Profile Details
Peter Morrissey practises in serious criminal proceedings in most Australian jurisdictions, including homicide cases, major fraud and ASIC prosecutions, drug and sexual offences and all other prosecutions in the higher courts. He also practices in administrative law, including Freedom of Information and guardianship matters.
TRIAL WORK: Peter has appeared in many major trials, including charges of murder, culpable driving, narcotics offences, fraud and sexual offences. He is experienced in all aspects of the criminal process, including bail, compulsory hearings at various coercive agencies, committals and pre-trial litigation, as well as the trial itself.
APPEALS: Peter is also experienced in criminal appeal work in the Court of Appeal, as well as in Orders to Review arising from the criminal process.
INQUESTS AND QUASI-CRIMINAL CASES: Peter is experienced in Coroners hearings; and in all aspects of Magistrates Court criminal procedure; and (finally) in compensation and forfeiture litigation.
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW: Peter has experience of all aspects of international criminal law, having conducted trials and appeals at the ICTY, and defended persons charged with offences whilst living in off-shore facilities. Peter continues to work and advise in this area.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: Peter has appeared in many administrative law matters, including cases in VCAT, Fair Work Australia, the Supreme court of victoria and other tribunals. He has advised on and appeared in complex challenges to administrative action (cases with a clear human rights focus). He has conducted enquiries, and advised upon legislation with human rights implications.
PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Peter has been a long-term Criminal Bar Association member, and a frequent contributor to the Bar's CLE program.
EDUCATION: Peter has taught Constitutional & Administrative Law and Criminal Law at the University of Melbourne for many years, and also teaches courses in International Criminal Procedure and Human Rights and Criminal Procedure.
Peter was born in 1960 and is married to Judy Bourke; they have three children.
Victorian Bar Committee memberships
- Chair - Criminal Bar Association Committee
