The team at Astor Legal is led by Avinash Singh, who is one of the few lawyers in Australia to have been listed by the Law Society as an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law. We have expert knowledge in both criminal and traffic law. Our firm is focused on you, the client, and we work hard to gain the best outcome for your case.
Before becoming the Principal Lawyer at Astor Legal, Avinash Singh appeared for some of Australia’s most prominent sportspeople, including Olympians and National Rugby League (NRL) players. A highly sought-after advocate, Mr Singh’s client list has included the likes of rugby league great Andrew Johns.
Our lawyers have built a reputation as a formidable criminal defence team who are well-respected by both Magistrates and Judges. Our clients benefit from thorough preparation and our persuasive manner in Court.
At Astor Legal, we provide everyday people with the quality of legal representation usually reserved for Australia’s elite. We also offer fixed fees wherever possible so you know what your legal costs will be upfront – and there are no surprises.
Contact us now to see how we can assist you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Astor Legal is led by Avinash Singh, who is one of the few lawyers in Australia to have been listed by the Law Society as an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law. We have expert knowledge in both criminal and traffic law. Our firm is focused on you, the client, and we work hard to gain the best outcome for your case.
Before becoming the Principal Lawyer at Astor Legal, Avinash Singh appeared for some of Australia’s most prominent sportspeople, including Olympians and National Rugby League (NRL) players. A highly sought-after advocate, Mr Singh’s client list has included the likes of rugby league great Andrew Johns.
Our lawyers have built a reputation as a formidable criminal defence team who are well-respected by both Magistrates and Judges. Our clients benefit from thorough preparation and our persuasive manner in Court.
At Astor Legal, we provide everyday people with the quality of legal representation usually reserved for Australia’s elite. We also offer fixed fees wherever possible so you know what your legal costs will be upfront – and there are no surprises.
Contact us now to see how we can assist you. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Principal Lawyer
Avinash Singh is the Principal Lawyer of Astor Legal.
He is one of Australia’s most respected and highly sought-after lawyers, having represented some of Australia’s elite sportspeople including Olympians & National Rugby League (NRL) players.
Mr Singh commenced his legal career over ten years ago as a law clerk with some of Australia’s most well-known barristers. There he worked on some of the country’s most prolific cases.
He was able to learn first-hand from Senior Counsel & Queens Counsel the techniques used by them to analyse voluminous and complex material and develop successful case strategies.
Upon his admission he began honing his advocacy skills in courtrooms throughout New South Wales and has built a reputation as one of the Australia’s most fearsome advocates.
Some of Mr Singh’s most notable and highest profile cases include:
Mr Avinash Singh is respected by Judges and Magistrates as a persuasive advocate. He has an exceptional record in having clients found ‘not guilty’ as well as avoiding criminal convictions if they choose to plead guilty. Mr Singh is often able to negotiate to have charges dismissed or downgraded when other lawyers cannot.
He has recognised by the Law Society as an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law. This is a title that less than 6% of lawyers in Australia have been honoured with, putting him in a truly elite bracket. This achievement was made all the more impressive as he achieved this title before the age of 30.
He has since been appointed to the Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee. This is the body that develops & conducts the assessments for lawyers who are applying to be Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law. Mr Singh is the exclusive criminal law expert for a number of organisations including Leaders in Law and Advisory Excellence.
Other members of the profession often seek out his advice on complex legal matters. His success has seen him be recognised in television, radio, online and print media. Journalists regularly contact him for his legal expertise on breaking news and legal developments.
There is a high level of demand for Mr Singh’s services. If you wish to have a consultation with him, please contact our office on (02) 7804 2823 or send us an email at [email protected] to arrange an appointment.
Lawyer
Nandita has been with Astor Legal since 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Business from University of Technology, Sydney. She further completed the Nationally Accredited Mediator Training Program and passed the National Mediation Assessment. Currently, she is completing a Masters of Applied Laws.
Prior to joining Astor Legal, Nandita worked in the finance department of one of the ‘big four’ banks. This allowed her to develop a unique skillset, particularly in relation to complex fraud and white collar crime matters.
Since joining Astor Legal Nandita has gained experience in all aspects of criminal law, including domestic violence, AVOs, assaults, traffic offences, complex frauds and sexual offences. She specialises in domestic violence and AVO cases and holds an impressive track record in having these cases dropped before they reach the hearing date. She has done this through meticulous preparation and drafting of legal documents including statements, affidavits, AVO & bail variations and representations to Police.
Clients regularly commend Nandita for her excellent efforts to go above and beyond to ensure they are well informed throughout the process. Her empathetic and thoughtful approach ensures the highest quality of legal services for her clients.
Outside of the office, Nandita organises hampers for vulnerable members of the community at the Women’s Shelters throughout western Sydney.
Nandita is also fluent in Punjabi and Hindi.
Nandita is a valuable member of our criminal defence team.
Criminal Defense
Our Client is a 22-year-old university student from Sydney.
He attended a nightclub in Sydney CBD where he met a female on the dancefloor. While dancing the pair kissed. Unfortunately for our client, the female’s boyfriend was in the nightclub and became aware of what happened.
Later in the night the female’s boyfriend confronted our client along with a friend of his. A fight ensued which resulted in security guards stepping in and separating the parties. Police attended a short time later where the female claimed that our client had, without consent, put his hands inside her jeans and underwear and sexually assaulted her while they were dancing.
The female, her boyfriend and two of their friends also told police that our client had assaulted them by throwing punches before security separated the parties. He was charged with sexual touching and common assault.
Our client came to us distraught after receiving advice from numerous other lawyers that the charge could not be defended because of the number of witnesses who were supporting the female.
We took a different view.
We carefully analysed the statements of each of the witnesses and were able to identify inconsistencies in their versions. We also identified a failure by police to interview or even speak to the security guards – let alone obtain statements from them.
We then commenced planning our defence strategy over a number of months. We undertook significant preparation by highlighting areas of cross-examination and setting traps in our questioning designed to show the evidence of the witnesses and complainant was implausible or impossible.
The matter proceeded at Downing Centre Local Court.
We cross-examined the complainant and were able to meticulously draw out inconsistencies between her evidence and what she had written in her police statement. Our cross-examination of the other witnesses was able to identify further inconsistencies between their evidence and that of the complainant. The hearing spanned over two days and after our cross-examination of two of the female’s friends, the fourth refused to give evidence.
In the result, not only were the charges dismissed against our client with the Magistrate finding that she had significant doubts about the reliability of their evidence, but costs were also ordered against police based on their failure to interview or speak to the security guards.
Our Client and his family were overjoyed with the result and can now move on with their lives.
Criminal Defense
Our client is a 28-year-old software engineer living with her partner. Police were called to their house after the partner called 000 and alleged he had been slapped.
When police attended, the partner told officers that our client was intoxicated and had got into an argument with him. In the course of this argument it was alleged that she had slapped him in the face.
Following this, police charged our client with common assault and applied for an AVO which included a condition that she not be in the presence of the PINOP within 12 hours of consuming alcohol.
The complainant initially contacted us after reading our guide on how to get an AVO dropped and asked us to assist the defendant in any way we could. Upon speaking to the defendant it became apparent that she was distraught at the prospect of the charge and AVO affecting her employment and future career prospects.
We immediately got to work by arranging an independent lawyer to speak to the complainant and prepare a retraction statement with him.
Following this we drafted detailed representations to police seeking the withdrawal of the charge and AVO. Because our client had instructed us early on, we were able to file representations well before to the first court date.
The case was listed at Sutherland Local Court. Prior to this date, our criminal lawyers in Sutherland contacted the domestic violence liaison officer and commenced negotiations.
Ultimately, Police were persuaded through our negotiations to withdraw both the charge and the AVO prior to the court date.
Our client and her partner were ecstatic with the result and have been able to move forward with their lives.
Criminal Defense
Last week Astor Legal appeared at Fairfield Local Court in relation to a detention application.
Our client was on a 2 year Intensive Corrections Order (ICO) for a number of serious drug charges and property offences.
When he was 3 months into the order he was charged with further drug offences. At that time, we had appeared at Central Local Court and made a successful bail application. His bail conditions included a residence condition and that he not consume any prohibited drugs.
Unfortunately, during lockdown he had struggled with mental health problems and resorted to drug use. Police stopped him after surveillance noticed him leaving a known drug premises. He was searched and police found prohibited drugs as well as identification documents on his person.
He was charged with these matters and as well as a breach of a public health order for leaving a locked down LGA without a reasonable excuse.
His family contacted us and we began preparing to oppose the detention application which was listed the next day.
We appeared at Fairfield Local Court and made detailed submissions in support of our client being released.
We tendered psychological and medical material setting out that our client would not receive adequate treatment in custody for his bipolar disorder and osteoporosis.
Despite our client’s lengthy criminal history and the fact that he had breached both his bail conditions and the ICO for similar offences, the Magistrate was persuaded to grant him bail, allowing him to re-join his family.
We are now assisting our client in enrolling in a residential rehabilitation facility.
Criminal Defense
Recently Astor Legal appeared at Downing Centre Local Court for a client who had breached a good behaviour licence.
Our client did not have the best driving record. In particular, he had offences ranging from use mobile phone while driving to speeding.
He had breached the good behaviour licence by committing a further speeding offence. He came to us concerned that a loss of licence would mean that he was no longer able to maintain his work duties or take care of his children as a single parent. As he lived in a country area he was unable to access public transport.
We immediately got to work. We obtained references from his friends and family which supported our client’s good character and need for a licence.
Our client also enrolled into a Traffic Offender Program. This allowed us to address his traffic record by submitting that he now appreciated the dangers of speeding as well as other traffic offences.
We appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on his behalf and made detailed submissions before the Presiding Magistrate. We drew upon our client’s executive government position and ambitions for further studies in law.
Despite our client’s lengthy traffic record, His Honour was persuaded to deal with the offence by way of a conditional release order without conviction. This means that our client remains on the good behaviour licence and does not face any suspension.
