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40 Walker Street Chambers

3.6(5 reviews)Poor (-95%)
12 team members9 practice areas
03 661 7000
40 Walker Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011

Review Summary

Clients consistently report extremely negative experiences, particularly with legal aid cases. Multiple reviewers describe lawyers as lazy, uncommunicative, and ineffective, with specific complaints about Ruby, Arabella, and Anslem Williams. Common themes include lawyers allegedly encouraging clients to lie, quitting difficult cases, providing Google-level advice, and delivering poor outcomes despite high legal aid costs. Several reviewers warn others to avoid the firm entirely, suggesting they'd be better off representing themselves or using duty lawyers.

Generated from 5 Google reviews and NZ Law Society data

Why Choose 40 Walker Street Chambers?

Full-Service Firm

Covers 9 practice areas including Criminal Defence, Criminal Trials, Bail Applications and more.

Practice Areas

Criminal Defence
Criminal Trials
Bail Applications
Sentencing
Criminal Appeals
Coronial Hearings
Investigations
Forensic Science Consultation
Expert Witness Testimony

Our Team

12 team members

Anne Gordon

Barrister

Criminal DefenceJury TrialsJudge Alone TrialsBailSentencingCriminal Appeals

Arabella Jarman

Barrister

Criminal DefenceJury TrialsJudge Alone TrialsBailSentencingCriminal Appeals

Danielle Steyn

Barrister

Criminal DefenceJury TrialsJudge Alone TrialsBailSentencingCriminal Appeals

Dr Anna Sandiford

Associate Member (Forensic Expert)

Forensic ScienceExpert Witness TestimonyCase ReviewCriminal Appeals

Eric Yu

Barrister

Criminal DefenceJury TrialsJudge Alone TrialsBailSentencingCriminal Appeals

Glynn Rigby

Associate Member (Investigative Expert)

InvestigationsCorporate FraudAsset RecoveryCriminal Case Investigation

Jessica Campbell

Barrister

Criminal DefenceJury TrialsJudge Alone TrialsBailSentencingCriminal Appeals

Josh Lucas

Barrister

Criminal DefenceJury TrialsJudge Alone TrialsBailSentencingCriminal Appeals

Kathy Basire

Barrister

Criminal DefenceJury TrialsJudge Alone TrialsBailSentencingCriminal Appeals

Kerryn Beaton KC

Barrister

Criminal DefenceJury TrialsJudge Alone TrialsBailSentencingCriminal Appeals

Kirsten Gray

Barrister

Criminal DefenceJury TrialsJudge Alone TrialsBailSentencingCriminal Appeals

Ruby Adams

Barrister

Criminal DefenceJury TrialsJudge Alone TrialsBailSentencingCriminal Appeals

Client Reviews

3.6
5 total reviewsPoor (-95%)
5 star
0
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1
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4
A
Andrea Wooda year ago

So far unimpressed with the lack of communication towards there clients on legal aid !!that isn't professional,helpful or ok at all. What do they get paid for ?disappointed and have lost faith in this firm. From experiences there are alot of slack (uninterested in there legal aid clients) barristers and lawyers in chch .where's the care and compassion for there clients or is it just easy money ur making ??

N
Nathan4 months ago

Terrible lawyers, lazy, slow, poor communication. Fired Ruby as she was hopeless. The other reviews are correct if you use legal aide they will give you B grade service.

s
soild solar8 months ago

Absolutely a waste of time and money!! Arabella helped with absolutely nothing!! I would have been better off with a duty lawyer or representing myself!!! Instead of ending up with a massive bill. Complete waste of money. Arabella made absolutely no difference! And the truth was.. I was never a dangerous driver, and never have I in my life!! Disgusting service, and communication!!

J
Jo Violet2 years ago

Lawyer wanted client to lie in court then quit when client got too difficult. Was a legal aid appointed lawyer. Complaints to law society and legal aid have also been made. Obviously the lawyer wanted a easy case and has to actually do some work so can't just claim legal aid money easily, so quit. How could a client trust a weak lawyer that quits when the going gets tough . Too much hard work for her.

J
Jennifer Ka year ago

This review is for Anslem Williams. Whatever you do, make sure you do not let this man represent you. You are better off representing your self. $90,000 of legal aid paid out to a man who gives information that can be found more accurately on Google. If you need to fight the good fight, choose anyone else but this man. I think because it was legal aid he didn't give a toss. Playing with people's lives like that should be a crime within it self. The absolute lack of care was astonishing. A stranger on the road could have stood up for this client more than Anslem did. Funnily enough, the person I'm complaining on behalf of is celled up with someone who also had anslem as their legal aid and they literally had the same experience. No effort whatsoever from Anslems side and this guy is now going through an appeal via a different lawyer. So just goes to show, legal aid clients, he will NOT fight for. Save your time. Sadly the other guy only got charged 40+k in legal fees compared to 90k that we got charged. Gosh what day light robbery for such a cheap outcome. You have been warned. Also I know the business will reply with their generic bull asking me to PM them and they will help but you can't help anymore. He's pleaded guilty and is doing his undeserved time no thanks to Anslem Williams. (BTW this client had 0 evidence as to what he was being convicted for yet this Einstein still told him to plead guilty to make his job easier. So if you're a client, more so a legal aid one, you have been warned. I'm sure that there are many other clients with the same feedback but are probably afraid to speak up or they're in jail and not able to speak up. Thanks for reading.

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