ABOUT JUSTINIAN LEGAL
A Sydney criminal defence team led by Justin Hanby.
THE STORY
Justin Hanby has been defending people in NSW courts for more than 25 years. He has appeared at every level of the system, from the Local Court through to the High Court of Australia, and across almost every kind of criminal matter. But what has shaped his practice as much as his experience is the way he works with people.
He started out in the late 1990s working alongside one of Australia’s most prominent criminal defence lawyers. Learning early that the law is only part of what a client needs. The other part is someone who will be straight with you, stay with you, and help you understand what is actually happening, not just what the paperwork says.
In 2004, Justin founded his own practice – initially as Hanby & Associates, later rebranded as Justinian Legal in 2013. For more than two decades, he has operated as the anchor of a close team, working alongside experienced barristers, solicitors, paralegals and support staff to make sure every client gets focused, thorough representation.
CREDENTIALS
Admitted as a solicitor, Supreme Court of NSW
Founded the practice, formerly Hanby & Associates
High Court of Australia appearance – constitutional law matter
Practice rebranded to Justinian Legal
MEMBERSHIPS & APPEARANCES
APPROACH
01
We start by understanding your situation completely. What you are charged with, what happened, and what you need. No judgement, no assumptions.
02
Thorough preparation is what separates good outcomes from lucky ones. We review the brief carefully, build the strongest case possible, and make sure you know exactly what to expect.
03
Justinian Legal have appeared at every court level in NSW, from Local Court through to the High Court. That breadth of experience matters when your matter gets complex
04
We stay alongside you throughout. That means regular communication, honest updates and someone who is genuinely invested in where this ends.
THE LONG GAME
Outside of the law, Justin is an ocean swimmer. He has completed long distance, open water swims around the globe – including the English Channel, Manhattan Island, Catalina Island and back home in Tasmania and Western Australia. It is a pursuit that demands patience, preparation and the ability to keep moving when conditions are against you.
A legal matter, particularly a serious one, is rarely resolved quickly. It takes endurance. It takes someone who can pace themselves, stay focused over months, and not lose composure when the conditions change. Justin has been doing this for more than 25 years. He knows how to go the distance.
That same mindset extends to his involvement and support of the Black Dog Institute. Justin has been involved in mental health advocacy for years, understanding first hand the relationship between sustained pressure and mental well being. Justin understands this as a human being first, then as a professional working with people under extreme stress. When a client is facing a criminal matter, they are often under more stress than at any other point in their life. Justin takes that seriously, not as a professional obligation, but as someone who genuinely understands what it means to navigate a long, uncertain road.
