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Shortland Chambers’ members are independent practitioners who share facilities and resources in a collegial environment. Their key drivers are ethics, professionalism and a desire to best serve the interests of clients.
Members are retained by a wide range of solicitors from leading law firms to sole practitioners and corporate counsel throughout New Zealand and overseas. Given that many leading litigators practice from Shortland Chambers, it is not uncommon for members to act as opposing counsel.
The breadth of experience within chambers enables cross-disciplinary teams of barristers to be assembled at different levels of experience to manage complex disputes.
Shortland Chambers is supported by a group of junior barristers who provide research and analysis as required. Many of the juniors are former judges’ clerks and all are
highly regarded.
In most circumstances, barristers must be instructed by solicitors although there are some exceptions. Specific enquiries may be directed to individual barristers or to their personal assistants. More detailed information can be found below on our FAQs page.
Shortland Chambers does not operate with clerks. Rates and briefs are negotiated directly with counsel. If in any doubt, please contact our Chambers Manager for assistance.
Frequently asked questions
In urgent or special circumstances you may first speak directly to a barrister. If you decide to engage a barrister, in most cases a solicitor will need to be instructed. Specific enquiries may be directed to individual barristers or to their personal assistants. If in any doubt, please feel free to contact our Chambers Manager in the first instance for advice.
A King’s Counsel is a barrister whose professional work has been given special acknowledgement by the Crown. ‘Taking silk’ (wearing a special silk gown) has been a way of recognising excellence in New Zealand advocacy. There have been 282 King’s Counsel appointed in New Zealand, many of whom have gone on to become judges. There are currently 18 Shortland Chambers’ members who have been acknowledged as King’s Counsel. In addition, a number of Shortland Chambers members have become judges of the Court of Appeal, the High Court of New Zealand and the District Court.
Shortland Chambers has several member barristers who are accredited mediators and very experienced in alternative dispute resolution. Members who act as mediators are listed here or contact our Chambers Manager for further information.
The key difference is that barristers largely confine their practise to disputes, advice and court work. Some are also accredited mediators. It is possible in New Zealand to practise either as a barrister and solicitor or as a barrister sole. Barristers sole may, with a few exceptions, accept instructions only from a solicitor. Your regular solicitor may well be your first port of call. All members of Shortland Chambers are barristers sole and specialise in litigation and disputes. Unlike solicitors, barristers sole are not permitted to practise in law firms and must not receive or hold money or other valuable property for or on behalf of another person. For further information about these roles: https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/for-lawyers/legal-practice
Barristers at Shortland Chambers are all self-employed sole practitioners operating within Chambers, sharing facilities and infrastructure.
Barristers at Shortland Chambers practice at all levels of the court system, as well as in specialist tribunals. For more information about NZ courts: http://www.justice.govt.nz/courts.
Look for a barrister with the appropriate level of experience in the area of your dispute and with a good reputation and track record. You may be involved with your barrister for a long time, so it’s important to select someone with whom you have an affinity. You are welcome to speak to more than one Shortland Chambers barrister. Our Chambers’ website enables you to select a number of barristers who might be able to help your case so that you can compare them. Shortland Chambers members cover 18 areas of practice. Only barristers of the highest calibre are accepted as members of Shortland Chambers.
Barristers are dispute specialists. They act for clients involved in disputes and provide expert assistance with resolving them. They will advise clients about their rights and if a case will need to be resolved via the court system or would be more appropriately settled through mediation or arbitration. Your barrister can also provide an expert opinion on what the court may or may not do. Bearing in mind that many cases are resolved before they reach final trial. Barristers are also involved with negotiating settlements of disputes.
The most efficient first step is often to provide a clear chronological summary of your issues. You can then discuss with your barrister your issues and objectives. From there you and your barrister can discuss the best type of approach to your problem and whether there are alternative options for resolving your dispute, such as mediation or arbitration. You may wish to ask about the likely time frame, how frequently your barrister will communicate with you, and how accessible they will be.
Barristers at Shortland Chambers are all self-employed sole practitioners operating within Chambers, sharing facilities and infrastructure.
Barristers at Shortland Chambers practice in both civil and serious criminal law.
Yes, it happens very frequently that our barristers find themselves acting as opposing counsel, as they are in high demand by solicitors in Auckland and throughout New Zealand. Confidentiality in documentation and communications is regarded as paramount and is strictly maintained at Shortland Chambers.
