Ethan Huda, barrister

criminal defence lawyer

The focus of my practice is criminal trials and appeals.

I act for people who are about to be or have been charged with violent, sexual and drug offences.

I also act for those who have been convicted and want to appeal against conviction and sentence.

Sometimes, I act for people who want to oppose the making of extended supervision orders (ESOs).

You should instruct me to act for you if you want a lawyer who will focus on the end result and provide a service that will satisfy your individual needs and not a one-size-fits-all service.

I have successfully acted for clients in criminal cases in every court in the country: District Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Notable Cases

The Queen v X — CRI-2020-009-010069

X was charged with an offence alleging unlawful sexual connection nearly a decade ago arising from a complaint made a family member.

Successfully defended my client in a jury trial.

The Queen v X — CRI-2020-009-5044

X was charged with offences alleging that he indecently assaulted a young person arising from complaints made by a family member.

Successfully defended my client in a jury trial.

H (CA651/2021) v The Queen [2022] NZCA 132

Lead counsel in an appeal heard in the Court of Appeal.

H was charged with murder. The High Court declined to suppression H’s name, address, occupation or identifying particulars.

Successfully appealed the High Court’s decision and ensured my client’s details remained suppressed until the jury’s verdict.

Haunui v The Queen [2020] NZSC 153, [2021] 1 NZLR 189 (SC)

Co-counsel in an appeal heard in the Supreme Court.

This decision is a leading case on the proper approach to determining all appeals against conviction following jury trial guilty verdicts.

Rolleston v The Queen [2020] NZSC 113, [2020] 1 NZLR 772 (SC)

Lead counsel in an appeal heard in the Supreme Court.

This decision is the leading case on the circumstances in which a court on appeal will appoint an independent person to interview a member of the jury to check if the juror was biased.

It is the only case in which the Supreme Court has granted an order to interview a juror from a trial.

Winter v The Queen [2019] NZSC 98, [2019] 1 NZLR 710 (SC)

Co-counsel in an appeal heard in the Supreme Court.

This decision is a leading case on scope of the co-conspirator’s rule and the use of lesser included offences in criminal trials.

Zhang v The Queen [2019] NZCA 507, [2019] 3 NZLR 648 (CA)

Co-counsel in an appeal heard in the Court of Appeal.

This decision is the leading case on the guidelines which all courts must follow when sentencing defendants convicted of offending involving Class A controlled drugs (e.g. methamphetamine).

Police v X — CRI-2018-009-010505

X was charged with careless driving causing brain injury to a cyclist.

Successfully defended my client in a judge-alone trial.

The Queen v X — CRI-2018-009-167

X was charged with an offence alleging assault arising from a complaint made by an ex-partner.

Successfully defended my client in a jury trial.

B.R. v The Queen [2018] NZCA 611, [2019] NZAR 79 (CA)

Lead counsel in an appeal heard in the Court of Appeal.

B.R. was sentenced to 11 years and 2 months in prison by the District Court after being convicted of offences alleging rape and unlawful sexual connection in a case involving a threesome.

Successfully appealed the sentence reducing it to 9 years and 11 months in prison.

The Queen v X — CRI-2016-009-008949

X, a previously convicted sex offender, was charged with four offences alleging rape and offences alleging kidnapping, threatening to kill, doing an indecent act on a child, and male assaults female arising from complaints made by an ex-partner and a child.

Successfully defended my client against five of the eight charges in a jury trial.

V.P. v The Queen [2018] NZCA 595

Co-counsel in an appeal heard in the Court of Appeal.

V.P. was charged with and found guilty of offences alleging manslaughter and assault with intent to rob following a jury trial in a case involving a late night group attack on a drug-dealer.

Successfully appealed the manslaughter conviction and secured a new trial for my client.

P.S. v The Queen [2017] NZCA 136, (2017) 28 CRNZ 435 (CA)

Co-counsel in an appeal heard in the Court of Appeal.

P.S. was charged with and found guilty of offences alleging rape and unlawful sexual connection following a jury trial in a case involving a threesome.

Successfully appealed the convictions and secured a new trial for my client.

Best v The Queen [2015] NZSC 167, [2017] 1 NZLR 186 (SC)

Junior counsel in an appeal heard in the Supreme Court.

This decision is the leading case on circumstances in which a defendant can offer a complainant’s sexual experience with a person other than the defendant as evidence in a criminal trial involving charges of a sexual nature.

* Most of the cases mentioned above can be accessed for free from the New Zealand Legal Information Institute or the Courts of New Zealand website *