Gowan Duff Barrister
Strategic advocacy. Practical advice. Proven results
Services
We handle criminal charges from first police contact through to final appeal.
Whatever stage you're at - investigation, arrest, bail, trial, sentencing, parole or appeal - we provide the representation you need.
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Police contact before charges are laid. What happens now shapes everything that follows. We attend interviews, protect rights, and engage with police and prosecutors early—sometimes preventing charges, sometimes preserving the defence that wins at trial.
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You're in custody or terrified you're about to be. We fight to get you home. District Court, High Court, Court of Appeal—we make bail applications at every level. If you've been declined, we appeal. If conditions are unworkable, we vary them. Electronic monitoring, curfews, residential requirements—we find the combination that gets you out.
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You're facing trial and everything is on the line. We defend you in Judge-alone or jury trials in the District Court and High Court. We defend all charges including:
Murder & manslaughter.
Drug & organised crime.
Sexual offences.
Serious violence & robbery.
Fraud & dishonesty.
Driving & regulatory matters.
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Not every case goes to trial, and not every guilty plea means imprisonment. We negotiate with prosecutors, identify weaknesses in the Crown case, and secure outcomes that protect your future. Discharge without conviction. Home detention instead of imprisonment. The goal is the best possible result—whatever that looks like for you.
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Appeal: The trial is over but the conviction is wrong. The sentence is crushing. You feel like no one listened. Appeals exist because the system makes mistakes—and we help to identify them. Court of Appeal, Supreme Court.
Parole: Release isn't automatic. We prepare applications, attend hearings, and advocate before the Parole Board for the earliest possible release on the best possible conditions.
Barristers
Gowan Duff and Fred Choi operate from Mātai Chambers in central Auckland. Together they provide criminal defence representation across all courts and stages of proceedings.
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Barrister
Eight years specialising in criminal defence. Defends charges from murder to drink driving with equal commitment.
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BarristerBuilding a criminal defence practice with proven results. Fluent in Korean and English for direct client communication.
Instruction and fees
Gowan and Fred are available for instruction on all criminal matters, both privately and through legal aid.
The reality is that litigation isn't cheap, but like our approach to defence, there's no single approach to costs. Following initial consultation, we provide transparent fee proposals. Every case is different; every client's situation is unique. We'll find an arrangement that works - whether that's hourly rates, fixed fees for defined work, or payment arrangements that work for your situation.
We hold PAL 1-4 approvals and accept legal aid for appropriate matters. We assist with eligibility and applications.