"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
Letter from a Birmingham Jail. 16 April 1963. Martin Luther King
PRO BONO LITIGATION
At my sole and exclusive discretion, subject to my capacity, qualification, and resource, I will consider acting pro bono in cases I consider to be publicly important where I consider serious injustice is present. I take on at least 1 large pro bono case per year. Email me at jess@jmathlaw.com
LOW BONO OR LEGAL AID
Most cases pitched to me do not reach the threshold of pro bono work. All cases are important to the particular litigant, but not all litigation has the quality of being able to add to a body of case law or provide a precedent for similarly vulnerable litigants.
At my sole and exclusive discretion, subject to my capacity, qualification, and resource, from time to time I may consider acting 'low bono' for a particular client. A low bono fee structure will have a fixed fee or hourly rate significantly reduced from my ordinary fees required for such litigation. Alternatively, there may be special circumstances that mean I will consider seeking limited approval to act on legal aid remuneration for your case. In the interests of disclosure, I detest the administration involved with legal aid but will endure if your road to justice compels this.
At my sole and exclusive discretion, subject to my capacity, qualification, and resource, from time to time I may consider acting 'low bono' for a particular client. A low bono fee structure will have a fixed fee or hourly rate significantly reduced from my ordinary fees required for such litigation. Alternatively, there may be special circumstances that mean I will consider seeking limited approval to act on legal aid remuneration for your case. In the interests of disclosure, I detest the administration involved with legal aid but will endure if your road to justice compels this.
Notable Pro Bono, 'Low Bono', or legally aided work
2023
Police v HJZ
Counsel: J M Matheson
First successful Application for Discharge without Conviction in New Zealand on grounds relating to complications with an abortion that took place at the time the offence was alleged to have occurred. Significantly, the person suffering the complications was not the defendant. In this sense, the defendant was discharged on the basis of third party acts and omissions.
2023
Mother v Oranga Tamariki Ministry for Children & Former Employee
Senior Counsel: Doctor Rodney Harrison KC
Junior Counsel: Jessica Matheson
Historic and unprecedented civil litigation relating to the historic uplift of 3 children.
Senior Counsel: Doctor Rodney Harrison KC
Junior Counsel: Jessica Matheson
Historic and unprecedented civil litigation relating to the historic uplift of 3 children.
2022
Mother v OT and DH
Senior Counsel: Doctor Rodney Harrison KC
Junior Counsel: Jessica Matheson
Historic and unprecedented civil litigation.
Senior Counsel: Doctor Rodney Harrison KC
Junior Counsel: Jessica Matheson
Historic and unprecedented civil litigation.
2021
Mother v OT and DH and LW and IU
Lead Counsel: Jessica Matheson
Fierce Family Court and High Court public litigation. Continued into 2022. Removal of Senior Counsel for Child.
Lead Counsel: Jessica Matheson
Fierce Family Court and High Court public litigation. Continued into 2022. Removal of Senior Counsel for Child.
Commissioner of Police v N
Lead Counsel: Jessica Matheson
Assisting Counsel: Mike Lennard (Tax litigation specialist)
Test litigation regarding whether income upon which tax has not be declared can be said to be a "benefit" under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009. I am grateful to my client for being willing to test this argument.
Assisting Counsel: Mike Lennard (Tax litigation specialist)
Test litigation regarding whether income upon which tax has not be declared can be said to be a "benefit" under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009. I am grateful to my client for being willing to test this argument.
2020
Wallace v Attorney-General and Commissioner of Police [2021] NZHC 1963
Breach of the right to life under the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990
Work assisting Graeme Minchin in 2021 concerning the most controversial police killing in New Zealand history: the killing of Steven Wallace in Waitara's main street in 2000.
Steven Wallace - shot multiple times and killed by Senior Constable and AOS Member William Keith Abbott during the early hours of Sunday morning, 30 April 2000. William Abbott was acquitted for killing Steven after a privately prosecuted trial in 2003.