DAVID JONES KC

In 2022, David was appointed King’s Counsel and in 2023, was appointed Adjunct Professor (School of Law and Justice) with the University of Southern Queensland.

Some examples of cases David has appeared in over the last 18 months include:

  • R v Hamilton, where David’s client was acquitted of murder and manslaughter in the Supreme Court of Queensland at Toowoomba.

  • In R v Kirby, after a three-week trial in the Supreme Court of Queensland at Brisbane, David’s client was acquitted of attempted murder and malicious act with intent. 

  • DPP v Rapisarda (No 2) 2024 VSC 217, where David successfully made a no case submission at the end of the third week of a murder trial in the Melbourne Supreme Court.

  • In R v HMA [2024] QCA 156, David successfully argued that a conviction be overturned in circumstances where the appellant was prohibited at trial from adducing evidence that he had been previously acquitted in relation to a separate allegation.

  • R v Desatge; R v Dawita [2024] QSC 205, involved a three-week murder trial where David’s client was acquitted of murder, manslaughter and torture. 

  • R v SEU [2025] QCA 247, involved an appeal against conviction in which the Court of Appeal substituted verdicts of acquittal for three counts.

  • Stevens v Nicholson [2025] QCA 205, involved a matter where David’s client was initially acquitted in the Magistrates Court of an offence against the Electrical Safety Act (2002) but subsequently convicted on appeal in the District Court. David represented his client in the Court of Appeal who set aside the verdict of guilty and substituted it with a verdict of not guilty.

  • R v Cook, involved an allegation of murder in which the defendant was acquitted of the primary charge of murder.

  • R v Moffat was a three week trial in which David’s client was acquitted of the primary charge murder.

Whilst many of David’s trials are in the Supreme Court of Queensland, he also appears in the District Court and the Magistrates Court. He also appears interstate in both civilian and military courts.

Career history (download CV here)

David graduated with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and completed his graduate diploma in legal practice. In 2006, before being admitted to practice, he successfully graduated from the bar practice course. Shortly thereafter, David was admitted as a Legal Practitioner in Queensland and in 2007 he was admitted as a barrister in the High Court of Australia. At the age of 24, David received his permanent commission as a Crown Prosecutor. In 2010, he was appointed as a Senior Crown Prosecutor. David left the Crown in 2016 and commenced practice at the Queensland bar.

Continuing professional development

Since 2010, David has presented multiple CPD events that focus on evidentiary issues and trial advocacy.  In 2017, David, Martin of counsel and a local solicitor, Sarah Campbell, developed a two-day continuing professional development program for criminal practitioners. The inaugural program attracted 30 practitioners and over time it has grown to the point where 100 practitioners attend. The event has also attracted many quality speakers. To date, eight Supreme Court Judges, three District Court Judges, several Queen’s Counsel, barristers and solicitors have presented at these events. In addition to these events, David frequently presents for events hosted by the Downs and South West Queensland Law Association, the Office of the Director of Military Prosecutions and other organisations. In 2022 David conducted a two-day advocacy program in Canberra for Military prosecutors, presented for Legalwise and at a Country Special. Below are the links to recent papers:

ADMISSIONS, QUALIFICATIONS & APPOINTMENTS

King’s Counsel - 2022

Adjunct Professor (School of Law and Justice) with the University of Southern Queensland - 2023

Admitted as Legal Practitioner - 2006

Bachelor of Laws (Honours) - 2005

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Commissions of Inquiry

Regulatory Prosecutions

Criminal

Military

CONTACT

David Jones KC

0407 922 884

Email: dpjones@qldbar.asn.au

Address:

Queen’s Arms Chambers

229 Margaret Street

Toowoomba, QLD, 4350