Criminal
Matthew Phelps
Matt was admitted in 2004, beginning life at the Bar with a Queen’s Counsel in Dunedin. Thereafter he has practised in Hawkes Bay but appeared in Courts across both the North and South Island.
Matt is a well-respected specialist in criminal defence work. He is regularly instructed to act for clients facing allegations of serious criminal offending including murder/ manslaughter, serious drug offending, sexual and violent offending. He has been appointed by the District Court and Court of Appeal as Counsel to assist the Court. In addition, Matt has a significant parole practice and routinely appears before the Parole Board in recall, release and extended supervision order proceedings.
Matt has a reputation amongst his clients for his work ethic, his meticulous preparation and for going the extra mile for clients. He is active within the New Zealand Law Society and is the Convenor of the Hawkes Bay Lawyers Standards Committee. Matt belongs to the New Zealand Bar Association, Criminal Bar Association and the Defence Lawyers of New Zealand.
Carole Marshall
Carole is secretary for Matt and Emily.
Carole is Hawke’s Bay born and bred and has worked in legal firms since she left high school. She has been a personal assistant in both New Zealand and the UK for over 40 years.
Following 12 years on the big OE and having started a family, Carole returned to New Zealand in 2000 and for the past 21 years has supported two senior criminal barristers. She has worked alongside Matt since 2021.