The Barristers
Christopher Stevenson KC is senior criminal defence barrister with more than 25 years of experience.
He has been defence counsel in many significant trials, including the "Urewera Four” trial, multiple major homicide trials (achieving a number of unlikely acquittals), and is currently acting in cases involving "Mr Big" stings and the historic 1987 Red Fox Tavern robbery and murder.
In recent years, Christopher has developed a reputation for exposing some of New Zealand’s worst miscarriages of justice. He has successfully challenged numerous murder convictions, including Te Wini, Smith, Lyttle, and Fawcett in the Court of Appeal, and Ahsin in the Supreme Court. This year he appears in the Supreme Court in two further high-profile homicide appeals.
Christopher has acted in many landmark cases which have helped shape the criminal law in New Zealand. He has also appeared in the Privy Council, Coroners Court, professional disciplinary tribunals, and conducted complex and trans-national civil litigation.
Christopher represents defence counsel on a range of committees and working groups and co-founded Te Matakahi | New Zealand Defence Lawyers Association. The organisation now has a major membership across the country, hosts an annual conference, offers training opportunities for criminal defence practitioners, and regularly acts as an intervenor in significant criminal law cases.
Christopher graduated from Otago University with a Bachelor Laws and Bachelor Arts (English) in 1996. He is also a former refugee support worker, a long time international member of the American Defence Lawyers Association, and has presented educative seminars on topics such as: propensity evidence, cross-examination, conducting appeals, and representing clients with cognitive impairments.
Contact details:
cstevenson@xtra.co.nz
P: (04) 499 2600
M: 027 2333363
Elizabeth Hall specialises in criminal law. A graduate of Otago University she was admitted to the bar in 1998 and has appeared in all courts within NZ jurisdiction including the Privy Council and the Supreme Court. Elizabeth has acted as intervenor in the Court of Appeal in Zhang (methamphetamine sentencing) and on guilty plea discounts in sentencing (April 2020) and in murder sentencing. She has contributed to the development of New Zealand law substantively.
Elizabeth has successfully defended at trial clients charged with every manner of criminal charge - from murder, terrorism, sexual violence, aggravated robbery, fraud. Elizabeth has achieved success in the appeal courts - overturning murder, sexual violation, serious assault convictions. Elizabeth is known for her tenacity and unfailing commitment to her clients.
Elizabeth is the co-founder of Te Matakahi - Defence Lawyers Association. She is a faculty member of the Litigation Skills programme and an active committee member for the NZ Law Society and the Wellington District Law Society. Elizabeth was the sole prosecutor for Wellington for the SPCA from 2010 until 2018. In 2012 Elizabeth was the recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medallion to recognise her volunteer work.
Contact details:
elizabeth@elizabethhall.co.nz
P: (04) 9399039
M: 021 891199
Peter Ross. A graduate of Victoria University, Peter was admitted to the bar in 2011, and has practised law in the Wellington region since then.
Peter frequently appears in all of the Wellington Courts, appearing as counsel in jury and judge-alone trials. He has successfully defended criminal matters involving violence, dishonesty, sexual crimes, drugs, firearms, and driving matters. Peter also has a successful appeal practice - appealing bail decisions, sentences, and convictions
Peter has enthusiasm, passion, and unwavering commitment to getting the best possible outcome for his clients.
Contact details:
peter@pjross.co.nz
P: (04) 527 3083
M: 027 579 6903
Julia Spelman
Ngāti Hikairo ki Kāwhia | Waikato
Julia is a skilled and dedicated court advocate known for providing clear, accessible legal advice. She specialises in defending serious criminal matters, including drug charges, violence, sexual assault, and homicide. Her experience extends to parole hearings, inquests, and appeals. Julia accepts private instructions and is an approved legal aid provider for PAL 4 and Court of Appeal/Supreme Court matters. Julia is also a Youth Advocate at the Porirua Youth Court.
From 2019 to 2023, Julia was appointed as Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care. She appeared in six public hearings, including as lead counsel in the Māori public hearing. She is currently representing Lake Alice survivors who are seeking redress through the torture redress scheme.
Julia is committed to social justice and criminal justice reform. She is a founder and former Chair of JustSpeak, co-convenor of the Criminal Law Committee of Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (the Māori Law Society), and a member of the Executive Committee of Te Matakahi – Defence Lawyers Association of New Zealand. She is also co-chair of the Board of Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley.
He rōia kōrero Māori a Julia. Ki te hiahiatia tētahi rōia e ngākau hihiri ana ki te reo me ngā tikanga, whakapā mai.
Julia is a speaker of te reo Māori and welcomes any opportunity to work with clients who are learning or speak Māori.
Contact details:
M: 021 08906353
Stephen Parry