Chris Wilkinson-Smith has over 25 years’ experience in criminal defence and prosecution in New Zealand.

Chris has been lead counsel for a full range of criminal matters, including the Supreme Court, Jury trails for murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm, rape, sexual violation and indecent assault, allegations of historical sexual abuse, white collar crimes, drug dealing, drug cultivation and manufacture, money laundering, firearms offences, perjury and perverting the course of justice Chris has successfully appeared in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court (2011,2013, 2015 and 2024) 

After a number of years as a Prosecutor he was appointed as a Senior Crown Counsel in 2000 and continued as a Crown Prosecutor until 2004.  He then set up as a Defence Barrister.  Having worked in both prosecution and defence gives Chris a great insight into the workings of the Court and this experience is extra helpful in representing his clients as he understands the process well from both perspectives. 

“Defending criminal charges and overturning convictions takes hard work, clear thinking and a winning court performance.” 

Chris has also practiced civil litigation since 1995, including Proceeds of Crime and False imprisonment as a civil litigation in the High Court civil jurisdictions and District Court. Including successful litigation in trust and wills cases between 5 and 10 million dollars value 

Chris was President of the New Zealand Criminal Bar Association in 2023. 

He was a faculty member of the NZ Law Society Litigation Skills programme from 2007 to 2025 and has also regularly attended NZ Law Society training programs for litigators, including the expert witness program.  Chris undertook further training overseas, including two courses  with New York’s Columbia Law school including a course at The Hague and in Manhattan (2025).He has also participated as in numerous Criminal law conferences in the United States between 2012 and 2025 including Project Innocence. 

Chris is available for cases throughout New Zealand Chris is available for cases throughout New Zealand.