Samuel Stafford

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OH&S)
Sam defends employers (from publicly listed companies to individuals) and employees charged with OH&S offences under both State (WorkSafe) and Commonwealth (Comcare) matters.  

Sam is again recognised as preeminent in Doyle's 2026 Guide to Leading Work Health and Safety Counsel.

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Sam advises in relation to administrative law matters and appears in Judicial Review Proceedings arising from decisions of the Magistrates’ Court, Boards and Tribunals.

PROSECUTIONS, DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ADVICE
Sam has acted for following regulators :

the Victorian Building Authority (VBA),now the Victorian Plumbing and Building Commission( BPC); 

the Environment Protection Authority (EPA); 

Electrical Safety Victoria (ESV); 

Victorian Government Departments, Victoria Police (TCO);

the Pharmacy Board; 

Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) as counsel assisting;

The Victorian Gambling Commission (VGC) as it then was. Sam has acted for clients the subject of disciplinary action or prosecutions by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).

Sam is  briefed as defence counsel in Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) prosecutions in Victoria and other states including fatality cases.

He also defends private clients against prosecutions and inquiries brought by the regulators set out above under the Building Act 1993, the Planning and Environment Act 1987, the Environment Protection Act 1970 and 2017, The Electrical Safety Act 1998, Education and Care Service National Law Act 2010, the Road Safety Act 1983, the Pharmacy Regulation Act 2010, Liquor Control Reform Act 1998, Gambling Regulation Act 2003.

Sam provides regulatory advice and representation to individuals, corporations, Victorian Government Departments and statutory bodies referred to above regarding:

• the scope of statutory powers;
• resisting subpoenas;
• legislative interpretation and amendment; and
• proposed legislative and regulatory amendment.

INQUESTS
Sam is briefed as counsel assisting the Coroner.

He has also acted for numerous clients in Coroners Court matters including Victorian Government Departments, WorkSafe, VICSES, the VBA), the Police Association, Municipal Councils, electricity providers, families of the deceased and individual witnesses.

ROYAL COMMISSIONS AND INQUIRIES
Sam is available to advise and appear on behalf of witnesses or parties affected. Sam appeared at the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry and provided advice to the Victorian Building Authority in the Bushfires Royal Commission which was exhibited to its final report.

IBAC
Sam advises individuals in relation to IBAC investigations and has appeared on behalf of witnesses at public examinations in Operation Ross, Operation Ord and Operation Gloucester.

CRIME
Sam appears in Trials, Contested Summary Hearings, Bail Applications, Appeals and Pleas. He has also appeared in applications under the Crimes (Mental Impairment Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997, matters and reviews under the Serious Sex Offenders (Detention and Supervision) Act 2009.

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
As a solicitor and barrister Sam has acted for individual and corporate clients in domestic and commercial building disputes in all Victorian Courts and VCAT.

ACADEMIC AND SEMINARS
Sam has tutored business law and equity in the Griffith University Business and Law Schools and has conducted numerous seminars for clients including law firms, Statutory Authorities, Councils and the Victorian Municipal Building Surveyors Group (VMBSG) on topics such as OH&S, investigations, evidence, drafting techniques and recent changes to the law.

BOARD AND TRIBUNAL APPOINTMENTS
Chair of the Firearms Appeals Committee (FAC) - Sam was re-appointed by the Governor in Council in October 2024.  The FAC reviews decisions of the Chief Commissioner of Police under the Firearms Act 1996.

https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/contact-us/firearms-appeals-committee

Sam is the former Chair of the Professional Standards Committee of the Anglican Dioceses of Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo and Wangaratta and South Australian Dioceses.

https://www.professionalstandards.org.au/the-psc-anglican-diocese-of-melbourne

Sam is a member of the Board of the McFarlane Fund, an innovative philanthropic fund dedicated to supporting artists and worthy individuals, projects and organisations involved in the visual arts in Australia. The McFarlane Fund also awards the Don McFarlane Prize.

https://www.themacfarlanefund.com.au/