and Mental Health Review Tribunal.

Nicholas also practices in tort and civil claims, including claims against government and public authorities, and in commercial and general civil litigation. He accepts briefs to advise, settle pleadings and appear at interlocutory hearings, trials and appeals.

Nicholas accepts briefs in sports disciplinary and tribunal proceedings. He is a member of the National Sports Tribunal Legal Assistance Panel and has experience appearing in disciplinary matters involving sporting organisations, participants and governing bodies.

Before coming to the Bar, Nicholas was an Acting Principal Lawyer at Crown Law. In that role, he appeared regularly in the Queensland Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Queensland, Mental Health Review Tribunal, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and Queensland Human Rights Commission.

Nicholas regularly volunteers with Caxton Legal Centre. His volunteer work reflects his commitment to access to justice and public interest advocacy.

Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Laws from Murdoch University. He was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2019, is entered in the High Court Register of Practitioners and was called to the Bar in 2025.

He is a member of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law, the Family Law Practitioners’ Association and the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association. He is also a member of the National Sports Tribunal Legal Assistance Panel.