In recent years we have seen a number of significant Public Inquiries, including Royal Commissions, both in New Zealand and in other jurisdictions. Learn from barristers who have been involved in some of the most significant Public Inquiries in recent New Zealand history to understand insights into the current law and practices of Public Inquiries, as well as navigate the strengths and weakness of the Public Inquiry process to engage in fact-finding and prevent future recurrences.

Presenters

Ben Keith, Barrister, Woodward Street Chambers, Wellington
Ben is a barrister at Woodward Street Chambers, Wellington, principally practising in administrative, human rights and public international law. He has previously worked as a specialist Crown Counsel with the New Zealand Crown Law Office and was also the first Deputy Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. Ben has conducted proceedings at all levels of the New Zealand court system, including matters before the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, Privy Council and the Waitangi Tribunal, as well as in a number of other jurisdictions and before United Nations fora. Significant public matters include precedent decisions in administrative and constitutional law; human rights; national security; public and private international law; and regulatory/investigatory powers, as well as numerous published legal opinions and other work. His voluntary professional activities include regular substantial pro bono matters and past membership of New Zealand Law Society law reform committees and other bodies.


Matthew Smith, Barrister, Thorndon Chambers, Wellington
Matthew is a barrister at Thorndon Chambers in Wellington. He has a broad public and commercial law practice, encompassing regulatory, Māori, human rights and environmental law, and with a special expertise in judicial review and the use of public law tools to achieve meaningful outcomes for clients. Matthew works across the entire range of public law and has acted for public sector bodies (including Crown entities and commissions of inquiry), individuals, entities of many kinds (including companies, incorporated societies, trusts and Māori incorporations), industry groups and NGOs. He has appeared in all of the higher Courts, and in a number of specialist courts and tribunals - including the Waitangi Tribunal and the Māori Land Court. Matthew's non-litigation work tends to involve the provision of legal and strategic advice and support in a range of settings, including public inquiries, regulatory investigations, consultation processes and Parliamentary/law reform processes. Matthew is the sole author of the New Zealand Judicial Review Handbook - a comprehensive text on judicial review in New Zealand that is now in its second edition.


Thomas Powell, Barrister, Bowen Chambers
Tom is a barrister with a litigation and investigations practice.  Tom led investigations at the Infected Blood Inquiry (UK) before returning to New Zealand in 2020 to join the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care where he ran the Inquiry’s legal and investigations function