---
title: "Services | Wakatipu Chambers — Queenstown Barristers"
description: "Legal services at Wakatipu Chambers, Queenstown — criminal defence, family law, estates, immigration, commercial and civil litigation, insurance and mediation."
url: https://barristers.net.nz/services/
---
# Legal Services | Wakatipu Chambers

> Criminal, family, civil and commercial law from two independent barristers based in Queenstown, with instructions accepted across New Zealand.

## The three core fields

- **Criminal Law** — Defence and representation across the District and High Courts — from first appearance and bail through to trial and sentencing. Our barristers act in everything from traffic and summary charges to serious jury trials, with clear, plain-English advice at every stage.
- **Family Law** — Relationship property, care of children, and protection matters handled with care and discretion. We appear in separations, parenting arrangements and family violence proceedings, guiding you through difficult moments with steady, practical advocacy.
- **Civil Law** — Disputes, litigation and civil advocacy across a broad range of matters. From contractual and commercial disputes to debt recovery and civil claims, our barristers offer sharp, considered representation — whether in negotiation or in the courtroom.

## Twelve areas of practice

From first appearance to final resolution, our barristers act across the full range of criminal, family and civil matters.

- [Relationship Property & Separation](https://barristers.net.nz/services/relationship-property-separation): Separation agreements, the 50/50 rule and contracting out — property division handled with clarity from day one.
- [Care of Children & Parenting](https://barristers.net.nz/services/care-of-children): Parenting arrangements, Day-to-Day Care and Contact Orders, and Family Dispute Resolution — always centred on the children.
- [Traffic & Driving Offences](https://barristers.net.nz/services/traffic-driving-offences): Drink driving, licence suspensions, limited licence and s94 applications, and Clean Slate advice — ways back on the road.
- [Family Protection & Estates](https://barristers.net.nz/services/family-protection-estates): Wills, estate disputes and Family Protection Act claims, including estate litigation anywhere in New Zealand.
- [Commercial & Contract Disputes](https://barristers.net.nz/services/commercial-contract-disputes): Contract, debt and shareholder disputes in all courts — early advice focused on the realistic commercial outcome.
- [Construction & Leaky Building](https://barristers.net.nz/services/construction-leaky-building): Construction contract disputes, WHRS claims and leaky-building litigation, with the 10-year longstop in mind.
- [Insurance & Regulatory Defence](https://barristers.net.nz/services/insurance-regulatory): Insurance briefs, statutory liability and professional indemnity claims, WorkSafe and regulatory prosecutions, and coronial inquiries.
- [Dispute Resolution & Mediation](https://barristers.net.nz/services/dispute-resolution-mediation): Commercial mediation and alternative dispute resolution to resolve matters without the cost of a full trial.
- [Criminal Defence](https://barristers.net.nz/services/criminal-defence): Representation from first appearance and bail through to trial and sentencing, across the District and High Courts.
- [Rural & Land Law](https://barristers.net.nz/services/rural-land-law): Farm succession, boundaries and easements, water and consents — rural disputes across Central Otago and the South Island.
- [Employment Law](https://barristers.net.nz/services/employment-law): Personal grievances, disputes, restructuring and employment agreements, acting for both employers and employees.
- [Immigration Law](https://barristers.net.nz/services/immigration-law): Visa applications, residence and work matters, and immigration appeals for both New Zealand and Australia.

## Why instruct chambers

- **Direct access to counsel** — your enquiry goes straight to chambers and you deal directly with the barrister handling your matter, no layers, no handoffs to junior staff.
- **Decades of trial experience** — admitted since 1995, with hundreds of trials across New Zealand and Australia, on both sides of the criminal bar and across the civil courts.
- **Free initial call** — no obligation. Tell us briefly about your matter and we'll tell you plainly whether we can help and what the next step is.

## Legal Aid

Piers Blomfield is an accredited Legal Aid lead provider for family and criminal law, and can act for clients who qualify at no cost or reduced cost. Eligibility depends on income, assets, household circumstances and the merits of the case.

## Frequently asked questions

**How do I instruct a barrister at Wakatipu Chambers?**

Start with an enquiry through this site. It comes straight to chambers, we match it to the barrister whose practice fits, and he will be in touch to arrange an initial conversation — without obligation, and with nothing billed until a fee has been agreed and you decide to go ahead.

**Do I need a solicitor to instruct a barrister?**

It depends on the barrister and the matter. Piers Blomfield holds New Zealand Law Society authority to take instructions directly, so clients can come to him without an instructing solicitor. Brett Harris generally accepts briefs from solicitors and law firms in the traditional way. Make an enquiry and we will tell you plainly which route applies to your matter.

**Which barrister will handle my matter?**

The one whose practice fits it. Criminal, family, family protection and immigration matters go to Piers Blomfield; civil, commercial, insurance, employment and regulatory matters go to Brett Harris. Every enquiry through the site is routed to the right advocate from the start — you will not be handed between lawyers.

**How are fees handled?**

Openly, and up front. The first conversation is a no-obligation call to understand the matter, and fees are discussed and agreed before any work begins — including, where the matter suits it, an estimate of the likely stages and their cost. Legal Aid is available for eligible criminal and family matters through Piers, an accredited lead provider.