Steve Whybrow SC - The Centre for Independent Studies

Steve Whybrow SC graduated from the ANU in 1989 with a science/law degree. After working as a Crown prosecutor with both the Commonwealth and ACT DPPs for 12 years he was called to the Bar in 2002.

With 30+ years experience, Steve is an experienced advocate with a wide practice compassing criminal and common law, inquiries/inquests, commercial and work health and safety matters. He has appeared in numerous high profile, confronting or controversial matters including the Clarke Inquiry into the case of Dr Muhamad Haneef, the Implosion of Royal Canberra Hospital, the inquest into the 2002 Canberra Bushfires, the Montara Oil Rig spill and the Dreamworld Tragedy.

Steve is reserve member of the RAAF, appearing in various Military Tribunals both as prosecutor and defending officer, and represented a number of individuals in the Brereton Afghanistan War Crimes Inquiry. He has deployed to the Middle East to undertake sensitive inquiries as part of his reserve service.

Steve was President of the ACT Bar Association from 2018-2020 and acted as pupil master to nine readers before his appointment as Senior Counsel in 2022.

Most recently Steve represented Bruce Lehrmann at both the criminal trial and in the recent Federal Court defamation proceedings. Having (so far) survived that ever evolving and seemingly never ending saga, Steve recently relocated to Perth to continue practice.

Steve is an outspoken advocate for the Rule of Law and regularly speaks at legal conferences on issues such as civil litigation, criminal law, advocacy (especially cross examination) and evidence.