Tim Lowe practises principally in criminal defence, with substantial experience in public and administrative law, coronial inquests and inquiries, and intentional torts. He has more than 25 years’ advocacy experience and came to the New South Wales Bar in 2022.

He is regularly briefed in serious criminal matters, appearing led and unled in trials, hearings, bail, sentence and appellate proceedings.

His background in operational policing, investigation, prosecution, legal practice and senior management gives him a practical understanding of police powers, investigative process and briefs of evidence. He uses that experience to test the legality and quality of investigations, the reliability of evidence and the strength of the prosecution case.

His broader practice includes administrative merits review, particularly firearms, security, occupational licensing and Working with Children matters, as well as coronial proceedings, public inquiries and intentional tort claims.

“My approach is straightforward: understand the evidence thoroughly, identify the real issues and put the client’s case clearly, persuasively and with determination.”

R v White [2025] NSWCCA 111

Tim appeared for former Senior Constable Kristian White at trial and on the Crown sentence appeal, led by Troy Edwards SC and instructed by Warwick Anderson of Anderson Boemi Lawyers. The matter arose from Mr White’s manslaughter conviction following the fatal Taser use on 95-year-old Clare Nowland.

The Court of Criminal Appeal dismissed the Crown appeal, leaving the two-year community correction order in place. The judgment is significant for non-custodial manslaughter sentencing and the limits of Crown sentence-appeal intervention. Read the judgment.

Selected Cases and Inquests

The following matters are a small cross-section of Tim’s practice:

Criminal Defence

• R v Jonathan and Oscar Beard — Ongoing brief for both accused, led by Troy Edwards SC, in a lengthy summary trial alleging assault by former Detective Superintendent Beard and his son.
• R v Singh (NSW District Court, 2026) — Appeared unled in a sexual assault jury trial against senior counsel for the Crown; acquitted.
• R (Cth) v Zane Elassadi (NSW Local Court, 2025) — Appeared unled in a Commonwealth proceeds-of-crime prosecution involving complex evidentiary and mens rea issues; acquitted.
• R v Hooper (NSW Local Court, 2025) — Domestic violence charges dismissed; significant costs order made after findings of no reasonable cause and inadequate investigation.
• R v Thompson and Valesini (NSW Local Court, 2026) — Appeared unled for Police Constable Thompson on assault charges concerning a 95-year-old man; acquitted after a lengthy trial involving contested admissibility and culpability issues.
• R v Benson (NSW District Court, 2024) — Appeared unled in a jury trial involving allegations against a gymnastics coach and complex pre-trial evidence

The result in Hooper reflects a broader feature of Tim’s defence practice: securing substantial costs orders where cross-examination exposes inadequate investigation or proceedings commenced without reasonable cause.

Administrative Review

Appeared unled for applicants in the following reported reviews, each resulting in a successful or substantially successful outcome:

• Tricon Builders Pty Ltd v Secretary of the Department of Customer Service; Nahas v Secretary of the Department of Customer Service [2025] NSWCATOD 128 — Penalties totalling $109,000 set aside and replaced with cautions and a limited educational condition. Judgment.
• Small v Commissioner of Police, NSW Police Force [2024] NSWCATAD 134 — Firearms-licence refusal set aside and remitted; fitness, prior history, public interest and risk. Judgment.
• Sharpe v Commissioner of Police, NSW Police Force [2023] NSWCATAD 178 — Firearms-licence refusal set aside and licence ordered; adverse history, credibility and public-safety risk. Judgment.
• Ellis v Commissioner of Police, NSW Police Force [2023] NSWCATAD 264 — Firearms-licence refusal set aside and licence ordered; mental health, prior incidents and future risk. Judgment.
• Ying v Commissioner of Police, NSW Police Force [2023] NSWCATAD 295 — Firearms-licence refusal set aside despite firearms theft and admitted storage failures. Judgment.
• FHK v Children’s Guardian [2022] NSWCATAD 376 — Working with Children Check refusal set aside and clearance ordered; untested allegations and risk. Judgment.

Coronial Inquests

• Inquest into the Death of Clare Nowland — Appeared for Kristian White, instructed by Anderson Boemi Lawyers; fatal Taser use in aged
• Inquest into the Disappearance and Suspected Death of Theo Hayez — Appeared for the Commissioner of Police, led by Dr Claire Palmer; missing-person investigation, searches and telecommunications evidence.
• Inquest into the Death of Narayan Rodwell — Appeared unled for the Commissioner of Police; police pursuit and operational response.
• Inquest into the Death of Sky Heffernan — Appeared unled for the Commissioner of Police as solicitor advocate; pursuit and Safe Driving Policy issues.
• Inquest into the Death of Jackson Stacker — Appeared unled for the Commissioner of Police and lead investigator; adequacy of response and investigation.
• Inquest into the Death of BW — Appeared unled for two NSW Police officers; child-at-risk intervention, suicide, policy and interagency guidelines.
• Inquest into the Death of Hilal Barbour — Appeared unled for the Commissioner of Police and involved officers; fatal police shooting, operational response and training.
• Inquest into the Death of Jesse Beacon — Appeared unled for the Commissioner of Police and three officers; fatal police shooting.
• Inquest into the Death of Hugh Knox — Briefed for the Commissioner of Police and two officers; death in custody and police response.