Harry Lewis

Room 2.2

Criminal law

Harry regularly appears in criminal proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court and County Court of Victoria. He is experienced in complex criminal matters involving complicated questions of law, evidence and procedure. He is well experienced in the cross-examination of experts, police officers and other special witnesses including child witnesses.

Migration and Refugee Law

Harry has worked and lived in Nauru for extended periods of time representing asylum seekers applying for refugee status. He has appeared several times at the Refugee Status Review Tribunal in Nauru.

Harry regularly accepts briefs to advise on and appear in applications for judicial review of decisions on protection visa applications for asylum seekers. These matters arise both in the Federal Court and the Federal Circuit Court.

Harry has also appeared at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in visa cancellation matters under section 501 of the Migration Act.

Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Law

Harry appears in discrimination proceedings under the Disability Discrimination Act and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act. He has appeared in the Federal Court in relation to these proceedings, which primarily relate to claims of discrimination against children with various complex needs and disabilities.

Child Protection

Harry has appeared many complex final contested hearings in the area of child protection. This has involved lengthy cross-examination and dealing with heavily complex factual scenarios and clients with complex needs, including the deaf community. He has significant experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds and is well versed in working with courtroom interpreters.

In 2019, Harry was shortlisted as a finalist for Australia’s 30 Under 30 Awards (Lawyers Weekly). He was shortlisted as a finalist again in 2020.

Harry holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) from Deakin University.

Harry undertook approximately 6 months of his university study in West Africa, studying international humanitarian law and international environmental law at the University of Ghana. He was also awarded a scholarship to study international trade and economics at the Shanghai University of Business and Economics in China.

Harry has worked in Cape Town, South Africa, as a legal assistant at Lawyers for Human Rights, a South African community legal service.

Harry has also volunteered at Justice Connect, St Kilda Legal Service, Kimberly Community Legal Services (WA) and Refugee Legal.

Harry’s mentor is Jim Shaw and his senior mentor is Dr Ian Freckelton QC.