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Deborah is one of the leading trust litigation and
relationship property lawyers in New Zealand. She specialises in equity
litigation, including fiduciary relationships and obligations.
She originally practised in general civil litigation and in the criminal law field as a prosecutor but since 1996 has specialised in relationship property law, trusts, estates and fiduciary duties. Her work in this area includes complex cases frequently involving international property.
Deborah was admitted to the bar in 1983 and commenced practice as a barrister sole in 1989. She was made QC in 2007. Prior to that she was with Russell McVeagh, Auckland; a Procurator Fiscal Depute in Glasgow; Meredith Connell; and Butler White and Hanna.
Her litigation experience includes frequent appearances in
the Family Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Deborah is
also experienced at representing clients in mediations.
Deborah has been ranked as a high net worth barrister in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, at the New Zealand Bar in regard to the handling of relationship property and trust litigation matters generally and of high-profile divorce cases in particular. She has held that position at both the Global and Asia-Pacific Chambers and Partners Guide with the Guide spotlighting her achievements as including multi-jurisdictional aspects and attracting “especially favourable notice”.
In March 2024 Deborah was again listed as the Leading Family and Relationship Property Law Barrister in Doyle's Guide.
Deborah has consistently been placed on the power list of New Zealand’s lawyers. Most recently as the 42nd most powerful lawyer in the country and the only female KC in private practice to be listed in the 2022 power list and named as the “Divorce Trust Diva.”