Former member of chambers – Now Litigation Partner at Wilkinson Smith Lawyers
Admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1995,
Recent success in Court of Appeal overturning sexual violation and serious drugs convictions, client released on bail.
Chris Wilkinson-Smith has over 20 years’ experience in criminal defence and prosecution in New Zealand.
Chris has been lead counsel for a full range of criminal matters, including the Supreme Court, Jury trails for murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm, rape, sexual violation and indecent assault, allegations of historical sexual abuse, white collar crimes, drug dealing, drug cultivation and manufacture, money laundering, firearms offences, perjury and perverting the course of justice Chris has successfully appeared in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Including appeals before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court both in 2016
After a number of years as a Prosecutor he was appointed as a Senior Crown Counsel in 2000 and continued as a Crown Prosecutor until 2004. He then set up as a Defence Barrister which he has continued since 2005. Having worked in both prosecution and defence gives Chris a great insight into the workings of the Court and this experience is extra helpful in representing his clients as he understands the process well from both perspectives.
“Defending criminal charges and overturning convictions takes hard work, clear thinking and a powerful court performance.”
Chris has also practiced civil litigation since 1995, including land and building disputes as a civil litigation provider for the Ministry of Justice, appearing in the High Court civil jurisdictions.
He was a faculty member of the NZ Law Society Litigation Skills program from 2007 to 2015 and has also regularly attended NZ Law Society training programs for litigators, including the expert witness program. Chris undertook further training overseas, including a course at The Hague, training practitioners for the International Criminal Court. The program was run by Columbia Law School (USA). He has recently attended the American Defense Association national conference in 2015.
Chris is available for cases throughout New Zealand.
Cell: 021 243 3178