DAVID JONES KC

In 2022, David was appointed King’s Counsel and in 2023, David 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 12 months include:

  • 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. 


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.

Military experience

In 2013, David received his commission as an officer in the Australian Army Reserves and graduated from the Royal Military College with the Sword of Honour. In 2014, David completed the Regimental Officer Basic Course at the School of Infantry at Singleton where he was awarded top place. In 2016, David was transferred from the Infantry Corp to the Legal Corp. He now appears in Defence Force Magistrate Trials and Court Martials for both the prosecution and the defence. He also appears in his civilian capacity in the Defence Force Discipline Appeal Tribunal for the Chief of Army and for members. Since 2021, David has held 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.

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

Assistant to the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force - 2021

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