High-profile Brisbane barrister Chris Minnery dies

Queensland’s legal fraternity has paid tribute to a prominent Brisbane barrister, father-of-two and “true gentleman” who died suddenly on Sunday night.

Brisbane lawyer Chris Minnery at the Brisbane courts precinct. File picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Well-known and respected Brisbane barrister and father of two Chris Minnery, who has appeared at some of the biggest criminal cases in Queensland’s recent history, has died suddenly.

It is understood Mr Minnery, who was aged in his mid-40s, died unexpectedly on Sunday night from what were believed to be natural causes.

He leaves behind his wife, Sarah – who is a family law barrister – and two children.

Mr Minnery had been a solicitor since 2002 before becoming a barrister in 2014 specialising in complex trials. He was in private practice at More Chambers.

Brisbane barrister Chris Minnery in 2016.

He represented notorious underworld figure and convicted murderer Vincent O’Dempsey at the ongoing inquest into the 1973 Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub inferno that claimed 15 lives.

In 2013, Mr Minnery – who was a prosecutor with the Director of Public Prosecutions at the time – lodged a sex discrimination claim against the Queensland government after he refused maternity leave after his daughter’s birth.

It was only the second discrimination case to go to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal involving a man seeking the same paid spousal leave as a woman on maternity leave.

Mr Minnery argued the issue that men who adopt or have a child through a surrogacy arrangement can get 14 weeks paid leave off work, but he, as a biological father, cannot.

Mr Minnery completed a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Biotechnology) degrees in 2001, before going on to work with the DPP between 2003 and 2014 and ending up as a Senior Crown Prosecutor.

Criminal lawyer Nick Dore, managing principal at Brisbane firm Fisher Dore, paid tribute to Mr Minnery, who he first met and worked with in 2002.

“He and I were mates on the street, we’d always have a yarn in court,” Mr Dore said.

“I did work with him on the Alva Beach coronial inquest, we spent a lot of time working together on it in Cairns in 2020.

“He was an understated gentleman, he went in hard when he had to, but he was always very polite and really impressive.

“He was a hard worker, and he wouldn’t back down – if he had a point, he would get it across.”

Mr Dore and Mr Minnery did several legal presentations together at Family Law Retreat conferences.

Brendan Beavon, principal of Beavon Lawyers, said the death came as a great shock. “It’s very sad news for the legal profession and his family. He was a great man and barrister,” he said.

Bar Association of Queensland president Damien O’Brien KC said Mr Minnery was a passionate advocate and a much-loved member of the Queensland Bar and More Chambers.

“Chris was known for going above and beyond for his clients and loved practising law,” he said.

“Apart from being a formidable advocate in court, Chris was known for having many personal qualities which endeared him to all who met him – he was funny, kind, loyal and extremely generous with his time and expertise.

“Chris would always find time to help anyone who asked for it. Chris will be very much missed.

“On behalf of all of the members of the Queensland Bar, I express my deepest sympathies to Chris’ wife, Sarah Minnery, also a member of the Queensland Bar, Chris’ two daughters and his family and friends.”

Barrister Kate Fuller said Mr Minnery was her mentor.

“It’s going to leave a big hole, he’d check in on me if I was struggling, you always felt like you had someone on your side,” she said.

“When I started he was my mentor, he almost always had the answers and if he didn’t he’d help you find them.

“He was a brilliant barrister, a brilliant bloke, who was respectful, intelligent and a great human being.

“His wife Sarah and two young girls were his world, he was one of those types of fathers, a true gentleman.

Ms Fuller said he was great at making everyone feel calm and will be remembered for running complex trials.

Originally published as High-profile Brisbane barrister Chris Minnery dies