Tauranga, New Zealand

Duncan
McWilliam

Barrister  ·  Criminal Litigation Specialist

30 years of experience in criminal litigation. Rigorous, direct, and committed to the most robust defence available to every client.

What I Do About Me
Duncan McWilliam Barrister

About Me

Over 30 years at
the criminal bar

I have appeared as counsel in over 30 homicide trials for both the Crown and defence. I have appeared in significant cases before judges and juries in the High Court and District Court throughout the Western Bay of Plenty and Waikato, including murder, serious violent and sexual offending, class A drug offending and money laundering. I have also appeared in the Court of Appeal.

Admitted to the bar in 1996, I joined the Tauranga Crown Solicitor's firm in 1999, becoming a senior prosecutor in 2004 and partner in 2006. I served as counsel for the Solicitor-General and the Commissioner of Police in High Court proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act and the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.

I was appointed Deputy Public Defender for Tauranga in 2013, and have held roles as senior and principal Crown prosecutor in Hamilton, Rotorua, and Tauranga. I returned to the defence bar in 2023.

I have been a member of the teaching faculty at the New Zealand Law Society Litigation Skills programme since 2008.

1996
Admitted to the Bar
2006
Partner, Crown Solicitor's Firm
2013
Deputy Public Defender, Tauranga
2008–
NZLS Litigation Skills Faculty

What I Do

Experienced representation
in serious criminal matters

I provide robust, practical advice to my clients — I tell them what they need to know, not what they want to hear.

01
Jury & Judge-Alone Trials
District Court and High Court, at all charge levels.
02
Sentencing
District Court and High Court sentencing representation.
03
Discharge Without Conviction
Applications to avoid conviction where appropriate.
04
Name Suppression
Applications for name suppression at all stages.
05
Nationwide Instructions
Available for criminal trials throughout New Zealand.

Approved preferred provider for PAL 3 and 4 criminal legal aid matters

Approved provider for Court of Appeal and Supreme Court legal aid matters

Instruct Me

Contact Me

Get in touch

Whether you are a client seeking representation or a Solicitor looking to brief a Barrister, I welcome your enquiry.

Chambers

Spring Street Chambers
First Floor, 27 Spring Street, Tauranga

Phone

021 503 162

Email

Duncan@McWilliam.co.nz

Postal Address

P O Box 5105
Mount Maunganui South, 3149