With over 50 years and 13,000 cases experience, John and Xavier are the proven leading defence lawyers, for both local and interstate matters.
Lawyers you can trust to support you, in life’s most difficult moments.
About Us
John D Weller
John D Weller developed a passion for becoming a defence criminal lawyer from a very young age. As a child, he was connected to a leading Queen's Counsel in Victoria who defended the notorious Squizzy Taylor, a prominent figure in Melbourne's criminal underworld. This early exposure fueled John's dedication to criminal law.
Graduating at a young age from Melbourne University, John quickly established a thriving criminal law practice. By his early 20s, he was already handling significant cases, including murder trials. Amidst the dramatic gang warfare in Melbourne, which saw many of his clients killed, John decided to relocate with his young children to the Northern Rivers region. Despite the move, his reputation led clients from Sydney and Melbourne to seek his expertise, and John has since appeared in courts across all states, from local courts to the High Court.
John now resides in the Byron Bay area, where he meets clients in a relaxed environment. He continues to defend local community members on various charges, including driving offenses, drug-related charges, and violent crimes, while also traveling interstate for major criminal cases. Drawing on over 50 years of experience and having handled over 13,000 cases, John provides top-tier legal advice to his clients.
Xavier Hanckel-Spice
Xavier has been working with John Weller since the age of 14, driven by an early interest in law. Mentored by John, Xavier pursued his legal studies at the Australian National University in Canberra. During his studies, he distinguished himself by coaching Australian Federal Police in criminal court procedures.
Upon completing his studies, Xavier briefly worked with John before spending over a year with the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW in Redfern and Lismore. In early 2023, Xavier returned to work with John, focusing his practice on organized crime and drug-related charges.
Major cases
Landmark Maintenance Case
John Weller gained international attention when he won a groundbreaking maintenance case for a single father in the 1970s. At a time when such cases were almost unheard of, John represented a man whose ex-partner, the mother, was working, challenging the traditional norms of the era. This case broke new ground and attracted substantial publicity. In interviews, John emphasized that this victory was a testament to the growth of women's liberation, arguing that gender should not be a factor in legal or workplace jurisdictions.
High Court Victory: Preserving the Right to Silence
John also achieved a significant victory in the High Court against the reigning government and the Australian Crime Commission. In the case of X7 (link), John successfully preserved the right to silence for accused persons, a fundamental principle of criminal law. This case reinforced the protections afforded to individuals within the justice system and showcased John's unwavering commitment to upholding legal rights.