Friday, 14 November 2025
Hearsay and Maker Unavailable
Tactical use and limits in domestic violence and sexual assault trials
Presented by Nick Chisnall KC, Augusta Chambers
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the legal framework and tactical use of hearsay evidence when the maker is unavailable
- Explore limits and admissibility of hearsay in domestic violence and sexual assault prosecutions
Description
Attend and earn 1 CPD hour
* This interactive online recording includes questions and quizzes requiring critical thinking about the topics, so you have no annual limits to the number of points/hours you can claim with this format of learning. Please verify with your CPD rules
Chair
Annabel Cresswell, Barrister, Pohutukawa Chambers
Presenters
Nick Chisnall KC, Augusta Chambers
Nick is a barrister at Augusta Chambers. Before joining the bar, he was the Public Defence Service's General Counsel and oversaw the PDS's appeal practice. Before that, he was Crown Counsel at the Crown Law Office, where he undertook appeals on behalf of the Solicitor-General. He has appeared many times on behalf of both defendants and the Crown in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Nick is an experienced jury trial advocate, both as a senior Crown prosecutor and defence lawyer and has defended and prosecuted all types of serious criminal cases.
Annabel Cresswell, Barrister, Pohutukawa Chambers
Annabel is a Criminal Barrister and specialises in conducting jury trials in the Criminal Courts. Annabel was admitted to the bar in December 2000. She has previously worked for the Crown and the Public Defence Service. In 2022, She and two colleagues set up Pohutukawa Chambers in central Auckland, where she currently practices. Annabel also practices in Rotorua and mainly focuses on serious crime. Annabel is the President of the Criminal Bar Association.
