Claire Hislop 
Principal - Kaihautū

BA LLB (Victoria University of Wellington)

Contact
cth@lcc.co.nz
+64 4 471 6316

 

Claire is an experienced criminal and regulatory prosecutor who regularly appears in the District and High Courts prosecuting for the Crown and various central and local government organisations.

As lead prosecutor Claire has conducted numerous trials involving allegations of sexual violation, Class A drug offending, fraud, and serious violence. She has appeared for the Department of Corrections in related proceedings involving applications for extended supervision orders.

In addition to prosecuting serious crime, Claire advises and represents government departments and regulatory bodies such as NZ Police, Waka Kotahi, the Department of Corrections, the Ministry of Heath, District Health Boards and ACC. Claire specialises in advising public sector clients concerning litigation; their statutory powers and duties; and in assisting with investigations.  This includes providing legal and strategic advice on enforcement options and alternative dispute resolution.

Claire also advises in the area of environmental compliance, monitoring and enforcement. She has advised and represented local authorities on enforcement action, including the use of abatement notices, search powers and prosecutions.

Prior to joining LCC in 2017, Claire began her career in the public sector working in the areas of criminal justice and public law, advising the Government on criminal justice law reform. This included presenting and advising to select committees and Cabinet.  She then moved to Christchurch where she worked as a defence lawyer for several years.

Recent and notable work:

Regulatory and other enforcement

  • Advising the Accident Compensation Corporation on internal processes and policies regarding prosecution and civil debt recovery, including several complex cases in both the Provider and ACC client areas.

  • Providing advice to Waka Kotahi concerning prosecutions involving breaches of transport laws and regulations.

  • Providing advice to ACC in prosecution of complex fraud cases.

Resource management

  • Counsel in prosecution and enforcement proceedings involving natural wetlands, forestry harvesting and farming operations.

  • Providing advice to local authorities concerning enforcement orders and abatement notices.

Health and public law

  • Lead counsel for the national forensic services in applications for extensions and cancellations of compulsory care orders for intellectually disabled offenders.

  • Lead counsel for the Ministry of Health in a Family Court proceeding involving a vulnerable child.