Brett Barratt

Brett Barratt is a Partner of the firm and a Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law. 

As an Accredited Specialist he is recognised by the Law Institute of Victoria Specialisation Board as an expert in criminal law and procedure. 

Brett has been a member of the James Dowsley & Associates team since 2013. He is also a member of the Law Institute of Victoria Criminal Law Section Executive Committee.

Awards 

Brett has received recognition in Doyle’s Guide as a leading Criminal Defence Lawyer in 2024.

He has also been recognised as a leading Traffic and DUI Lawyer in 2023 and 2024.

Expertise 

Brett appears in a wide variety of cases across the Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Supreme Court. Brett regularly instructs Counsel and King’s Counsel in indictable matters that proceed in the County Court, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the High Court of Australia.  

Brett defends persons accused of all types of criminal offences including homicide, sexual offences, federal and state drug offences, dishonesty offences including white collar crime, assaults, family violence allegations and more. Brett regularly represents clients in relation to both family violence and personal safety intervention order proceedings. 

Brett has also represented clients in quasi-criminal proceedings including many appearances at the Independent Broad Based Anti-Corruption Commission (‘IBAC’). Brett has represented persons being investigated in relation to offences in other States of Australia beyond Victoria. He has represented clients in relation to suppression order applications to prevent details of their case being published by the media. 

He also has extensive experience in matters arising under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act and the Serious Sex Offenders (Detention and Supervision) Act. 

Brett works tirelessly to ensure the rights of his clients are protected and that their cases are presently as comprehensively as they can be before the court. Brett has a longstanding passion for social justice and ensuring that the rights of accused persons are protected. He has had many clients acquitted at trial and had clients who have had their convictions overturned on appeal.