Cheryl Simes - Barrister

More about Cheryl

Last updated 30 August 2004                 © Cheryl Simes

I became a lawyer after an earlier career in archives, information, and library management.  I had a M.A. (Hons) in history and politics, and subsequently also studied quality management (especially in service organisations).

I changed careers for a number of reasons, not least a termination of employment that at the time was devastating.

Law school took 3 years (because I already had a previous degree, otherwise it would have taken 4). When I finished my LL.B (Hons) degree, I was surprised to find that I was the top student in my year.

I am married (with 2 dogs) and didn’t want to leave the Waikato, although I was advised that with my grades I ought to go to Auckland or Wellington. I worked as a staff solicitor for 3 years, and then set up practice as a barrister sole.

The kind of work that I do is largely reflected in this website. My main focus is general civil litigation—people suing each other or the government, or being sued, usually in the District Court or High Court although I have also appeared in the Court of Appeal, Maori Land Court, and various tribunals. 

I do no criminal law at all, so please don’t ask me about bail, drunk driving, speeding fines, or burglary charges. 

Similarly, in family law, I don’t do the kind of work that arises from family breakups—access, custody, relationship property—or CYF involvement or adoptions.  (I can probably suggest someone else who can help.)

The types of Family Court work that I accept are applications for protection orders; disputed estates and wills; and representation under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act.

I was on the Council of the Waikato Bay of Plenty District Law Society from 1999 to 2004. I also edited the Society’s newsletter throughout that period. Currently I am on the Complaints Committee and EEO Committee.

Recently I co-ordinated a private voluntary project to send law books to law schools in Iraq—because Iraqi law students need to be able to learn about the rule of law, human rights, constitutional government, and the basics that we take for granted. (And yes, most of them read English.) 

You may find an occasional article by me in the New Zealand Law Journal or elsewhere. I also contribute a chapter to Lexis-Nexis Wills and Succession.

In 2002 and 2003 I helped to fill some lecturing gaps at the Waikato Law School, in company law and equity (especially trustees’ duties and powers, and charitable trusts).

In short, I know how it feels to be human, I care about justice, and — although I don’t pretend to know everything — I’m reasonably good at knowing where to find out.  I also try to keep my fees reasonable and affordable.

If you ask your solicitor to instruct me, I’ll do my best for you.

In the last 3 years I’ve tried making fruit wines. The first glass of the first batch landed me flat on my back in the university law library one evening.

(There is absolutely no moral intended in this story.)