Ariadne French

Profile

Ariadne practises in criminal, quasi-criminal, regulatory and administrative law. In addition to delivering high-quality written and oral advocacy, Ariadne’s other priority is to be accessible to and communicative with instructors and clients. 

Experience

Ariadne has extensive experience as a criminal barrister: she has appeared both led and unled across all Victorian court jurisdictions in a variety of hearings including bail applications, committals, contested hearings, trials, pleas and appeals.

From November 2024 to December 2025, Ariadne worked as a Crown Prosecutor.  A large part of Ariadne’s role involved preparing written cases for and appearing in the Court of Appeal.

Ariadne has substantial experience advising and appear in occupational health and safety (OHS) prosecutions. She appeared in the following recent cases:

• DPP v Van Berkel Distributors Pty Ltd (County Court appeal before his Honour Judge Palmer on 17 March 2025)

Appeared on behalf of the DPP. The fine of $65,000 imposed by the Magistrates’ Court was increased to $250,000.

• R v LH Holding & Hanna [2024] VSC 90 

          Victoria’s first workplace manslaughter prosecution. Appeared as junior to Megan         Tittensor SC on behalf of the DPP.

• DPP v Jones and Anor [2023] VCC 2054 

          Victoria’s third prosecution of offending under s 32 of the OHS Act 2004. Appeared      as junior to Megan Tittensor SC on behalf of the DPP.

• VWA v Whitelock and Ors (decision of the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, 26 October 2023)

Appeared on behalf of the Victorian WorkCover Authority in its first prosecution concerning the risk of psychological injury arising from the sexual harassment of young female employees

Ariadne has appeared in the Review and Regulation List at VCAT in respect of OHS matters.

Ariadne also has experience in matters arising out of the following legislation:

• Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
• Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997
• Family Violence Protection Act 2008
• Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010
• Serious Offenders Act 2018
• Wildlife Act 1975
• Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013

Practice prior to joining the Victorian Bar

2005 – 2007; 2009 - 2010 Solicitor at the Office of Public Prosecutions

2007 – 2009 Associate to the Honourable Justice Coghlan of the Victorian Supreme Court

2002 – 2005 Solicitor in Commercial Litigation at Herbert Geer & Rundle