An Auckland-based lawyer employed by the Public Defence Service has admitted to assaulting his former girlfriend and sought urgent legal measures to prevent public disclosure of his identity. The man, who is also listed as a criminal and civil lawyer at a private firm in another city, pleaded guilty to assaulting a person in a family relationship during a hearing at Wellington District Court last week.

Although he did not request name suppression during the hearing, his legal team quickly filed an urgent application for interim name suppression on grounds of extreme hardship after a news outlet sought comment. Wellington District Court granted temporary suppression pending a full hearing on the matter.

The assault came to police attention following a report in May 2025; however, the formal complaint was not submitted until December 2025, according to a police spokesperson. An investigation led to charges being filed earlier this month. The charges are being dealt with in Wellington, although the assault reportedly occurred in Auckland and the accused now works in a different city. Police had not provided an explanation for the chosen jurisdiction by the time of publication.

If convicted, the lawyer faces a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment. He is also pursuing an application for discharge without conviction, which is scheduled for hearing later this year.

While the man’s name appears on the Law Society register as holding a current practising certificate issued in July 2025, the Law Society has confirmed it cannot comment on whether it has received any complaints related to the case due to legal restrictions. The organisation emphasized that it takes concerns about criminal conduct by lawyers seriously and outlined its disciplinary framework under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006.

According to the Law Society, criminal offending does not automatically lead to suspension from practice. Allegations or concerns must be reviewed by an independent Standards Committee, which may then refer cases to the New Zealand Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal if deemed sufficiently serious. Only the tribunal has the authority to impose suspension or remove a lawyer from the roll of barristers and solicitors.

The court proceedings and disciplinary processes remain ongoing.