William Blake practices principally in criminal and administrative law.
Criminal Law
William regularly appears in both summary and indictable matters, and has appeared as junior counsel in the Court of Appeal. He has experience in committal hearings, summary contests and bail applications, and as junior counsel in trials relating to homicide offences, drug importation and violent offending.
William also has experience acting in matters arising under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act.
William has a particular interest and focus on developing a trial practice and in July 2020 was accepted into the VLA Trial Counsel Development Program.
Regulatory Prosecutions
Counsel has experience in proceedings brought by regulatory authorities. William has appeared and advised in prosecutions brought by both government and statutory bodies, such as the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), as well as local councils.
Human Rights and Migration Law
William maintains a strong interest in the protection of human rights and public and international law. He has worked with the Capital Punishment Justice Project in appeals against death penalty sentences in Singapore, and has appeared in a number of applications to the Australian Administrative Tribunal against the mandatory revocation of visas of refugees.
Background
Prior to being called to the Bar, William was Associate to His Honour Judge Allen of the County Court. During his time at the Court, William gained practical experience in complex criminal trials, plea hearings for both State and Commonwealth offences, bail applications, fitness investigations and special hearings.
William previously worked with the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, Fitzroy Legal Centre and the Mental Health Legal Centre where he gained extensive experience across a broad range of law, including migration, property and estate matters, and challenging compulsory treatment orders arising under the Mental Health Act. William read with Barnaby Johnston and Colin Mandy SC.
