Having appeared in over 300 jury trials and various military and regulatory matters across Australia, David Jones KC is known for his astute strategy and analysis of complex factual situations, his strong advocacy and his effective communication and practical good sense. David is a leading Criminal silk who is recommended in the 2023 Doyles Guide Listings.

David has appeared for both the prosecution and the defence, although his focus is now defence, and he is on the Victoria Legal Aid Preferred Barrister List. His practice is not limited to criminal law, and he is often briefed to provide advice on evidentiary matters, prospects of success and contested hearings that require cross-examination and appellate matters.

He is a commissioned officer of the Australian Army Reserves and appears and advises in Military matters. David holds a statutory appointment as an Assistant to the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force where he is engaged to assist in the conduct of coercive Inquiries into the deaths of Australian Defence Force members.

David also has a strong commitment to continuing professional development and for over 10 years has presented multiple CPD events that focus on evidentiary issues and trial advocacy.

Some recent examples of cases that David has appeared in include:

• DPP v Rapisarda (No 2) [2024] VSC 217, where David appeared for an accused in a Murder trial and successfully argued a no case submission.
• In R v Dayney [2020] QCA 264, where David appeared for the appellant and was successful in having a conviction for murder set aside.
• David represented the respondent, the Chief of Army in Howieson v Chief of Army [2021] ADFDAT 1.
• In R v Paul Pisasale, David was briefed to represent one of Queensland’s longest-serving mayors.
• R v Andrew Young was a matter involving one of Australia’s biggest criminal insolvency trading cases that also contained a fraud allegation amounting to around $13 million.
• David represented the appellant in R v BDJ [2022] QCA 108 to challenge the direction given under the new s132BA of the Evidence Act 1977 (Qld). This represented the first challenge on this new section.