Who we are
Meet the people who prosecute serious crime on behalf of the Victorian community
Director of Public Prosecutions
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is responsible for beginning, preparing, and conducting serious criminal matters in Victoria, on behalf of the Victorian community.
The DPP is supported by Crown Prosecutors’ Chambers – led by the Chief Crown Prosecutor – and the Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) – led by the Solicitor for Public Prosecutions.
The DPP is an independent statutory officer, appointed by the Governor in Council. The DPP is responsible to the Attorney-General for their performance and use of their power.
In performing their role, the DPP must consider:
- justice and fairness
- the need to conduct prosecutions in an effective, economic, and efficient manner
- the need to ensure that the prosecution system appropriately considers the concerns of victims of crime.
The Policy of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Victoria is an important part of accountability and transparency.
The DPP also has a leadership role in the criminal justice system and contributes to law reform in Victoria. You can read the DPP’s Policy Paper on Proposed Reforms to Reduce Further Trauma to Victims and Witnesses here.
Crown Prosecutors' Chambers
The Crown Prosecutors’ Chambers is made up of the Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP) and Crown Prosecutors, who are experienced criminal barristers.
The CCP is an independent statutory officer appointed by the Governor in Council.
The CCP:
- manages Crown Prosecutors following the direction of the DPP
- ensures that Crown Prosecutors function effectively, efficiently and economically
- appears in complex cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and the High Court, on behalf of the DPP.
Crown Prosecutors are independent statutory appointees who work exclusively for the DPP.
Crown Prosecutors:
- appear in court on behalf of the DPP in some of the most serious cases
- have authority to make certain decisions on behalf of the DPP
- have authority to sign indictments to bring accused people to trial.
List of Crown Prosecutors:
Acting Chief Crown Prosecutor
Mark Gibson KC
Senior Crown Prosecutors
Nanette Rogers SC
Raymond Gibson KC
Patrick Bourke KC
Elizabeth Ruddle KC
Kristie Churchill SC
David Glynn SC
Crown Prosecutors
Jim Shaw
Daniel Porceddu
Nadia Kaddeche
Penelope Thorp
Erin Ramsay
Catherine Parkes
Jeremy McWilliams
Kathryn Hamill
Angela Moran
Grant Hayward
Sarah Lenthall
Liam McAuliffe
Jordan Johnston
To speak to a Crown Prosecutor, please contact Chambers on 9603 7666.
Office of Public Prosecutions
The Office of Public Prosecutions (OPP) is Victoria’s largest criminal legal practice.
The OPP is made up of solicitors, social workers, legal support staff, and corporate and executive services staff who work in different specialist areas. You can find our organisational chart here.
The OPP prepares and conducts indictable (serious) criminal matters on behalf of the DPP. The OPP also provides advice to external agencies, litigates proceeds of crime and contributes to law reform, all on behalf of the DPP.
OPP solicitors and social workers from the Victims and Witness Assistance Service (VWAS) support victims and witnesses during the court process.
The Solicitor for Public Prosecutions (SPP) manages the staff and budget of the OPP. The SPP is an executive appointment under the Public Administration Act 2004. The SPP is responsible for briefing Crown Prosecutors, private barristers, and OPP solicitor advocates to appear in court on behalf of the DPP.
In performing these functions, the SPP must appropriately consider the concerns of victims of crime.
Our Vision, Mission and Values
Our Vision
We lead with purpose and impact in the criminal justice system.
We deliver effective outcomes for the community, underpinned by integrity and driven by legal expertise, digital technology and innovation.
We empower our people and value their collective contribution to our mission.
Our Mission
We deliver high quality prosecution services independently, fairly and efficiently for the Victorian community.
Our Values
Our values are our core beliefs about how we should behave and how we do things. Our culture is shaped by these values through their influence on our attitudes and actions.
- Trust
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Accountability
Our Strategic Priorities for 2026–2029.
Brendan Kissane KC
Director of Public Prosecutions
Brendan Kissane KC is the Director of Public Prosecutions for Victoria. Brendan was appointed in September 2024.
Brendan holds a Master of Laws, Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne. Brendan signed the Bar Roll and commenced work as a Barrister in 1985. He has principally worked in Criminal law apart from time spent as a member of the Refugee Review Tribunal between 1995 and 2002.
Brendan was appointed as a Crown Prosecutor in 2007 and became Senior Counsel in 2014. He was appointed as a Senior Crown Prosecutor in 2015 and appointed the Chief Crown Prosecutor in March 2018.
Chief Crown Prosecutor
Diana Piekusis KC was the former Chief Crown Prosecutor for Victoria from September 2024 to February 2026.
Mark Gibson KC is currently Acting Chief Crown Prosecutor.
Abbey Hogan
Solicitor for Public Prosecutions
Abbey Hogan is the Solicitor for Public Prosecutions in Victoria. Abbey was appointed in February 2020.
Abbey holds a Bachelor of Laws from La Trobe University and a Bachelor of Arts from RMIT University.
Abbey has worked as a lawyer in various roles across the Office of Public Prosecutions since 2003, including in general prosecutions, drugs, appeals, and policy and specialised legal. As the manager of policy and specialised legal, Abbey oversaw the development of the OPP’s knowledge management system OPPedia.
Further information
In this video, we meet the people who prosecute serious crime in Victoria.