I am a senior criminal lawyer. I have many years of experience of providing clients with realistic and easy to understand advice that is practical and focused on the client’s needs.
I have established myself as a leading specialist in criminal appellate litigation. I have appeared on many of New Zealand’s leading and reported cases in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. I have been appointed by the Court of Appeal and High Court as amicus curiae (counsel to assist the Court).
I was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1999 and joined the independent bar in 2017. Before that, I was the Public Defence Service’s General Counsel and oversaw the PDS’s appellate practice. Prior to joining the PDS, I was Crown Counsel at the Crown Law Office in Wellington, where I led appeals in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court on behalf of the Solicitor-General. I was a senior Crown prosecutor and have substantial jury trial experience in all types of serious criminal cases for both the prosecution and defence. I commenced my career as a specialist commercial and employment lawyer at a large firm in Wellington.
I was appointed a Deputy Chair of the Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal in 2016.
I am a regular presenter to the profession on behalf of the New Zealand Law Society, New Zealand Bar Association and Criminal Bar Association. I am a member of the New Zealand Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee.
Sarah is an employed barrister. She holds a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from Queen’s University Belfast and a Master of Laws with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland.
Upon relocating from Northern Ireland in 2016, Sarah began her career in Aotearoa New Zealand at the Manukau District Court, firstly as a Youth Court Registrar and later as a Judges’ Clerk. In these roles, Sarah gained diverse experience across the criminal and civil jurisdictions and cultivated a strong interest in criminal justice.
In 2021 and 2022 Sarah pursued postgraduate studies, culminating in her thesis titled “‘Crossover Young Adults’: The Case for a Neurodevelopmentally-Aware, Trauma-Informed Approach to Sentencing Young Adults with Criminal Justice and Care and Protection Involvement”. Throughout the course of her postgraduate studies, Sarah tutored Criminal Law and Legal Method.
In 2022 and 2023 Sarah held the role of Professional Teaching Fellow at the University of Auckland where she taught Law and Society.
Sarah was admitted to the roll of barristers and solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand in February 2024.
Luke is Nick’s employed barrister. Luke is an excellent advocate who represents his clients with skill at all stages of criminal proceedings. He assists with preparing and presenting Nick’s trials and appeals. Luke is currently on sabbatical completing a Master of Laws as a Fulbright Scholar.
Luke graduated from the University of Auckland in 2017. He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 2017. Luke began his career as a Judge’s Clerk at the Auckland High Court where he worked for two years on a broad range of criminal and civil cases, being exposed to complex trials and appeals.
In 2019 and 2020 Luke worked at the Manukau Office of the Public Defence Service where he represented clients facing a variety of criminal charges, including violence, drugs, and fraud charges. Luke has a particular interest in discharge without conviction applications. Luke has tutored criminal law at the University of Auckland for several years.
I am a specialist criminal defence lawyer. I accept instructions on the following matters:
I accept instructions in employment matters, including as workplace investigator.
I accept instructions in professional disciplinary proceedings.
Augusta Chambers
Level 9, 115 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, 1010
