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My interest is focused on criminal proceeds, financial crime and fraud, search, surveillance, claims against NZ Police, and regulatory defences in relation to AML breaches. 


SEARCH AND SURVEILLANCE 

Testing arguments under the search and surveillance act is a favourite past time of mine. I love it. In this area, I often work with the Search and Surveillance Act 2012, Intelligence and Security Act 2017 and other interception statutes, Judicial Review Procedure Act 2016, and the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009. 

These are often District Court or High Court matters. 

CIVIL AND CRIMINAL ISSUES RELATING TO ALLEGATIONS OF CLUBS OR GROUPS BEING INVOLVED IN ORGANISED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY 

I have an interest in rights breaches by public agencies and departments in relation to members of "Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs", but more so the whanau, aiga, or family of members. 

An example of discrimination arising as a result of an association with an alleged 'outlaw' Motorcycle Club, is when a gang member's child is discriminated against (treated differently than other children in the same position) by a public body because of the parent's membership of a gang. 

CIVIL CLAIMS AGAINST THE POLICE

A favourite area of practice!

- Fatal and non-fatal police shootings
- IPCA assistance 
- Privacy Act and OIA breaches
- Breach of Bill of Rights Act, Human Rights Act, Policing Act
- Negligence 
- Misfeasance 

Please note, if you have a merited, evidence based criminal complaint against a police officer, please raise this in the first instance with your local police station. Prosecutions for criminal activity are brought by Police and/or the Crown in New Zealand. 

On occasion, I receive enquiries requesting a private prosecution of a member of the police or a former member of the police. These types of proceedings are rare and expensive. You will need to have significant funding in order to bring a private prosecution. It is helpful for you to have already made a complaint to the police and waited for an outcome as to whether they will prosecute or decide to do nothing. 

FIREARMS 

Criminal and civil issues 
​Licensing issues

TRUST LITIGATION
FAMILY TRUSTS
CHARITABLE TRUSTS

I have assisted with, and led, complex trust matters relating to charitable trusts (religious purpose) and family trusts. 

WHITE COLLAR CRIME AND REGULATORY OFFENCES

I work with a senior specialist team when it comes to financial crime, money laundering, fraud, and regulatory offences. The team I use has experience with serious fraud, money laundering, fraud matters, and regulatory defence. 

I am available to assist with investigations by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), WorkSafe, Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE), some Inland Revenue investigations (IRD), and investigations brought by the Employment Inspectorate. 

I have a particular interest in DIA investigations in relation to money remitters and alleged offences in relation to AML and FSPs. I have a strong interest in migrant exploitation defences. 


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Legal Award Winners for the APAC region here during 2022


CRIMINAL PROCEEDS (RECOVERY) ACT 2009

An enjoyable and favourite practice area of mine.

Opposition to restraint
Opposition to forfeiture 
Applications for severance of property interests
Applications for exclusion of property on basis of undue hardship 
Judicial Review of Commissioner of Police's and his officers' powers under the Criminal Proceeds regime
Judicial Review of the Official Assignee's powers under the Criminal Proceeds regime

If you have been advised to "just consent" to restraining orders, please contact me for a free second opinion. This area of law has largely suffered from a lack of proper opposition at both the restraint and forfeiture stage. There is much left to explore under this Act and a new generation of barristers, like myself, will fight for your property. 

I have represented and/or advised companies, company directors/shareholders, trusts, trustees, beneficiaries, members of motorcycle clubs, innocent family members related to the respondent who have had their own property interests restrained, and of late, children. 

CIVIL TEST LITIGATION / REFORMATIVE ADVOCACY / CONTROVERSIAL PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION

I have conducted controversial test litigation in the Family Court and High Court. I have conducted test litigation under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009, the Education and Training Act 2020, and the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. Test litigation enquiries may be in any practice area except immigration, relationship property, and resource management law. 


Depending on the nature of the dispute or legal issue, additional barristers may be required. For matters that are large and complex, senior counsel or Kings Counsel may be recommended to you. I work with a number of civil and criminal kings counsel on a weekly basis. 

PROFESSIONAL PROFILES & MEMBERSHIPS
​

PROFILES WITH LAW SOCIETY AND BAR ASSOCIATION
New Zealand Law Society website
profile here
​New Zealand Bar Association website
​profile 
here
​
ALLY TO THE LGBTI+ COMMUNITY 
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MEMBERSHIPS

New Zealand Bar Association
​New Zealand Criminal Bar Association 
New Zealand Law Society
Auckland District Law Society 
Pacific Island Lawyers Association 

I have appeared in the following Courts and Tribunals to date:
Mental Health Review Tribunal
Family Court
​Employment Relations Authority
Employment Court
Building Disputes Tribunal
District Court
Environment Court
High Court
​Court of Appeal

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Jess@jmathlaw.com
0211692903
Communication platforms 
​​TikTok @jessthebarrister
Instagram @jessmathlaw
LinkedIn @Jessica Matheson Barrister Sole 
Facebook @Jessica Matheson Barrister Sole
​ WhatsApp  |  Signal  |  ​Telegram
Kitchener Chambers
36 Kitchener Street
​Level 7
Auckland CBD
​1010


Satellite locations in Northland, on the East Coast, and Taranaki when required

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1. Privacy
Ms Matheson may collect personal information from you in the course of your use of this website and you may request a copy of your own personal information Ms Matheson’s practice holds pursuant to the Privacy Act 2020. 
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Website updated on 16 May 2023
  • Home
  • On-boarding
    • Legal Fees
    • Pro Bono
  • Services/About Me
    • Reproductive Litigation
    • About Jessica
    • Court Appearances
    • Civil test litigation
  • Litigation Team
    • Working with King's Counsel/Senior Barristers
  • NZ LOCATIONS
    • Kaitaia - Kaikohe
    • East Coast
    • Taranaki
  • News Stories / Media
    • Podcast - Starting Point
    • Practice News
    • Opinion/Commentary