In the news
2025
Courts and Tribunal hours for Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026
Court opening hours/days over the Christmas and New Year break are found here.
Urgent matter over the holiday break? See below:
Urgent Family Court applications
Family Courts will provide a national service for urgent applications over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Urgent applications will continue to be managed via the eDuty platform.
Court staff and duty judges will be available to deal with applications on the following days:
All urgent Family Court applications are required to be submitted to the registry by 2:00pm (exception 12:00pm on 24 December) on the days above in order for them to be processed. Any applications received after that time will be considered the following court day.
The process for urgent Family Court applications will go back to normal on Monday 5 January 2026.
Mental health
Judges will be available to deal with any urgent applications made to the Family Court for a review of a patient’s condition, section 16 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.
Arrest courts
Any persons arrested over the holiday period will be brought to the nearest available court for the initial appearance before a Judge, Community Magistrate or Justice of the Peace. “Arrested” includes those arrested on new charges, on warrant or for breach of bail.
If bail is sought and it is not within jurisdiction of the judicial officer presiding at the first appearance, then any remand in custody (unless there is consent otherwise) must be adjourned to the next working day. This will allow the bail application to be dealt with via AVL from the prison (or police station) to the nearest, or most convenient, court where a judge is rostered to sit.
Electronically Monitored Bail applications
The EM Admin team will be processing the applications throughout the Christmas and holiday period (only being closed on statutory holidays). Applications filed after 2nd of December (or 9th of December in the Youth Court) may be scheduled for hearing from the 12th of January 2026 subject to hearing time and counsel availability. Please ensure the EM Bail Team are advised of any such adjournments over the holiday period so arrangements can be made for potential installations of equipment as early as possible.
If there are any queries regarding the above time frames, please don't hesitate to contact the Electronically Monitored Bail Team, on 0800EMBAIL or [email protected]
Urgent Harmful Digital Communications Act applications
Judges will be available to deal with any urgent applications filed under the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 during the Christmas and New Year period.
Urgent High Court applications
Urgent High Court applications can be made during the Christmas and New Year period.
As always, I will be accessible to already engaged clients over the holiday and new year break. If I cannot assist with an urgent matter for my already engaged clients, then I will assist them to find alternative counsel in the interim. Please note, already engaged clients and their whanau/family/aiga take priority over new enquirers over the holiday break.
Yours faithfully
Jessica
Court opening hours/days over the Christmas and New Year break are found here.
Urgent matter over the holiday break? See below:
Urgent Family Court applications
Family Courts will provide a national service for urgent applications over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Urgent applications will continue to be managed via the eDuty platform.
Court staff and duty judges will be available to deal with applications on the following days:
All urgent Family Court applications are required to be submitted to the registry by 2:00pm (exception 12:00pm on 24 December) on the days above in order for them to be processed. Any applications received after that time will be considered the following court day.
The process for urgent Family Court applications will go back to normal on Monday 5 January 2026.
Mental health
Judges will be available to deal with any urgent applications made to the Family Court for a review of a patient’s condition, section 16 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.
Arrest courts
Any persons arrested over the holiday period will be brought to the nearest available court for the initial appearance before a Judge, Community Magistrate or Justice of the Peace. “Arrested” includes those arrested on new charges, on warrant or for breach of bail.
If bail is sought and it is not within jurisdiction of the judicial officer presiding at the first appearance, then any remand in custody (unless there is consent otherwise) must be adjourned to the next working day. This will allow the bail application to be dealt with via AVL from the prison (or police station) to the nearest, or most convenient, court where a judge is rostered to sit.
Electronically Monitored Bail applications
The EM Admin team will be processing the applications throughout the Christmas and holiday period (only being closed on statutory holidays). Applications filed after 2nd of December (or 9th of December in the Youth Court) may be scheduled for hearing from the 12th of January 2026 subject to hearing time and counsel availability. Please ensure the EM Bail Team are advised of any such adjournments over the holiday period so arrangements can be made for potential installations of equipment as early as possible.
If there are any queries regarding the above time frames, please don't hesitate to contact the Electronically Monitored Bail Team, on 0800EMBAIL or [email protected]
Urgent Harmful Digital Communications Act applications
Judges will be available to deal with any urgent applications filed under the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 during the Christmas and New Year period.
Urgent High Court applications
Urgent High Court applications can be made during the Christmas and New Year period.
As always, I will be accessible to already engaged clients over the holiday and new year break. If I cannot assist with an urgent matter for my already engaged clients, then I will assist them to find alternative counsel in the interim. Please note, already engaged clients and their whanau/family/aiga take priority over new enquirers over the holiday break.
Yours faithfully
Jessica
November
Sufficiently concerned to see Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee saying the government is looking to tighten up laws relating to proceeds of crime. Last time I checked, it's already a pretty tight Act! The word 'medieval' comes to mind often, or as one poor client refers to it, "barbaric". Not sure how much more unfair we can make the proceeds of crime regime in New Zealand, but we will see I guess:
“We’re also taking the next step by tightening the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act, making it easier to hit gangs where it hurts most: their wallets. If they’ve built their empire on misery, we’re coming for it.
“When gangs and organised crime groups make big money from breaking the law, it only drives more offending. We’re determined to end that business model once and for all.
“This builds on my work to reform the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. Those changes are about cutting red tape for honest businesses while turning up the heat on criminals who use our financial system to hide dirty cash.
“Gone are the days when money seized from gang members was funnelled back into projects for their benefit.
“We’re fixing what matters so people who work hard, respect the rights of others, and obey the law can get ahead with the knowledge they and their property are safe.”
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/disrupting-organised-criminals-and-taking-their-money-fight-meth
Yours Faithfully
Jessica
Sufficiently concerned to see Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee saying the government is looking to tighten up laws relating to proceeds of crime. Last time I checked, it's already a pretty tight Act! The word 'medieval' comes to mind often, or as one poor client refers to it, "barbaric". Not sure how much more unfair we can make the proceeds of crime regime in New Zealand, but we will see I guess:
“We’re also taking the next step by tightening the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act, making it easier to hit gangs where it hurts most: their wallets. If they’ve built their empire on misery, we’re coming for it.
“When gangs and organised crime groups make big money from breaking the law, it only drives more offending. We’re determined to end that business model once and for all.
“This builds on my work to reform the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. Those changes are about cutting red tape for honest businesses while turning up the heat on criminals who use our financial system to hide dirty cash.
“Gone are the days when money seized from gang members was funnelled back into projects for their benefit.
“We’re fixing what matters so people who work hard, respect the rights of others, and obey the law can get ahead with the knowledge they and their property are safe.”
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/disrupting-organised-criminals-and-taking-their-money-fight-meth
Yours Faithfully
Jessica
2025
Leading Advisor award 2025
https://www.acquisition-international.com/winners/jessica-matheson-barrister-sole-2/
As always, I thank my proceeds of crime clients and my family law clients for their awesome support of my work and continued custom. I believe it takes a real team of lawyers and clients to challenge precedent and outdated customs in the law profession, and I am glad to have you with me. Whether you hail from a motorcycle club (outlaw or 'inlaw'), whether you are a parent who I helped gain custody of their children again, whether I assisted you in having your children released from Oranga Tamariki care, or whether I have assisted in resolving your insurance or contractual claim - thank you for keeping me company on this journey.
Yours Faithfully
Jessica
https://www.acquisition-international.com/winners/jessica-matheson-barrister-sole-2/
As always, I thank my proceeds of crime clients and my family law clients for their awesome support of my work and continued custom. I believe it takes a real team of lawyers and clients to challenge precedent and outdated customs in the law profession, and I am glad to have you with me. Whether you hail from a motorcycle club (outlaw or 'inlaw'), whether you are a parent who I helped gain custody of their children again, whether I assisted you in having your children released from Oranga Tamariki care, or whether I have assisted in resolving your insurance or contractual claim - thank you for keeping me company on this journey.
Yours Faithfully
Jessica
Last quarter, new phase loading!
If you are following mine or CPDG's Instagram account in the past few months, you will have noted my new 'Versace' uniform policy. Yes, that's a real thing. Moving on to more serious matters, I am very pleased to formalise a working relationship with Clare Chen (Property solicitor, Auckland) on complex criminal proceeds settlements since July 2025. We believe there is a gap in the market for specialists (both barristers and solicitors) who can propose and handle complex CPRA settlements - we are looking forward to developing this market and I thank my clients who have already engaged with Clare and myself in this respect. Please note a new settlements with the police webpage here.
Finally, we have made the decision to nix the pioneering TikTok account for CPDG from early September 2025. TikTok served it's purpose well (look at us now!), but it's time for a new phase. I thank 'prominent' criminal proceeds litigants for their feedback and suggestions as to what a new phase (and market presence) might/should look like....
Yours faithfully,
Jessica
If you are following mine or CPDG's Instagram account in the past few months, you will have noted my new 'Versace' uniform policy. Yes, that's a real thing. Moving on to more serious matters, I am very pleased to formalise a working relationship with Clare Chen (Property solicitor, Auckland) on complex criminal proceeds settlements since July 2025. We believe there is a gap in the market for specialists (both barristers and solicitors) who can propose and handle complex CPRA settlements - we are looking forward to developing this market and I thank my clients who have already engaged with Clare and myself in this respect. Please note a new settlements with the police webpage here.
Finally, we have made the decision to nix the pioneering TikTok account for CPDG from early September 2025. TikTok served it's purpose well (look at us now!), but it's time for a new phase. I thank 'prominent' criminal proceeds litigants for their feedback and suggestions as to what a new phase (and market presence) might/should look like....
Yours faithfully,
Jessica
Update of JM general terms and conditions of engagement
Long-time clients are alerted to recent amendments to JM terms and conditions of engagement that took effect as of 1 April 2025 and 1 July 2025. These amendments include changes to payment terms, social media and encrypted messaging between barrister and client, minimum retainers required to be held on trust at all times by instructing solicitors, and payment arrangements.
Yours faithfully,
Jessica
Long-time clients are alerted to recent amendments to JM terms and conditions of engagement that took effect as of 1 April 2025 and 1 July 2025. These amendments include changes to payment terms, social media and encrypted messaging between barrister and client, minimum retainers required to be held on trust at all times by instructing solicitors, and payment arrangements.
Yours faithfully,
Jessica
Awards season 2025
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I am pleased to be named Civil Litigation Attorney of the Year 2025. It is always nice to be acknowledged for your work in your practice area, and internationally! I am pleased this recognition is focused on the area of innovative argument. In a practice area like criminal proceeds, where the odds are against you, it is so important for lawyers to be brave and willing to put forward new and unusual arguments. Thank you to my clients across New Zealand for your support! And thank you to the barristers I work with who are willing to go on the journey with me.
Yours faithfully Jessica |
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Successful costs judgment against Commissioner of Police
I am pleased my client received a successful costs judgment against the Commissioner of Police earlier this year. It is rare to have all property excluded from a forfeiture order, let alone be awarded costs too. It is always a privilege to assist.
Yours faithfully
Jessica
Yours faithfully
Jessica
Yes, I have noticed also
A number of litigants have contacted me recently, both clients and non-clients, who have expressed surprise and "alarm" at some recent New Zealand proceeds judgments at first instance (High Court level). Trust me, I have noticed them too and I have been pondering.... there appears to be a 'common thread' in these judgments which has not been lost on myself, some of my colleagues (both legal and para-legal), and clearly not lost on some of you who regularly 'monitor' this practice area.
My general advice if you are faced with this 'common thread', is to note grounds for appeal and to start thinking about an appeal as soon as possible. There have been arguable grounds for appeal in some of these decisions, so generally speaking, a few clients and a few barristers need to be brave enough to take these matters up to the Court of Appeal. The issue with progressing an appeal, as it often is after a hard fought forfeiture proceeding with private counsel, is the client may have exhausted their funds for an appeal. Thus, going forward, you could factor in 'an appeal' in your strategic decision making and litigation budgeting. There are a number of ways to do this, but you must have private funding ready and available to go if an appeal is required. Alternatively, check your eligibility with legal aid.
Yours faithfully
Jess
My general advice if you are faced with this 'common thread', is to note grounds for appeal and to start thinking about an appeal as soon as possible. There have been arguable grounds for appeal in some of these decisions, so generally speaking, a few clients and a few barristers need to be brave enough to take these matters up to the Court of Appeal. The issue with progressing an appeal, as it often is after a hard fought forfeiture proceeding with private counsel, is the client may have exhausted their funds for an appeal. Thus, going forward, you could factor in 'an appeal' in your strategic decision making and litigation budgeting. There are a number of ways to do this, but you must have private funding ready and available to go if an appeal is required. Alternatively, check your eligibility with legal aid.
Yours faithfully
Jess
Police ordered to release cash likely to be tainted property.
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360546142/police-ordered-return-seized-cash-likely-earned-drug-dealing
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360546142/police-ordered-return-seized-cash-likely-earned-drug-dealing
2024
"I am delighted my client received a successful (and reasonably rare) judgment against the Commissioner of Police under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 in December 2024. Mr T had all his property (cash) excluded from forfeiture and an entitlement to costs against the Commissioner of Police. This case will be very helpful for litigants who need supporting arguments for release of property (even if tainted)."
Commissioner of Police v T [2024] NZHC 3989
Commissioner of Police v T [2024] NZHC 3989
"I am pleased to be recognised as "Leading Civil Litigation Barrister of the Year 2024 (New Zealand)" by Acquisition International" - website link here.
2023
2022
On Oranga Tamariki - uplift as a result of mistaken identity:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/oranga-tamariki-identity-blunder-privacy-breach-mothers-20-year-battle-for-an-apology/NRCOLKRB3YU7GS26WP6ULHM4LA/
On Oranga Tamariki Unjustified Uplifts - Ex gratia payments:
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/investigations/ot-approves-payment-after-newsroom-investigation
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/oranga-tamariki-identity-blunder-privacy-breach-mothers-20-year-battle-for-an-apology/NRCOLKRB3YU7GS26WP6ULHM4LA/
On Oranga Tamariki Unjustified Uplifts - Ex gratia payments:
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/investigations/ot-approves-payment-after-newsroom-investigation
2021
On Oranga Tamariki Uplifts:
Family Court: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/investigations/plea-for-help-then-descent-into-hell
Family Court: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/investigations/plea-for-help-then-descent-into-hell
On Oranga Tamariki Uplifts:
Family Court: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/the-young-barrister-taking-on-the-family-court
Family Court: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/the-young-barrister-taking-on-the-family-court
On Oranga Tamariki Uplifts:
Family Court: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/charges-sought-over-psychologist-social-worker
Family Court: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/charges-sought-over-psychologist-social-worker
Money laundering and Criminal Proceeds:
District Court and High Court: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-luxury-homes-jewellery-bmws-seized-in-money-laundering-crackdown/YB7XZT6SBJELCODLKRXUBL7TBQ/
District Court and High Court: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-luxury-homes-jewellery-bmws-seized-in-money-laundering-crackdown/YB7XZT6SBJELCODLKRXUBL7TBQ/
Money laundering, Criminal Proceeds, Bail:
District Court and High Court: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/03/operation-ida-ten-arrested-10-2-million-seized-in-money-laundering-investigation.html
District Court and High Court: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/03/operation-ida-ten-arrested-10-2-million-seized-in-money-laundering-investigation.html