Ashleigh has a broad practice in administrative and public law, including regulatory and disciplinary prosecutions, as well as criminal law.
Administrative & Public Law
Ashleigh has a particular interest in areas of administrative and public law which often overlap with the criminal jurisdiction, including:
- Disclosure and privilege matters, particularly in relation to public interest immunity claims and disclosure considerations (including subpoena arguments) as they apply to investigative agencies. Ashleigh regularly appears at all levels of the court hierarchy in relation to such matters, both led and unled.
- Coercive powers applications at both state and federal levels: Ashleigh has appeared on behalf of investigative agencies before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Supreme Court in relation to such applications.
- Whistleblower and public interest disclosure protections.
- Civil penalty prosecutions: Ashleigh is experienced in cases where parallel criminal and civil penalties are contemplated by regulatory agencies.
Ashleigh has appeared as counsel assisting in numerous private examinations before the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and provides advice in relation to IBAC matters. She has a thorough understanding of investigative processes and procedures, particularly in relation to anti-corruption investigations.
Ashleigh also appears in inquisitorial proceedings including Royal Commissions and other Inquiries, as well as coronial inquests. In 2021, Ashleigh was hand-picked by the Honourable Geoffrey Nettle AC KC, former Justice of the High Court, to act as Assistant Counsel to the Office of Special Investigator (OSI).
Ashleigh is also experienced appearing for both regulators and respondents in professional disciplinary proceedings and licensing matters. Ashleigh accepts briefs to appear and advise in relation to merits review proceedings before VCAT and other specialist tribunals, as well as judicial review matters.
Criminal Law
Ashleigh's practice encompasses all areas relating to criminal and quasi-criminal law. She is experienced in both state and federal jurisdictions and appears at all levels of the court hierarchy in trials, pleas, appeals, committal hearings, summary contests and bail applications.
Ashleigh's criminal practice extends to indictable and summary prosecutions arising from WorkSafe and EPA investigations. She regularly provides advice and appears in trials and summary prosecutions for such matters, acting for both prosecution and defence.
Ashleigh accepts briefs to appear and advise in post-sentence applications, including supervision and detention orders, compensation applications, and proceeds of crime / confiscation matters.
Ashleigh is a contributing author of Federal Offences, published by Thomson Reuters. She is a member of the Commonwealth DPP External Junior Counsel Panel and holds an Indictable Crime Certificate. Ashleigh is also a former participant of Victoria Legal Aid's Trial Counsel Development Program, having been selected in 2020 for inclusion in the program.
Ashleigh read with Elizabeth Ruddle KC. Her senior mentor was Sally Flynn KC.