Barrister and Associate Member of Chambers

Michael Hodge

Michael is a highly experienced lawyer having previously been a partner of Meredith Connell for over 10 years and Chair of the firm’s Board prior to joining the independent bar in 2021.

Michael 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 provides practical, outcomes-focused advice to clients on how to ensure they comply with their regulatory obligations in managing their business risk.  He has also advised Crown entities and other regulatory bodies on regulatory systems, policies and practices.  

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.  

Michael is an associate member of Hawkestone Chambers who is primarily based in Auckland.

Contact

- 01

Memberships

  • New Zealand Law Society
  • Chair, Collaborative Marketing Committee Kiwifruit NZ
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Qualifications

  • LLB (Hons) University of Auckland
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Publications

  • Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal in New Zealand Tribunals: Law and Practice

Practice areas

  • Professional standards
  • Judicial review

  • Inquiries

 

  • Regulatory and compliance
  • Civil litigation
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Notable Experience

  • Keene v LCRO – acting for NZLS as amicus curiae in judicial review proceedings before the Court of Appeal
  • 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
  • Prescott v Police – successful defence of NZBORA compensation claim in the Court of Appeal
  • 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
  • White v Attorney-General – successful defence of tort proceedings in High Court and Court of Appeal
  • Dunn v MSD – superannuation entitlements litigation relating to UK pension funds
  • Barfoot & Thompson v Campbell – leading authority on disclosure requirements relating to non-physical defects/property issues
  • Perpetual Trust v Capital + Merchant Finance – Trustee Act litigation relating to Public Trust obligations
  • MBIE v Nair – successful appeal against interim relief orders made in judicial review proceedings under the Immigration Act
  • Anquandah v Attorney-General – Declaratory Judgement proceedings relating to customary adoption rights
  • 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
  • PGDB v Rickard – successful High Court appeal establishing parameters of licensing requirements in gas fitting work
  • Davis v PGDB – successful defence of judicial review proceedings in High Court and Court of Appeal relating to occupational disciplinary processes
  • Quin v Barras – leading authority on availability of financial relief under the Real Estate Agents Act
  • Edinburgh Realty v Scandrett – High Court litigation about alleged misleading conduct in trade
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