David Alexander Ipp AO (born 1938) is a distinguished Australian jurist, academic, and former judge. He is widely recognized for his significant contributions to Australian law, particularly in the areas of torts, evidence, and civil procedure, and for chairing the landmark Review of the Law of Negligence, commonly known as the "Ipp Review."
Early Life and Education
Born in South Africa in 1938, David Ipp completed his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees at the University of the Witwatersrand. He was admitted to the bar in South Africa before immigrating to Australia.Judicial Career
Ipp's judicial career in Australia began with his appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, where he served from 1989 to 2001. In 2001, he was appointed to the Court of Appeal of New South Wales, serving until his retirement from the bench in 2009. Throughout his time on the bench, he presided over numerous complex cases and delivered significant judgments that shaped Australian jurisprudence.Ipp Review of the Law of Negligence
One of Ipp's most influential contributions was his role as the Chairperson of the Panel of Eminent Persons appointed by the Australian Attorney-General to conduct the Review of the Law of Negligence in 2002. This review, often referred to as the "Ipp Report" or "Ipp Review," was prompted by a perceived crisis in public liability insurance and aimed to reform tort law. The panel's recommendations led to substantial legislative changes across all Australian states and territories, significantly impacting the law of negligence, particularly concerning duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)
Following his retirement from the judiciary, Ipp served as a Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in New South Wales from 2009 to 2014. During his tenure at ICAC, he oversaw several high-profile investigations into corruption within the public sector, which led to significant findings and policy changes.Academic Contributions and Honours
Beyond his judicial and public service roles, David Ipp has maintained a strong connection to legal academia. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Australia Law School and the University of New South Wales Law School, contributing to legal education and scholarship. He is also the author of numerous legal articles and books, particularly on torts, evidence, and civil procedure.In recognition of his distinguished service to the judiciary and to the law, particularly in the areas of negligence, evidence, and civil procedure, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2005.