About Us
Meet Jay & Co Barristers and Solicitors: your trusted legal ally across criminal defence, family law, intervention orders and traffic law matters. We are committed to providing fair representation, clear advice and strong advocacy for every client.
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Maintaining Your Liberty Given every opportunity our Lawyers have.
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For reliable legal representation across criminal defence, family law, intervention orders and traffic matters, trust Jay & Co Barristers and Solicitors. Our team is committed to providing clear advice, fair representation and strong advocacy for clients navigating complex and often stressful legal matters.
Our Mission Statement
To help and serve our community by having access to high quality legal services which protects their rights.
Our Vision
“To make a meaningful impact in fighting to uphold our freedoms.”
Our Values
Honesty and Integrity with Tenacity and Compassion

Mr. Esan Pilai
Director & Principal
Criminal & Family Lawyer
“For the last 30 years, Jay & Co is a Firm that prides itself on helping members of the community have their voices heard, in accessing high quality legal services to uphold their rights; in ultimately maintaining their liberty. ”
Experience the Difference
We pride ourselves on hiring the best
When you are facing a difficult legal matter, experience, preparation and clear advice matter. Jay & Co Barristers and Solicitors provides trusted representation across criminal defence, family law, intervention orders and traffic matters, with a strong focus on protecting our clients’ rights and working toward the best possible outcome.
Mr. Esan Pilai
Director & Principal
Criminal & Family Lawyer
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws LL.B (QUT)
- Graduate Diploma Legal Practice (QUT)
Mr. Pilai is a highly experienced, well-respected, and talented lawyer with decades of experience helping both clients and other lawyers. He’s a Legal Practitioner of the Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia with relevant credentials and qualifications to conduct legal counsel in the entire country. More specifically, Mr. Pilai has valuable experience as Solicitor-Advocate in a variety of criminal matters in addition to intervention orders and motor vehicle offences.
Drawing upon his decades of experience and legal expertise, Mr. Pilai has helped numerous clients succeed in their cases. He’s won challenging cases in numerous court systems including the State and Federal jurisdiction of Victoria, New South Wales, the Queensland Magistrates’ and Children’s Courts, the Victorian County Court Sentencing Appeals and Criminal Trials, and Supreme Court Bail Appeal Matters. Recent cases Mr. Pilai has won and been involved in include:
Legal Areas of Practice
- Criminal Law
- Family Law
- Intervention Orders
- Motor Vehicle Charges
Legal Experience
- Director of Public Prosecutions v Abela [2022] VCC 941
- DPP (Cth) v Torcasio [2022] VCC 1618
- Queen v Hepponstall [2022] VCC 705
- DPP (Cth) v White [2020] VCC 1846
- DPP V Myaker & Ors [2020] VCC 1054
- DPP v Wilson [2020] VCC 1177
- Director of Public Prosecutions v Niap [2016] VCC 551
- R v Niap [2016] VCC 551
- DPP v Sanchez [2015] VCC 907
- DPP v Nivunhellage [2014] VCC 2359
- Sanchez v DPP (2013) VSC 707
Mr. Akshay Bhakta
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws (Deakin University)
- Bachelor of Commerce (Deakin University)
- Graduate Diploma (Leo Cussen)
As a Senior Criminal Defence and Family Lawyer at Jay & Co Barristers and Solicitors, I have developed extensive courtroom experience across a broad range of criminal matters, appearing in Magistrates Court throughout Victoria and the County court. I have also had the opportunity to instruct in the Supreme Court.
My experience includes bail applications, appeals, pleas involving serious federal offences, and I have instructed in a SORA Hearing and in trial matters both summary and committals.
I manage a diverse caseload spanning summary offences through to serious indictable matters, with a strong focus on strategic advocacy and achieving the best possible outcomes for clients.
I also have handled Family matters involving consent orders, child access arrangements, child protection applications and intervention order applications.
Now working as a Senior Lawyer, I also oversee a junior lawyer; a legal intern and assist in supporting our Principal and Director. I am committed to providing diligent and effective representation while continuing to build my expertise in criminal law.
Area of Experience
- Criminal Law
- Family Law
- Intervention Orders
- Motor Traffic Law
Ms. Raisa Alam
Criminal Defence and Family Lawyer
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws (La Trobe University)
- Bachelor of Commerce (La Trobe University)
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (Leo Cussen Centre for Law)
I am a junior lawyer practising across criminal and family law, working on a diverse range of matters spanning summary offences through to indictable matters, at Jay & Co Barristers and Solicitors.
In criminal law, I prepare submissions, undertake legal research, and appear as advocate in the Magistrates’ Court, presenting arguments on behalf of clients across bail applications, contested hearings and pleas. I correspond directly with prosecution throughout a matter, working to progress cases efficiently and to pursue the most favourable outcomes realistically available to each client.
I also work on child protection matters, supporting families as they navigate proceedings concerning their children, and recognise the particular sensitivity that this area of practice demands.. This work involves representing clients through the course of protection applications, liaising with the department’s legal representatives, and preparing for and attending and instructing conferences and hearings. I assist clients in understanding the process they are facing, work to ensure their voice is properly put before the Court, and remain conscious throughout that these matters concern not only legal outcomes, but the wellbeing and future of a family and, most importantly, of the children at its centre.
In family law, I liaise with other parties and their legal representatives in an effort to resolve matters outside the courtroom wherever this is achievable, whilst remaining well prepared to advocate for clients where court proceedings become necessary. I approach each matter with an awareness that, behind every file, is a family attempting to move forward.
Across both areas of practice, I bring a strong client focus to my work, managing files closely, organising matters methodically, and keeping clients informed and supported throughout the life of their case.
A significant part of my role involves working closely with, and assisting, my senior lawyer, instructing on matters in both the Magistrates’ Court and the County Court, and providing support across their broader caseload. Alongside this, I take an active role in the development of our intern within the practice, sharing what I have learnt as I continue to build my own experience within the profession.
Area of Experience
- Criminal Law
- Family Law
- Intervention Orders
- Motor Traffic Law
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