Qualifications: LLB (Hons), B Med Sc
Admitted as a Solicitor: 2008
Called to Bar: May 2013
Phone: (02) 4032 4515
Email: bbickford@hunterstreetchambers.com.au
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Ben appears as counsel in a wide range of criminal matters including jury trials, sentences, appeals, contested hearings, local court and children’s court matters.
In addition to criminal matters Ben has appeared as counsel in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and the Special Commission of Inquiry into matters relating to police investigation of certain child sexual abuse allegations in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. Ben has also been briefed to undertake work concerning the Independent Commission Against Corruption and appears in Coronial Inquests.
From 2008 to 2013, Ben practiced as a criminal lawyer for the Aboriginal Legal Service at Dubbo, before moving to the role of Deputy Managing Lawyer for the Aboriginal Legal Service at Newcastle. In addition to management responsibilities Ben’s busy practice involved trials for Armed Robbery, Sexual Assault, Murder and Drug Trafficking matters.
Ben won the Australian National Family Law Mooting competition at University in 2007 and now regularly speaks at professional development seminars. He has also written papers on a variety of topics concerning criminal practice and procedure and ethics.
Practice areas
Public/administrative
- Proceeds of crime
Criminal
- Appellate
- Crimes against the person
- Drugs
- Environmental and planning offences
- Extradition
- Fraud
- Juvenile justice
- Mental illness
- Proceeds of crime/money laundering
- Property offences
- Sexual assault
- Traffic
- White collar and corporate crime
- Workplace health and safety
Appellate
- Criminal appeals
Environment and planning
- Environmental and planning offences
Inquests/inquiries
- Commissions and Other Inquiries
- Coronial inquests