A leading barrister from Sydney's prestigious Wentworth Chambers has been charged with assaulting his lawyer partner on two occasions and destroying her necklace. Luke Hammond, 52, faces two counts of common assault and one count of destroying or damaging property, stemming from incidents at the couple's $4 million North Bondi home in mid-July.
Police allege the assaults occurred between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, July 10, and again between 7:22 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11. It was during the second alleged incident that Hammond is accused of intentionally or recklessly destroying a necklace belonging to his partner, Amelia Avery-Williams, 39.
Hammond was arrested by Eastern Suburbs Command officers early on July 11 and subsequently charged. He was granted bail later that Saturday afternoon. As part of his bail conditions, an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) was issued on behalf of Avery-Williams. The AVO includes conditions that Hammond must not approach or be in the company of Avery-Williams within 12 hours after drinking alcohol or taking illicit drugs. It also prohibits him from assaulting, threatening, stalking, harassing, or intimidating her or anyone with whom she has a domestic relationship, as well as destroying her property or harming an animal belonging to her.
Hammond has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His case is next scheduled for mention in October.
Both barristers work at Wentworth Chambers, a highly regarded legal address in Sydney, though on different floors. Avery-Williams, a junior property counsel, works on the twelfth floor, while Hammond, a family law and estate expert, consults out of Level 2. Avery-Williams has been a barrister for over a decade, previously working as a solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons. She has experience in commercial disputes, crime, and regulatory law, and has appeared in coronial inquests and commissions of inquiry. Hammond was admitted to the NSW Bar in 2016 and specializes in equity and trusts, wills and probate, family provisions, and guardianship.
The couple purchased their North Bondi home together two years ago. In the days following Hammond's arrest and bail, the pair were observed at their home, with Avery-Williams taking an early morning swim at North Bondi beach and Hammond cycling to a local butchery for provisions.