Mark Dennis SC

Admitted as a legal practitioner in 1991
Admitted as a barrister in 2001
Appointed Senior Counsel in 2018


Mark Dennis has practised exclusively in criminal law since 1992. Prior to being admitted to practise as a barrister in 2001, he practised as a solicitor with the Western Aboriginal Legal Service from 1992 - 2001 including holding the position of Principal Solicitor of that organisation from 1997 -2001.  He was recognised as an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law by the Law Society of NSW in 1997.

In 2015 Mark was the winner of the Terry Keaney Memorial Award, an award that recognises:

• Dedication to the profession,
• Excellence as a criminal lawyer
• Commitment to clients, and
• Concern for social justice issues.

In 2012, Mark was short-listed for the Law Foundation Justice Medal, an award that recognises “improving access to justice in New South Wales.”

Mark is the founder and convenor of "Reasonable Cause" CPD conferences, a social enterprise that donates 100% of its profits to charity.

Mark is also the founder and content manager of a www.CriminalCPD.net.au, a not-for-profit website for criminal lawyers.

In 2020 Mark founded a new charity, Reasonable Cause Inc., a charity that focuses on assisting disadvantaged young Cambodians to advance their education.”

Mark was the Chairman of the Australia Cambodia Foundation from 2018 to 2020. This charity assists disadvantaged Cambodian children with a particular emphasis on alleviating educational disadvantage.

​From 2003 to 2012 Mark was a member of the Management Committee of the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre, a community legal centre that assists disadvantaged immigrants including refugees.

Mark regularly appears in District and Supreme Court trials and sentence matters including complex matters.  He also appears in Local Court matters and Coronial matters as well as before the NSW Crime Commission and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

Principal areas of practice 

• Criminal Law
• Commissions of Inquiry and Inquests

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Publications

• “Dog Arse Cunts – A Discussion Paper on the Law of Offensive Language and Offensive Manner” March 2023
• "A selection of recent decisions from the appellate courts" - March 2022
• "Excluding Admissions on the Basis of Oppressive Conduct – An Anarchist’s Guide to Section 84 of the Evidence Act.” - March 2021.
• “ ‘A Pack of Fucken Boys in Blue Skirts’ – A Lawful Combatant’s Guide to Assaulting, Resisting, Hindering and Escaping Police in New South Wales.” July 2020


• “I Don’t Have To Talk To You, You Giraffe – A Discussion Paper on The Right To Silence.” – March 2020.
• “Don’t Go To Court Dressed Like A Car Accident – And Other Really Useful Tips on Cross-Examination.” – March 2020. ​
• “Some Common Criminal Trial Directions in NSW” ALS Trial Advocates’ Conference June 2018.
• “Identification Evidence” March 2018 Reasonable Cause CPD conference.
• "Defending Child Sexual Assault in the Local Court" - March 2017.
• “Oppressive Conduct and Section 84 of the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) – A Case Study Concerning R v Sumpton [2014] NSWSC 1432.” – ALS Northern Region CLE conference May 2015.​
• "What the Fuck's Happening?- A Discussion Paper on Sections 99, 105 and 201 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (NSW)." - Reasonable Cause CLE - March 2014.
• "Goods in Custody" - ALS Western Zone CLE conference - March 2013
• "The New Section 37AA of the Bail Act 1978 (NSW)" - November 2012.
• "Contested Committals – A Defence Perspective" - ALS State Conference - July 2012.
• "Stunning Constables - How to cross-examine police" - ALS Western Zone CLE seminar - June 2012.
• “Credibility Evidence in Criminal Proceedings” – Legal Aid NSW CLE Conference - June 2011.
• "Arrest Hypotheticals And Suggested Answers” – ALS Western Zone CLE Conference - March 2011.
• “Sexual Assault Trial Directions” – Young Lawyers’ CLE - August 2010 and Legal Aid NSW CLE Conference.
• “Criminal Jurisdiction – A Very Brief Outline” – ALS Western Zone CLE Conference - August 2009.
• “Preparing For a Hearing in the Local Court” – ALS Staff Training Redfern office April 2009.
• “Race To Win – Revisiting The Trifecta In The World After LEPRA” ALS State Conference - August 2006
• “Kids Charged With Sex Offences – Some Recurring Themes” Children’s Legal Service CLE Conference - September 2005.
• “Committals Hypotheticals” Young Lawyers CLE - June 2004 and Legal Aid NSW CLE Conference - 2002.
• “Lance Carr For Kids” Children’s Legal Service CLE Conference - July 2004.
• “Lessons From Lance Carr” ALS Staff Training - June 2002.
• “Brief Service Provisions: A Discussion Paper” ALS State Conference - August 2001.
• "Bail and Young People” – Children’s Legal Service CLE Conference - December 2000.
• “Defending The Trifecta: Shortening The Odds” ALS State Conference - June 2000.

Some cases of note

• R v Sumpton [2014] NSWSC 1432

• Poidevin v Semaan  (2013) 85 NSWLR 758, (2013) 235 A Crim R 481, [2013] NSWCA 334

• Hammond v R (2013) 85 NSWLR 313, (2013) 231 A Crim R 373, [2013] NSWCCA 93

• Chapman v R (2013) 232 A Crim R 500, [2013] NSWCCA 91
• Lawson v Dunlevy [2012] NSWSC 48
• Ingham v R [2011] NSWCCA 88
• Morrison v R (2009) 197 A Crim R 103 ; [2009] NSWCCA 211
• Gordon-King v R (2008) 192 A Crim R 448 ; [2008] NSWCCA 335
• Hanza v R (2008) 191 A Crim R 448 ; [2008} NSWCCA 288
• Dean v R (2006) 166 A Crim R 341 ; [2006] NSWCCA 341
• DPP v Carr (2002) 127 A Crim R 151 ; [2002] NSWSC 194

For further details or enquiries regarding Mark Dennis’ areas of expertise, fees and terms of engagement please contact his Clerk.

CONTACT HERE