LUCY KENNER
Barrister

Lucy has a broad litigation practice including civil and commercial disputes, trusts and estates, relationship property, and Coronial inquests. She has acted as junior counsel in complex High Court trials and high-value relationship property matters, and as sole counsel in the Family Court, District Court, and High Court. Lucy accepts instructions from senior counsel.Before joining the independent bar in 2026, Lucy worked as a Judge’s Clerk at the Court of Appeal, a solicitor at a specialist litigation firm, and a Junior Barrister at Stout Street Chambers.Outside work, Lucy is an active outdoorsperson and enjoys tramping, rock climbing, and mountaineering.

Victoria University of Wellington – LLB (Hons)/BA – 2019Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand – 2021Solicitor, Meredith Connell – 2022Junior Barrister, Stout Street Chambers – 2022 to 2025Joined Plymouth Chambers – 2026

New Zealand Bar Association memberNew Zealand Law Society Public Law Committee member

Carter v Carter [2025] NZFC 13735 – junior counsel for the successful applicant in a complex high value claim under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 and Family Proceedings Act 1980healthAlliance NZ Ltd v Hewlett-Packard New Zealand [2024] NZHC 2725 – acting for the plaintiff in a successful claim and defence of a $10 million counterclaim regarding a software licensing contractHenderson v Attorney-General [2024] NZCA 9 – junior counsel for the Attorney-General successfully responding to an appeal against the dismissal of a judicial review application. Leave to appeal dismissed in Henderson v Attorney-General [2024] NZSC 61Barnard v Robertson [2023] NZCA 230 – junior counsel for the successful respondent in a claim under the Family Protection Act 1955Sole counsel in various criminal appeals in the High CourtLucy has also provided advice on a range of legal issues including trusts, relationship property, construction disputes, duties under the Receiverships Act 1993, and intellectual property. She has also assisted clients to resolve disputes at mediation or through a negotiated settlement.

Lucy Kenner “Can legislative reform secure rewards for authors? Exploring options for the New Zealand Copyright Act” (2017) 48 VUWLR 571Gordon Anderson and Lucy Kenner, “Enhancing the effectiveness of minimum employment standards in New Zealand” (2019) 30(3) The Economic and Labour Relations Review 345