Admitted: 1975

Anthony is a senior barrister

• specialising in criminal law, traffic accident prosecutions, parole hearings and Mental Health Act applications
• He has extensive trial experience in both the District Court and High Court
• He has appeared in over 49 appeals including in four criminal appeals in the Privy Council in London, England. In three of the Privy Council appeals he appeared as sole or senior counsel
• He is a past President of the Criminal Bar Association
• He is a past criminal law specialist member of the Council of the New Zealand Bar Association
• He has been a presenter at continuing education seminars for criminal lawyers such as are provided by the Legal Research Foundation
• He is a contributing author to the textbook Adams on Criminal Law
• In 2013 and 2014 he was a faculty member of the New Zealand Law Society’s Litigation Skills Programme

Anthony has on many occasions advised people who are not under arrest but who are being investigated by prosecuting agencies such as the police.  His vast experience in dealing with police officers and up to the minute knowledge of the law enable him to guide clients through the investigation process. He can inform you of your rights and obligations in relation to police interviews.

No matter is too small for him. He is able to assist you whether the allegation is shoplifting or careless driving or rape or murder. Anthony is a problem solver.  He can negotiate police diversion or a police caution where that is the solution to your problem. He can plea bargain on your behalf where the charge can be reduced to one less serious. He has successfully applied for many discharges without conviction where the consequences of a conviction would have serious implications for his clients.

He is fearless in representing his clients at trial. Where you are pleading not guilty he will turn over every stone in your defence. Anthony is always alert to the possibility of calling expert witnesses for the defence. He takes an intense interest in developments in forensic science. In a trial which involved mistaken identification of his client as the offender Anthony persuaded a High Court Judge to rule for the first time that facial mapping evidence by an expert is admissible evidence in the courts of New Zealand. Facial mapping involves using a computer to compare a photograph of an offender with one of the accused to see if they match.

In 2012 Anthony served on the Crown Solicitor reports of two expert witnesses, one a specialist doctor and one a forensic computer specialist. The police made some brief further enquiries and the Crown Solicitor then dropped a very serious charge of sexual offending.

If the police have acted illegally in obtaining evidence against you that may lead to the police not being allowed to rely on that evidence. In 2012 Anthony persuaded the Court of Appeal to rule inadmissible evidence of information on a computer where the police had acted illegally in obtaining it.  In the face of that decision the Crown Solicitor dropped the charges.

Anthony understands that facing a criminal prosecution is one of the most stressful situations a person can experience. He will help you through the process. You can rely on the fact that he always gives one hundred per cent effort to his cases.

He is on the panel of lawyers approved to represent people in Auckland on applications under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.

Anthony will travel to all towns and cities in New Zealand from Invercargill to Kaitaia to appear in court on your behalf. He is willing to represent you privately or as your preferred counsel on legal aid.