Louise Jardim
Louise is a highly experienced criminal defence barrister with a practice focused on serious, high‑stakes matters. The overwhelming majority of her work is in sexual assault trials, particularly adult complainant matters. She is regularly briefed in cases involving complex factual disputes and credibility challenges. She is widely respected for her ability to prevail in demanding trials.
Louise’s reputation is built on hard work, rigorous preparation and formidable courtroom advocacy. She is a skilled and incisive cross‑examiner, able to cut through complex evidence and expose weaknesses with clarity and precision. Colleagues and instructing solicitors consistently remark on her ‘trial instinct’, her ability to read people — juries, witnesses and clients alike — and communicate in a direct, grounded and persuasive way.
Louise is on the Health Care Complaints Commission panel and appears for medical professionals in disciplinary hearings. She also regularly appears before the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. She maintains a steady appellate practice and appears for interested parties in inquests.
In recent years, Louise has achieved an exceptional number of acquittals and successful costs applications, outcomes that reflect both her judgment in selecting cases and her relentless approach to preparation and trial execution.
In addition to her practice, Louise coordinates the readers’ programme at chambers and regularly mentors junior barristers. Outside work, she is an active member of Bronte Surf Life Saving Club and is heavily involved in community rugby.
In 2025, Doyles recognised Louise as a leading criminal law junior counsel.
‘Getting those not guilty verdicts is incredibly rewarding — the relief for the client and their family is real.’
AREAS OF PRACTICE
Criminal law
Criminal appeals
Coronial inquests and inquiries
Commissions of inquiry
Disciplinary councils and tribunals
DATE OF ADMISSION
Solicitor – 2001
Barrister – 2011
PROFESSIONAL PANELS
Legal Aid Commission – Indictable appeals, Indictable law and complex crime
Health Care Complaints Commission
Department of Communities and Justice Legal Services – Inquests, Inquiries and Representation.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Law
Masters of Law
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND MEMBERSHIP
- Legal Aid Commission – Children’s Legal Service,
- Local Courts, Indictable and Committal Units (2001 – 2011)
- Law Society of NSW – Councillor (2009-2010),
- Professional Disclosure Committee Member (2010),
- Professional Conduct Committee Member (2009-2010),
- Criminal Law Committee Member (2010),
- Human Rights Committee Member (2007-2009)
- NSW Young Lawyers Association – President (2008-2009),
- Human Rights Committee Chair (2003-2007),
- Criminal Law Committee Member (2001-2010)
- Australian Young Lawyers Committee Member (2009-2010)
