Matthew Smith

Background

About Matthew Smith

Matthew has a broad public and commercial law practice, encompassing regulatory, Māori, human rights and environmental law. He has special expertise in judicial review and in the use of public law tools to achieve legal, regulatory and policy outcomes. Matthew works across the entire range of public law and has acted for individuals, entities of many kinds (including companies, incorporated societies, Māori incorporations and trusts), public sector bodies (including Crown entities and commissions of inquiry), industry groups and NGOs.Matthew has appeared in all of the higher Courts, and in a number of specialist courts and tribunals – in witness trials, banco (written evidence) proceedings and in appeals. In addition to his litigation work, Matthew is experienced in providing practical and understandable legal and strategic advice and support in a range of settings, including public inquiries, regulatory investigations, public consultation processes and Parliamentary/law reform processes. Matthew is currently a member of the external sub- committee of the Legislation Design and Advisory Committee, and has previously been appointed amicus curiae in High Court proceedings and as counsel assisting a public inquiry.Matthew is also sole author of the New Zealand Judicial Review Handbook (2 ed, 2016) and he speaks regularly on public law and judicial review at law conferences and events.