Michael Stanton SC

Michael practises in criminal and administrative law.

He has appeared in a wide range of matters, including conviction and sentence appeals before the Court of Appeal, Royal Commissions and inquests. He was a consultant to the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants.

He was junior counsel for an appellant in Tony Strickland (a pseudonym) & Ors v Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (2018) 266 CLR 325, and for the accused in the retrial of David Eastman.

Michael was counsel for an appellant in Victoria's first guideline judgment, Boulton & Ors v The Queen (2014) 46 VR 308.

He has appeared in supervision order matters including Nigro & Ors v Secretary to the Department of Justice (2013) 41 VR 359 and Owen Daniel (a pseudonym) v Secretary to the Department of Justice (2015) 45 VR 266.

Michael has a particular interest in the operation and effect of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic), having completed his Masters in Human Rights Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science after receiving a Chevening Scholarship. He is the Immediate Past President of Liberty Victoria and a member of the National Criminal Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia. 

He has a background in social work, having been employed for six years as a youth and disability worker whilst he completed his tertiary studies, where he received first class honours in both Arts and Law at the Australian National University. 

Michael read with Christopher Winneke KC. He is a member of the Victoria Legal Aid Criminal Trial Preferred Barrister List and holds an Indictable Crime Certificate. 

He is a co-chair of the Health and Wellbeing Committee.