Stokes Pretty is a Melbourne based law firm that practices in child protection, criminal law and intervention order matters in the State of Victoria.
About us
Our experienced and dedicated lawyers are able to provide legal advice and representation to clients with matters proceeding in the Children’s Court of Victoria in all metropolitan and regional Courts.
Our firm is a Panel Member of Victoria Legal Aid’s exclusive Child Protection, Youth Crime and Summary Crime panels and Family Violence panels.
Our services
Our firm is able to provide comprehensive and compassionate representation in metropolitan and regional courts in Victoria. This includes:
Thorough advice from empathetic and skilled lawyers;
Determining eligibility for Victoria Legal Aid funding for your Court matters;
Negotiating with the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing, Victoria Police & other parties;
Advocating on your behalf in Court proceedings;
Explaining and protecting your rights.
We aim to ensure you navigate the challenging Court process successfully.
Our team
Bernard Pretty
Bernard Pretty is one of the Principal Lawyers at Stokes Pretty. Bernard started his career in law working at both the Magistrates’ and Children’s Courts of Victoria as a Court Registrar before moving into private practice in 2014. Since 2014 he has appeared daily in the Children’s, Magistrates’, County and Supreme Courts of Victoria advocating on behalf of children, adolescents and adults in both criminal, child protection and intervention order matters. A member of Victoria Legal Aid’s Child Protection, Summary Crime and Youth Crime subset and intervention order panels, Bernard has a passion for working with young people and families. Bernard has obtained a Bachelor of Laws from Deakin University and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the Australian National University.
Joseph Stokes
Joseph Stokes is one of the Principal Lawyers at Stokes Pretty. Joseph commenced his career in Western Australia practising in both Family Law and Commercial Law. Joseph has significant experience in acting in complex criminal matters and child protection matters in the State of Victoria since 2015. He appears daily in the Children’s Court of Victoria in both the Family and Criminal Divisions. He has appeared in Criminal matters in the Magistrates Court and County Court and has acted as instructing solicitor for Criminal and Child Protection matters in the Supreme Court of Victoria. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Notre Dame University in Western Australia and completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the College of Law.
Links
Children’s Court of Victoria
Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
Victoria Legal Aid
Law Institute of Victoria
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
https://www.vic.gov.au/department-families-fairness-and-housing