Ruth Parker

Ruth Parker Experience & Expertise

Position: Principal Lawyer & Director
Firm: Galbally Parker Criminal Lawyers
Based: Melbourne, Victoria
Practice: Criminal defence
Experience with Galbally Parker: Since 2007
Education: Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Laws
Jurisdictions: Victoria and New South Wales
Areas of experience: Serious and indictable offences, homicide, violent crime, drug offences, fraud, criminal syndicate matters, criminal appeals and complex criminal proceedings

Ruth is also a member of the Law Institute of Victoria Criminal Law Executive Committee, the Law Institute of Victoria and the Young Criminal Lawyers Association of Victoria.

Criminal Defence Lawyer Melbourne

Ruth Parker is the Principal Lawyer and Director of Galbally Parker Criminal Lawyers in Melbourne. She practices exclusively in criminal defence and has extensive experience representing clients in serious and complex criminal matters, including homicide, violent crime, drug offences, fraud, criminal syndicate matters and criminal appeals.

Ruth has worked with Galbally Parker since 2007 and has represented clients in criminal proceedings across Victoria and New South Wales. She has acted in a number of high-profile and complex cases, including matters involving murder, wrongful convictions, self-defence, police informants and criminal appeals.

Principal Lawyer & Director

Ruth is the Principal criminal defence lawyer in our office and the leader of our team. She was named a leading criminal defence lawyer in Melbourne by the Doyle’s Guide in 2020 and 2021.  Similarly, the firm has been recommended by Doyle’s as a leading Victorian criminal law firm for the last three years. In September 2021, she was also named by the Herald Sun as one of Melbourne’s leading criminal lawyers in the article, ‘Melbourne’s high-flying lawyers: powerful figures on Victoria’s legal scene’. Ruth has worked in this firm since 2007, before which she worked in Barristers Chambers, the Children’s Court of Victoria, and Monash University Law School.

Ruth appears and instructs in a diverse range of criminal matters across Victoria and New South Wales. Her experience includes complex criminal syndicate matters, federal drug importation matters, violent crime, homicide, fraud and other serious indictable offences.

She regularly represents individuals charged with murder and associated offences and has particular experience in complex and serious criminal proceedings.

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Ruth Parker’s areas of criminal law experience

Ruth’s practice focuses on serious and complex criminal defence. Her experience includes:

Ruth regularly represents clients facing serious indictable charges and complex prosecutions. These matters can involve extensive evidence, multiple accused people, expert witnesses and lengthy court proceedings.

Ruth has extensive experience representing clients charged with murder, manslaughter and related offences. Her work has included both trial matters and appeals arising from serious convictions.

Ruth has represented clients challenging criminal convictions and has acted in matters involving significant questions about the reliability of evidence, procedural fairness and potential miscarriages of justice.

Her experience includes complex drug matters, including federal drug importation prosecutions and matters involving significant quantities of controlled substances.

Ruth also represents clients in fraud and other complex financial criminal matters.

Ruth has acted in complex criminal syndicate matters involving multiple accused people, extensive evidence and allegations of serious organised criminal activity.

Selected cases and significant criminal matters

Ruth has represented clients in a number of significant criminal cases throughout her career. These matters demonstrate the breadth of her experience in serious criminal defence, appeals and complex litigation.

Phillip Bracken – family violence self-defence

Between 2012 and 2014, she represented Phillip Bracken, who was charged with the murder of his de facto. He was the first person in Victoria to be acquitted at trial on the basis of the new family violence self-defence provisions.

The case involved complex evidence concerning family violence, self-defence and the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence.

Read Case Study

Moustapha Dib – criminal appeal

Between 2012 and 2016, Ruth represented Moustapha Dib, who was convicted of murder but then unanimously acquitted by the Court of Criminal Appeal. Ruth walked Mr. Dib free from Goulburn Prison in New South Wales after the Court of Criminal Appeal of New South Wales recognised that his conviction was unsafe.

The case demonstrates Ruth’s experience in challenging serious criminal convictions and representing clients through complex appellate proceedings.

Read Case Study

Mohammed Hamzy – murder and self-defence

In 2016, Ruth       represented Mohammed Hamzy, also charged with murder, who was acquitted of the murder and convicted of the alternative, manslaughter, on the basis of excessive self-defence after a Trial.

The matter involved significant questions concerning murder, manslaughter and self-defence.

Read Case Study

Ruth Parker and the Faruk Orman case

One of the most significant matters of Ruth’s career has been her representation of Faruk Orman.For 10 years, she represented Faruk Orman as he fought against his 2009 conviction for the murder of Victor Peirce in 2002. In December 2018, it was revealed that the Victoria Police had used his own barrister, Nicola Gobbo, against him and his matter attracted the attention of the public as he forcefully maintained his innocence from behind bars. Faruk’s case was significant and demonstrative of the corrupt and dishonest behaviour of the Victoria Police at that time and since. On 26 June 2019, Mr. Orman became the first person to be referred to the Court of Appeal upon appeal as a result of Ms. Gobbo and the Victoria Police’s conduct in the handling of his matter. The Honourable Attorney-General stated that she had received ‘credible evidence’ that a ‘miscarriage of justice’ may have occurred in his case and referred him directly upon appeal. This was a history making decision. The media reporting of Mr. Orman’s referral was extensive and Ruth has continued to promote his right to fairness before the Courts. She has represented and assisted him for 10 years.

Appeal Lawyers Melbourne

The Herald Sun commented on Ruth’s assistance to Faruk; ‘He found a lawyer who would defend his interests. That lawyer, Ruth Parker, has toiled with righteous indignation about the dubious circumstances of his conviction. She is the main reason that Orman is the first Lawyer X client to be granted leave to appeal his conviction by Attorney-General Jill Hennessy. The first, perhaps, of many’.   Exactly one month later, on 26 July 2019, the Court of Appeal overturned his conviction and he walked free arm in arm with Ruth and the barristers who worked together on his case.  His release made international news and legal history in Victoria. It achieved what Ruth had fought for 10 years to achieve for Faruk. Justice and freedom.

The Faruk Orman matter is an important example of Ruth’s long-term involvement in complex criminal appeals and her work representing a client through an extended and highly scrutinised legal process.

“The exact opposite of Gobbo is solicitor Ruth Parker of Galbally Rolfe, who worked for years to free Faruk Orman after he had spent more than a decade in prison. – John Silvester, October 2020

Veteran journalist and Underbelly author John Silvester wrote about Ruth’s representation of Faruk Orman following the revelations surrounding Nicola Gobbo and Victoria Police.

Read Faruk Orman’s Statement Following his Release Read Case Study

Ruth Parker and criminal appeals

Ruth’s experience extends beyond criminal trials. She has represented clients seeking to challenge convictions where questions have arisen about the safety of the conviction, the reliability of evidence or the fairness of the original proceedings.

Her work on the Faruk Orman and Moustapha Dib matters is particularly significant in demonstrating her experience with complex criminal appeals and cases involving alleged miscarriages of justice.

Ruth also led her team in May 2020 to achieve appeal bail for Zlate Cvetanovski, who had served more than a decade in custody before issues concerning Nicola Gobbo and Victoria Police arose in relation to his matter.

Learn more about our criminal appeals services

Ruth Parker’s approach to criminal defence

Ruth is passionate about prisoner welfare, human rights and the individual’s right to a fair trial. A central principle of her practice is that clients should have regular access to their legal representative and remain informed about the progress of their matter.

She believes criminal defence requires more than responding to allegations. Her approach involves understanding the individual circumstances of a client, examining the evidence and identifying the legal and factual issues that may affect the outcome of the case.

Ruth leads the Galbally Parker team with a focus on thorough preparation, strategic defence and protecting the rights of people involved in the criminal justice system.

Ruth Parker’s professional memberships

Ruth is currently a member of:

  • Law Institute of Victoria Criminal Law Executive Committee
  • Law Institute of Victoria
  • Young Criminal Lawyers Association of Victoria

Ruth Parker in the media

Ruth frequently appears in the media to discuss criminal law, criminal justice, police conduct, the Royal Commission into Police Informants and other significant criminal law issues.

Ruth has been interviewed on Sky News, Four Corners, the 7:30 Report, and every mainstream news network. She has been a regular legal media commentator on ABC Mornings with Jon Faine and then Virginia Trioli and, ABC Drive with Raf Epstein. She was the 2019  guest to be interviewed at the annual Victorian Legal Aid Criminal Connections Conference.

Her media appearances reflect her experience in complex and high-profile criminal matters and provide commentary on issues affecting the criminal justice system.

View Ruth Parker's media appearances

As Seen In

Articles and commentary featuring Ruth Parker

Ruth has been quoted or interviewed by a range of Australian media outlets and government sources on criminal law and criminal justice issues.

‘Statement On Petition For Mercy On Behalf Of Faruk Orman‘, By the Governor General, Premier of Victoria website

‘Do sex offenders deserve character references?’, By Jane Gilmore, The Daily Life, Fairfax Media, 17 April 2015

‘Death threats, kidnapping and murder: The cost of being a criminal lawyer‘ by Ava Benny-Morrison, Daily Telegraph NSW, 27 January 2018

‘Preparing for Prison‘- 4 June 2018 – Interview with ABC Darwin’s Afternoons Host Liz Trevaskis

‘Gangland Conviction to be challenged over  Informer 3838 scandal’ – by Tammy Mills, Chris Vedelago & Cameron Houston.

‘Informer 3838 scandal could give Victor Peirce murder driver Faruk Orman a shot at freedom’ – ABC News

We regularly update our media coverage and commentary as Ruth and the Galbally Parker team contribute to discussions about significant criminal law issues.

Why choose Ruth Parker as your criminal defence lawyer?

Choosing a criminal defence lawyer is an important decision, particularly when you are facing serious allegations or complex court proceedings.

Ruth’s experience includes:

  • Almost two decades with Galbally Parker
  • Extensive experience in serious and indictable criminal matters
  • Experience representing clients charged with murder and other homicide offences
  • Experience in criminal appeals and matters involving potential miscarriages of justice
  • Experience in complex drug and criminal syndicate matters
  • Experience in matters involving self-defence and family violence
  • Experience appearing across Victoria and New South Wales
  • Regular media commentary on criminal law and criminal justice
  • A strong network of barristers, experts and other legal professionals

Every criminal case is different. Ruth and the Galbally Parker team assess the individual circumstances of each matter before advising on the appropriate strategy and representation.

Frequently asked questions about Ruth Parker

Ruth Parker is the Principal Lawyer and Director of Galbally Parker Criminal Lawyers in Melbourne. She specialises in criminal defence and has extensive experience in serious and complex criminal matters, including homicide, violent crime, drug offences, fraud, criminal syndicate matters and criminal appeals.

Ruth handles a broad range of serious criminal matters, with particular experience in serious and indictable offences, murder and homicide, violent crime, complex drug matters, fraud, criminal syndicate matters and criminal appeals.

Yes. Ruth Parker is a Principal criminal defence lawyer and Director of Galbally Parker Criminal Lawyers. Criminal defence is the firm’s core area of practice.

Ruth has worked at Galbally Parker since 2007. Before joining the firm, she worked in Barristers Chambers, the Children’s Court of Victoria and Monash University Law School.

Ruth is based in Melbourne and has represented clients in criminal matters across Victoria and New South Wales. She has travelled frequently between Melbourne and Sydney to appear in and instruct in criminal proceedings.

Yes. Ruth has represented clients charged with murder and associated offences, including matters involving complex evidence, self-defence and criminal appeals.

Yes. Ruth has extensive experience in criminal appeals. Her work has included representing Moustapha Dib, whose murder conviction was unanimously quashed by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, and Faruk Orman, whose conviction was overturned in 2019.

Yes. Ruth has represented clients in a number of high-profile and complex criminal matters, including the cases of Faruk Orman, Moustapha Dib, Mohammed Hamzy, Phillip Bracken and Zlate Cvetanovski.

Yes. Ruth regularly provides commentary on criminal law and criminal justice issues. She has appeared or been interviewed by outlets including Sky News, Four Corners, the 7:30 Report and ABC, as well as Australian newspapers and other media organisations.

The appropriate lawyer for a matter depends on the nature and circumstances of the case. Contact Galbally Parker to discuss your situation and the legal representation that may be appropriate.

Speak with Ruth Parker and the Galbally Parker team

If you or someone close to you is facing criminal charges, an investigation, an appeal or another serious criminal matter, early legal advice can help you understand your position and the options available.

Galbally Parker’s criminal defence lawyers can assess your circumstances and advise you about the next steps.

Book a Tele-consult

Telephone: 03 9670 8771
Email: lawyers@galballyparker.com.au

Last reviewed: August 2026

This page has been reviewed for accuracy and currency. The information provided is general in nature and should not be relied upon as legal advice for your individual circumstances.