Question 1

About

Accepted Answer

Grant has significant litigation experience across jurisdictions in the District and High Courts through to the Court of Appeal.  He has been appearing as lead counsel in criminal trials, including those heard before a Judge and Jury and in the Family Court jurisdiction for nearly two decades.  Grant has successfully argued high profile cases to the Court of Appeal including Surrey v Surrey  the first, and leading case, argued before the Court of Appeal under the (then) Domestic Violence Act.
Grant has been appointed to the Lawyer for Child Panel and is regularly asked to assist the Court as Lawyer to Assist or Amicus Curiae.

He is known for his clear, honest and pragmatic advice  and clients appreciate his straight forward and thorough advice often at the most stressful times of their lives.

Grant has served on Law Society committees and as President of the Canterbury-Westland Branch of the New Zealand Law Society.

Question 2

Education & Career

Accepted Answer

• Law Degree (and B.Com) from the University of Canterbury.
 • Admitted as a Barrister & Solicitor 2002
 • Saunders & Co:  2003 – 2009 - Litigation Solicitor and Associate
 • Weston Ward & Lascelles: 2009 – 2020  Senior Litigation Solicitor, Associate, and Partner.

Question 3

Affiliations

Accepted Answer

• New Zealand Law Society: Former President Canterbury/Westland Branch
 • Family Law Association
 • Criminal Bar Association
 • Family Courts Association
 • Canterbury Hockey Judiciary

Question 4

Notable Cases

Accepted Answer

• O’Connor as Litigation Guardian for C v Chief Executive Of The Ministry Of Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki [2017] NZCA 617 – successful declaration under the Habeas Corpus Act, on appeal, that a young person was unlawfully detained by Oranga Tamariki in a secure facility.
 • Surrey v Surrey [2008] NZCA 565 – first substantive Court of Appeal hearing under the Domestic Violence Act 1995, the leading case on necessity relating to both Domestic Violence and Care of Children Acts;
 • Biddle v Pooley [2017] NZHC 338 – High Court case, successfully argued against an application to disinter a deceased and retain taonga within the whanau. Lead (including expert evidence) and cross-examined on evidence as to relevant tikanga;
 • Riches v Police [2017] NZHC 2035 – authority for proposition that the starting point for non-commercial cultivation is a fine.

GRANT TYRRELL

Areas of Practice