Pranaven is an experienced criminal lawyer, particularly in the litigation of indictable crime.
Pranaven is available to appear in criminal law matters at both a trial and appellate level. He also accepts briefs in quasi-criminal matters including Occupational Health & Safety prosecutions, Serious Offender applications, Royal Commissions, inquiries, coronial inquests, disciplinary, regulatory and tribunal cases.
Pranaven first gained experience in criminal law as an intern at Robert Stary Lawyers (now Stary Norton Halphen). He was also exposed to administrative and criminal law at the Street Law program of Canberra Community Law, a community legal centre initiative for clients experiencing homelessness.
Immediately prior to coming to the Bar, Pranaven practiced as a solicitor at the Office of Public Prosecutions, Victoria (OPP). In that capacity, he prepared proceedings involving homicide, serious sexual, fraud, drug and Occupational Health & Safety offences. At the OPP, Pranaven regularly appeared in bail applications, summary jurisdiction applications and plea hearings across all jurisdictions. Most recently, Pranaven worked within the Specialist Sex Offences Unit, where he prepared matters involving a rigorous application of evidentiary rules, with a specific focus on tendency, coincidence and hearsay evidence. He also conducted hearings involving the Crimes (Mental Impairment & Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 and the Sex Offender Registration Act 2004.
Pranaven graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, with First Class Honours, and a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University in Canberra. His honours thesis examined the ambit of the offence of ‘Advocating terrorism’ within the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) and assessed the state of over-criminalisation within the Commonwealth’s anti-terrorism legal framework.
Outside of the law, Pranaven is a volunteer at the Australian Medical Aid Foundation, where he is involved in fundraising events in support of medical aid initiatives in war torn regions of Sri-Lanka. He is also a member of the Academy of Indian Music, Australia. Pranaven’s spare time is otherwise happily taken up by his two greyhounds.
Pranaven is reading with Patrick Doyle and his senior mentor is Megan Tittensor SC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
