Fred ChoiBarrister
Fred is a barrister at Mātai Chambers, appearing in the District Court and the High Court from bail and sentencing through to trial and appeal. He prepares every case as though it will go to trial.
Background
Fred’s work covers the range of criminal defence: bail, sentencing, discharges without conviction, appeals, and trials. He works with Gowan Duff across that range, including the larger trials. Recent results include a sentence cut by 20 months on appeal in the High Court, bail granted on appeal, and charges withdrawn before they reached a hearing.
His preparation is thorough. He reads the disclosure closely, because the point that changes a case can sit on a single page: a time that does not line up, a search carried out without a warrant, a statement that says less than the charge needs it to.
Clients know where they stand with him. He is clear from the first meeting about the result they need, and runs the case towards it.
Families are part of that work. When someone is arrested, it is usually a partner or a parent who makes the first call. Fred keeps them up to date on what is happening and why, and tells them what they can do to help, from offering a bail address to writing a letter for the Judge. He also speaks Korean, so clients and families who are more comfortable in Korean can talk to him in it.
Before law he spent years in customer-facing work, and at university he was co-president of the Korean Law Students' Association. He graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology, and was admitted in 2024.
- Admitted
- 2024
- Courts
- District Court and High Court
- Languages
- English and Korean
Selected results
Bail granted on appeal
Bail was declined in the District Court. On appeal, the High Court granted it.
High Court · 2026Sentence reduced by 20 months on appeal
A starting point beyond range for a low-level street dealer, and a two-year firearm uplift cut to 12 months. 26 months' imprisonment in place of 46. For Gowan Duff.
High Court · 2026A discharge without conviction for drink driving
A reading more than two and a half times the limit and a crash, but no previous record, full reparation, and a career just beginning. With Gowan Duff.
District Court · 2026Home detention for precursor offending
Sentenced almost twenty years after the verdict. The prosecution sought imprisonment; eight months' home detention was imposed. With Gowan Duff.
District Court · 2026Home detention for methamphetamine supply
Supply, offer to supply, and possession for supply, with a firearm. Eleven months' home detention, after credit for time on EM bail. Sole counsel.
District Court · 2026Methamphetamine supply charges dismissed
Police searched a private home without a warrant, the evidence was excluded, and all three supply charges were dismissed. With Gowan Duff.
District Court · 2026A discharge without conviction for assault
A group assault and a previous conviction, with a drainlaying career at risk. For Gowan Duff.
District Court · 2025Home detention for arson
$110,000 of damage to commercial premises. With Gowan Duff.
District Court · 2025Drive-by shooting charges withdrawn
The jury could not agree, and the prosecution withdrew all charges. With Gowan Duff.
District Court · 2024