Katie is a senior litigator, who specialises in the intersection between criminal and civil work. She is focused, efficient and prides herself on clear communication.
Katie has significant experience with criminal and departmental prosecutions, Parole Board work, judicial reviews and extradition cases. Particular specialisations are the criminal proceeds regime, extended supervision and public protection order applications and pecuniary penalties under the new AML/CFT regime.
About
After graduating with a BA, LLB (Hons) from the University of Otago in 2000, Katie worked at Russell McVeagh in Auckland as a civil litigator for three years before travelling and working overseas. After her return to New Zealand, and following a short contract with LeeSalmonLong, Katie joined Meredith Connell in January 2006. There she undertook jury trial work, achieving senior classification in 2009 and becoming an Associate of the firm in 2012.
In 2015 Katie and her young family moved to Samoa where Katie was employed as a legal consultant to the Samoan Attorney-General. At the same time Katie was part of the team that successfully bid for the new Manukau Crown Solicitor’s warrant. She returned to New Zealand and began working for Kayes Fletcher Walker as a senior Crown prosecutor in October 2015.
Katie joined the Independent Bar and became a member of City Chambers in October 2018.
Litigation experience
Criminal
Katie has appeared in many judge-alone and jury trials in the District and High Court since 2006. She was made a senior Crown counsel in 2009. Katie has also conducted criminal appeals in the Court of Appeal.
Proceeds of crime
Criminal proceeds is an area of particular expertise for Katie. She has conducted numerous asset and profit forfeiture applications, including opposed hearings, appellate work, and negotiating significant settlements.
Regulatory
Katie has conducted pecuniary penalty proceedings under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009. Katie has acted in a number of proceedings under the extended supervision order (Parole Act) and public protection order (Public Safety (Public Protection Orders) Act) regimes. She has also undertaken regulatory prosecutions for Statistics New Zealand, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry for Primary Industries. Katie appears in front of the Parole Board.
Extradition
Katie is experienced in extradition cases, having been involved in requests for surrender to or from countries including the United States of America, Australia, England, Hong Kong and China. Her experience includes appearances in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.
Recent case examples
Civil
Corrections v Rutherford - ESO and PPO proceedings (High Court)
Commissioner of Police v Le’Ca and others - criminal proceeds (High Court)
DIA v Jin Yuan Finance and Young - AML/CFT pecuniary penalty application (High Court)
Commissioner of Police v Taikoko - criminal proceeds (High Court)
Australia v Mailley - extradition (appeal and JR) (High Court, Court of Appeal)
Ma’amua v Si’itia - general civil proceeding (High Court)
He v Bai - judicial review (amicus) (High Court)
Criminal
R v Anderson - conviction and sentence appeal (Court of Appeal)
R v Ngatai - conviction appeal (Court of Appeal)
R v Sanft - manslaughter (High Court)
R v Le’Ca and others - methamphetamine (High Court)
R v Morgan - sexual violation (High Court)
R v Rumble - sexual violation (District Court)
R v Taufa - sexual violation (District Court)