Michael Hodge

+64 21 066 6396 | michael.hodge@sangrochambers.co.nz

LinkedIn Profile

Michael joined the independent bar in 2021 and is an associate member of Hawkestone Chambers based in Auckland.

Michael is a highly experienced lawyer, having previously been a partner of Meredith Connell for more than ten years, and Chair of the firm’s Board.

He has extensive experience in public law and inquiries, professional standards and disciplinary proceedings, regulatory practice and compliance, private and public law compensation claims and claims for injunctive relief, and general civil litigation.

Michael regularly appears in judicial review proceedings in the High Court and Court of Appeal. He has represented clients in professional standards and disciplinary proceedings across all of the professional services (lawyers, financial advisors, accountants), real estate, construction, health, sport, and education sectors.

Michael has been appointed to act as amicus curiae in litigation in the Court of Appeal and the High Court, as counsel assisting the Coroner in coronial inquiries, and assisting the IPCA Inquiry into Police Investigations of Child Abuse.

Practice areas

    • Prescott v Police – successful defence of NZBORA compensation claim in the Court of Appeal.

    • White v Attorney-General – successful defence of tort proceedings in High Court and Court of Appeal.

    • Edinburgh Realty v Scandrett – High Court litigation about alleged misleading conduct in trade.

    • Dunn v MSD – superannuation entitlements litigation relating to UK pension funds.

    • Perpetual Trust v Capital + Merchant Finance – Trustee Act litigation relating to Public Trust obligations.

    • Quin v Barras – leading authority on availability of financial relief under the Real Estate Agents Act.

    • Anquandah v Attorney-General – Declaratory Judgement proceedings relating to customary adoption rights. 

    • Keene v LCRO – acting for NZLS as amicus curiae in judicial review proceedings before the Court of Appeal.

    • MBIE v Nair – successful appeal against interim relief orders made in judicial review proceedings under the Immigration Act.

    • Davis v PGDB – successful defence of judicial review proceedings in High Court and Court of Appeal relating to occupational disciplinary processes.

    • Attorney-General v Unitec – counsel in the Court of Appeal in judicial review litigation of Ministerial decision making relating to the establishment of a new university.

    • Barfoot & Thompson v REA – counsel for the REA in the leading Court of Appeal decision on conflicts of interest under the Real Estate Agents Act.

    • J v ASC1 – counsel for the Committee in the Court of Appeal successfully opposing appeal against disgraceful conduct finding in professional disciplinary proceedings.

    • Real Estate Authority v A – leading authority on fit and proper person test.

    • Barfoot & Thompson v Campbell – leading authority on disclosure requirements relating to non-physical defects/property issues.

    • PGDB v Rickard – successful High Court appeal establishing parameters of licensing requirements in gas fitting work.

Qualifications

LLB (Hons) University of Auckland