We conduct mediation hearings for parties that wish to resolve matters prior to going to court. Mediation is very successful for Employees/ Employers, estranged parents and couples, and parties unable to resolve disputes themselves.

We are regularly appearing as counsel before the courts in New Zealand, ordinarily appearing before the Pukekohe, Manukau and Papakura courts. Cherie Hainsworth- Powrie has made thousands of appearances in various courts from the District Courts and High Court in Auckland through to the Wellington High Court. We can advise and represent parties to court proceedings in relation to the following areas of practice:

Criminal Law covers a wide range of criminal charges laid by the Police and /or the Crown, including minor Theft through to serious Assaults, Drugs and Burglaries. These matters are usually dealt with in the District Court although sometimes they may be dealt with in the High Court. We can assist defendants with advising about the court processes, realistic time frames, explaining the charges faced, likely sentences and may be able to enter into plea bargain negotiations with the Police/ and or Crown on your behalf. We can receive instructions to act relating to:

Diversion

Guilty/ Not Guilty pleas

Pleas in mitigation at sentencing where defendants have or wish to plead guilty to the charges

Bail Applications when defendants are remanded in custody

Hearings when defendants deny the charges and /or facts, or wish to defend the charges as of right

Jury Trials

There are many traffic matters for which mandatory disqualification is now imposed upon conviction. We are able to advise you if the traffic charges you face have such a mandatory disqualification. We are able to deal with traffic charges in much the same way as described above, i.e. defend the charges and/ or make submissions for a plea in mitigation on entering guilty pleas. It is important that defendants are aware that in some circumstances mandatory confiscation of your motor vehicle also applies upon conviction, i.e. that the police take your vehicle permanently and sell it. Ensure you check whether this applies to you. We can assist you with all traffic matters including:

Suspensions from driving;

Careless and Dangerous Driving;

Boy Racer charges/ Exhibition of Speed;

Drink Driving (EBA);

Driving whilst Disqualified; and

Limited Licences. (Detailed below)

If you are eligible Hainsworth Powrie Law can prepare and arrange applications for Limited Licences (work licences).

This would assist you if you have been suspended or disqualified from driving. A Limited Licence enables you to drive to and from work and for work purposes (or as otherwise specified by an Order to Issue Limited Licence).

There are restrictions on who can apply for a limited licence but generally if you haven't been disqualified from driving over the previous 5 years you should be eligible to apply. If you're unsure contact us to find out.

Most departmental matters are heard at an elected departmental court day at District Courts. In Manukau District Court they are usually held on a Friday, in Papakura District Court on a Thursday and Pukekohe District Court on a Wednesday. Prosecuting agencies are usually either lawyers from the government agencies and/ or the Crown. We can take instructions relating to all departmental matters including the following:

Fisheries;

Work & Income;

City Councils (Dog matters, building code, etc);

Inland Revenue (Tax);

Customs;

Ministry of Education; and

Housing NZ

We are knowledgeable and qualified about all aspects of family law. Cherie Hainsworth- Powrie has previously specialised in all aspects of family law, namely Custody & Access, Domestic Violence, CAPPS applications, Adoptions, DNA & Paternity Declarations, Matrimonial Property, & Dissolutions- however due to time constraints we currently only take instructions for cases relating to:

Matrimonial Property & De Facto Property (Relationship Property); and

Applications for Dissolution of marriage- joint applications and individual applications.

Hainsworth Powrie Law is able to assist employers and employees with drafting of employment contracts and interpretation relating to the same, together with representation of parties in personal grievances.

Cherie Hainsworth- Powrie has previously appeared in the High Court on a large number of liquidations, and Bankruptcies together with Summary Judgements, Proceedings, Order of Examinations, Applications for Period Detention and the like in the District Courts. However due to time constraints we currently only accept instructions relating to Summary Judgements and Proceedings on a limited basis.

Mediation, as detailed above, is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Cherie Hainsworth-Powrie is a successful mediator and arrangements can be made for her services as a mediator on a half day or full day basis. Alternative Dispute Resolution is an excellent opportunity to provide a win -win result for both parties in a situation in which the parties themselves feel like they both retain control over the result. It is also a cost effective way of trying to achieve a result before embarking on extensive litigation. Mediation can occur with either the parties and their respective legal representatives present or where agreed with just the parties by themselves. 

We are able to take agency instructions from Law Firms for appearances at the Pukekohe, Papakura and/ or Manukau District Courts.