The 2026 listing of leading Australian Criminal Law Senior Counsel details Queens Counsel and Senior Counsel practising in criminal law matters across all Australian legal markets who have been identified by the nation’s criminal lawyers and barristers for their expertise and abilities in the area.
Preeminent
Simon Buchen SC, Forbes Chambers – Sydney
Dermot Dann KC, Holmes List – Melbourne
Tim Game SC, Forbes Chambers – Sydney
Saul Holt KC, 8 Petrie Terrace Chambers – Brisbane
Matthew Johnston SC, Forbes Chambers – Sydney
Philip Strickland SC, Forbes Chambers – Sydney
Murugan Thangaraj SC, Forbes Chambers – Sydney
Leading
Gabrielle Bashir SC, Forbes Chambers – Sydney
Christopher Carr SC, Parnell’s Barristers – Melbourne
Neil Clelland KC, Parnell’s Barristers – Melbourne
Angus Edwards KC, Lucas Chambers – Brisbane
David Edwardson KC, Bar Chambers – Adelaide
David Hallowes SC, Parnell’s Barristers – Melbourne
Jeffrey Hunter KC, Lucas Chambers – Brisbane
Colin Mandy SC, Parnell’s Barristers – Melbourne
Rishi Nathwani KC, Parnell’s Barristers – Melbourne
Ruth O’Gorman KC, Higgins Chambers – Brisbane
Ruth Shann SC, Parnell’s Barristers – Melbourne
Recommended
Angela Cook SC, Forbes Chambers – Sydney
Avni Djemal SC, Forbes Chambers – Sydney
Craig Eberhardt KC, Level 20 Inns of Court – Brisbane
Slade Howell SC, Forbes Chambers – Sydney
Lisa-Claire Hutchinson SC, Forbes Chambers – Sydney
Bret Walker SC, Fifth Floor St James Hall – Sydney
Paul Yovich SC, Francis Burt Chambers – Perth