Peter Tomlinson

CO FOUNDER & CRIMINAL LAWYER

Criminal law has been the major focus of Peter’s law career. Peter has been practising law for more than 28 years in all areas of criminal law from minor assaults to murder, serious drug cases, sexual cases, fraud, Serious Fraud Office prosecutions, criminal appeals, proceeds of crime applications and Bill of Rights challenges including the law of search and seizure.

Peter also has extensive experience in the mental health area appearing for and looking after people afflicted with this condition in varying degrees. Peter has frequently appeared in the District Court and before the Mental Health Review Tribunal for clients under the Mental Health Act. There is often a cross-over between criminal law and mental health law and having extensive experience in both areas is invaluable.

EDUCATION & COURT ADMISSIONS

Obtained law degree at Victoria University of Wellington in 1983 and was admitted to the bar in 1984.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Admitted to the bar 1984. 1984-1987 employed in general practice in Upper Hutt for Ward McCulloch which gave Peter an excellent general grounding in the practice of law. 1987-1989 employed by Laurenson and Rasch in Kilbirnie Wellington. 1989-1999 consultant at Sladden Cochrane & Co, Wellington focusing on criminal and family law. Moved to Auckland from Wellington in 2000 and began sole practice and has been so ever since. Peter has previously been a member of District Legal Aid committees. In 2001 he lectured in criminal law in the Law Professionals course in Auckland. Criminal law has been the major focus of Peter’s law career. Peter has been involved successfully in all areas of criminal law from minor assaults to murder, serious drug cases, sexual cases, fraud, SFO prosecutions, criminal appeals, traffic law, proceeds of crime applications and Bill of Rights challenges.