Rishi is an experienced barrister from London who practised at the Bar of England & Wales for over 11 years (2006 – 2017).
He is ranked in the current 2021 Doyles Guide as Recommended Junior Counsel in Australia and as a Leading Junior in Victoria. He has also been ranked as a leading Criminal Junior in London in “Chambers & Partners: the UK Bar” (2014-2020), as well as in the “Legal 500”(2016-2019). His busy practice has involved serious criminal offending, regulatory offences & proceeds of crime/confiscation.
In the UK, Rishi was routinely instructed in the most serious cases, involving homicides, terrorism, serious violence (GBH, armed robberies, aggravated burglaries), serious sexual offences (historic rape, rape of a child) and substantial frauds and money laundering. Rishi has acted as Junior led by Queen’s Counsel, as Leading Junior and as Junior Alone. He also appeared in the Court of Appeal.
Rishi is a trial barrister, who particularly enjoys the tactics involved in the trial process. He is often instructed in cases involving complex evidential matters such as DNA identification.
Rishi also appears in the appellate jurisdiction.
Rishi is particularly known for his client care and has considerable experience in acting for vulnerable defendants. He is accredited by the Bar Standards Board to teach others (including Queen’s Counsel) how to cross-examine vulnerable witnesses with intermediaries within UK national guidelines.
Since coming to Australia, Rishi worked at the Coroners’ Court and has a working knowledge of the Coronial Process and has been instructed in a number of Coronial Inquests (including as Counsel Assisting).
Rishi is enjoying the challenge of developing a similar practice in Victoria.
To date, Rishi has been instructed for trial in matters including murder, manslaughter, culpable driving causing death, armed robbery (firearms), causing serious injury (shooting), incest, historic child sexual abuse of children and drugs importations (Commonwealth). He has also assisted the Department of Justice in introducing and training intermediaries to the Criminal Justice System. Rishi has also been instructed in the appellate jurisdiction.
Rishi was also counsel instructed to represent “Lawyer X” (Nicola Gobbo) before the Royal Commission into Police Informers. He continues to act for Ms Gobbo.
Rishi is on the Victoria Legal Aid Preferred Trial Counsel List and holds an Indictable Crimes Certificate (ICC) from the Victorian Bar.
Rishi has been appointed as a senior barrister by VLA, entitled to lead Talented Junior Counsel as part of the development programme.
What the Directories Say:
“Intellectually razor sharp” – Legal 500: UK Bar, 2016
‘A first-class junior, who is very tactically astute, hardworking and effective.’ – Legal 500: UK Bar, 2017
‘A go-to barrister in high demand from many top-calibre solicitors.’ – Legal 500: UK Bar, 2018
Has an excellent knowledge of the law and when he’s on his feet he is an iron fist in a velvet glove.” – Chambers and Partners, The UK Bar, 2020
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.