I provide effective, accurate and dynamic legal advice and representation. Arguing more than 300 cases before the High Court or Court of Appeal has honed my ability to structure persuasive arguments for my clients. I have extensive advocacy experience across a diverse range of subject areas.
Key Experience
Obtained discharges without conviction for private clients charged with a wide array of criminal offending, including under the Immigration Act 1993, Biosecurity Act 1996, Dog Control Act 1996, and Land Transport Act 1998 (2016 – 2020).
Appointed amicus curiae (counsel to assist) a witness in a High Court murder trial (June 2019).
Represented WorkSafe New Zealand in judge alone trials, disputed facts hearings, sentencing hearings and appeals under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, including the High Court test case of Oceana Gold (New Zealand) Ltd v WorkSafe New Zealand [2019] NZHC 365, [2019] 3 NZLR 137, (2019) 16 NZELR 503, [2019] DCR 870 (February 2019).
Updating author for Brookers Law of Transportation.
Appointed amicus curiae (counsel to assist) in a High Court judicial review proceeding: K v Family Court at Auckland [2014] NZHC 1076.
Acted as lead counsel in various appeals to the Court of Appeal, including in immigration, criminal and habeas corpus proceedings: e.g. Misiuk v Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections [2010] NZCA 480; [2011] 2 NZLR 114.
Argued in excess of 30 substantive judicial review applications both as Plaintiff and Defendant for a broad range of clients including the New Zealand Police, Department of Internal Affairs, Minister of Immigration and Chief Executive, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Handled more than 25 short notice interim orders applications in the High Court – generally for orders to prevent deportation pursuant to s 8 Judicature Amendment Act 1972.
Engaged as lead counsel for New Zealand Qualifications Authority in the first injunction proceedings brought under the Education Act 1993 in respect of an alleged cheating website.
Argued more than 100 criminal appeals on behalf of a diverse range of clients including the New Zealand Police, Customs, Department of Corrections, Department of Internal Affairs, Ministry for Primary Industries, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, WorkSafe New Zealand and New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
Accumulated a broad range of other High Court litigation experience including civil appeals, interim injunction applications, pecuniary penalty orders and applications pursuant to the Guardianship Act.
Prosecuted the Member of Parliament Taito Philip Field from 2008 to 2010 on charges of bribery and attempting to pervert the course of justice (including the preliminary hearing, four month High Court trial and the Court of Appeal hearing, as junior counsel to Simon Moore QC and David Johnstone).
Prosecuted Bradford Callaghan for the murder of Carmen Thomas and subsequent attempts to pervert the course of justice. The Police/Crown team earned a District Commander’s commendation for the meticulous attention to detail in the work done on this unique and challenging case.
Acted for the Department of Corrections in the 2011 inquest into the death of Jason Clint Palmer – the first prison officer to be killed on duty in New Zealand prison history.
Prosecuted the lawyer Davina Murray for delivering contraband to prisoner Liam Reid, secured a conviction following a two week hearing in the Auckland District Court in July 2013.
