Date of Admission:
23 Apr 2013
Qualifications:
LLB (Hons), LLM, BA
Previous Occupation:
Senior Solicitor, Solicitor
Accepts briefs from in-house counselProfile:
Abilene specialises in proceeds of crime/confiscation, commercial and criminal law matters.
Abilene’s broad generalist practice at the Bar means that she frequently appears in Court, including in unled trials, and has a particular specialist knowledge in matters that traverse civil and criminal jurisdictions.
In addition to her general practice, Abilene has a particular expertise in proceeds of crime/confiscation litigation. She regularly advises and appears on behalf of government and private clients in such cases.
Abilene’s practice at the Bar, has included:
- Appearances in matters concerning the Retail Leases Act, Australian Consumer Law and general breach of contract and commercial matters, including advice work;
- Appearances in testator family maintenance claims (Part IV of the Administration & Probates Act);
- Appearances in trials (unled) in the County Court in proceedings under the Confiscation Act;
- Appearances in Proceeds of Crimes Act (Cth) proceedings, including examinations at the AAT;
- A broad range of criminal defence matters in the County and Magistrates’ Court; and
- Appearances in ancillary criminal matters including the Major Crime (Investigative Powers) Act (Office of the Chief Examiner), the Food Act and ss 86 and 85B compensation applications under the Sentencing Act.
Published decisions that Abilene has been involved in, include (in addition to suppressed cases):
- Proudfoot v DPP [2020] VSCA 138 - Appeal against Confiscation Act (Vic) restraining order on Kable grounds (led by E Ruddle)
- Chen v Director of Public Prosecutions [2019] VCC 1545 – Confiscation Act trial, unled.
- Director of Public Prosecutions v Fatho & ors – complex plea hearing involving multiple co-accused
- Director of Public Prosecutions v McCabe – criminal trial (led by Jim Shaw) – sentencing reasons published.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Abilene practised in commercial litigation for a number of years, and was then a Senior Solicitor at the Office of Public Prosecutions in its proceeds of crime directorate.
Abilene is a long-standing volunteer at her local community legal service, where she provides pro bono advice on criminal matters.
Abilene read with Elizabeth Ruddle SC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation. The information referred to above has been supplied by the barrister concerned. Neither Victorian Bar Inc nor the barrister's clerk
have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information and neither accepts any responsibility in that regard.