Tony Ellis
Lawyers say legal aid system in crisis
New Zealand's legal aid system is in crisis according to some lawyers.
They say lawyers are ditching legal aid cases due to the low remuneration, and excessive, unpaid administration.
Here's Farah… Audio
Court of appeal hearing arguments public protection orders breach human rights
A rare sitting of the Court of Appeal has been hearing arguments that public protection orders breach human rights.
The full bench of five judges has been considering the case of rapist Mark… Audio
Strict legal aid rules for civil courts causing concerns
Ministry of Justice figures show that there's a concerning trend of people braving the civil court without a lawyer. Audio
Govt pays inmate $10,000 for unlawful solitary confinement
A convicted murderer will be paid $10,000 by the government for being unlawfully held in solitary confinement. This after the UN Committee Against Torture ruled inmate John Vogel had his human rights… Audio
Murderer should be compensated - UN committee
The government should compensate a murderer who was unlawfully held in solitary confinement, says the UN. Audio
Court ruling on murderer's toupee called 'absurd decision'
The Sensible Sentencing Trust has criticised a High Court ruling that the Corrections Department breached the rights of convicted murderer Phillip John Smith by not letting him wear a toupee behind… Audio
Judge orders rethink on returning murder-accused to China
The Justice Minister has been ordered to reconsider sending an accused killer to face trial in China, because there are questions over whether he will recieve a fair trial. Audio
Lawyer wants to take up long-serving prisoner's case
A human rights lawyer says he plans to fight for the release of the country's longest serving prisoner - 77-year-old child sex offender, Alfred Vincent. Audio
Phillip John Smith's lawyer wants stay of proceedings
Counsel for the convicted murderer and sex offender Phillip John Smith says his client's rights under the Bill of Rights Act have been breached and he will apply for a stay in proceedings over escape… Audio
Smith's lawyer reacts to Corrections fallout
Phillip Smith's lawyer is Tony Ellis speaks with Susie Ferguson. Audio
Smith's lawyer expects more charges for alleged accomplices
Phillip John Smith's lawyer says a further accomplice in his client's escape could be in front of a court early in the New Year. Audio
Philip Smith says he's named the officer that helped him
The lawyer for the convicted murderer and paedophile Phillip John Smith says his client has named the Corrections officer he accuses of helping him escape the country. Audio
Police investigating claims a corrections officer helped escape
Police are now investigating claims a corrections officer helped convicted murderer Philip John Smith flee the country. Audio
Phillip Smith claims prison guard helped him escape
The lawyer for convicted murderer and child sex abuser Phillip Smith says his client has revealed he had help from a prison guard to escape from jail. Audio
Smith departure a surprise for NZ lawyer
The convicted murderer and child molester Phillip John Smith is on his way back to this country, after deportation from Brazil just after six am New Zealand time. Audio
Smith's departure takes lawyer by surprise
Smith's lawyer in New Zealand is Tony Ellis and today's departure has taken him by surprise. Audio
Phillip John Smith contacts his New Zealand lawyer
The lawyer for Phillip John Smith, says the fugitive murderer and child sex offender now plans to fight his return to New Zealand from Brazil. Audio
Smith in three court appearances since his arrest.
Meanwhile, Smith's lawyer, Tony Ellis, says his client has had three court appearances since his arrest five days ago but is unlikely to appear again until he has legal representation. Audio
Smith's lawyer to suggest fugitive returns voluntarily
The New Zealand lawyer of the captured fugitive, Philip John Smith, plans to discuss with him today the possibility he return to New Zealand from Brazil voluntarily. Audio
Smith lawyer hasn't been able to speak to client since arrest
The New Zealand lawyer for captured fugitive Phillip John Smith hasn't been able to speak to his client since his arrest in Brazil and says he can't even be sure of his current whereabouts in prison. Audio