Emma is a specialist criminal barrister admitted to the bar in 1999. She appears on all criminal matters including jury trials, parole hearings and appeals to the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. She has a particular passion for prisoners’ rights and Evidence Act challenges. Emma advocates at government and policy level on criminal law issues and is a regular contributor with key stakeholders in the criminal justice system.

Emma has worked as both a Crown prosecutor, defence lawyer and counsel to assist the Court. She has appeared as an intervener for TLANZ in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Emma is convener of The Law Association Parole and Prisoners’ Rights Committee and a member of the NZBA Criminal Law Committee. Emma teaches for the NZ Law Society at the Stepping Up, Litigation Skills and “How to Run a Jury Trial” programmes. She founded The Good Lawyer in 2016, a non-profit initiative which provides books and shirts to prisoners.

Emma represents clients facing all criminal charges including serious violence, dishonesty, sexual crimes and murder. Emma’s clients value her energy, tenacity and approachability. She is well known for her work on high-profile cases and is recognised as a top criminal lawyer nationally.

Emma accepts private instructions and is an approved legal aid provider for PAL 4 and appellate matters, appearing in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court as lead and second counsel.

She is assisted in her practice by her junior barrister Sophie Wood.

Full details of her expertise can be found on linkedin and her website www.emmapriest.co.nz