Contact Kellie
Phone
Postal address
PO Box 207, Shortland Street,
Auckland 1140
Kellie Arthur
BARRISTER
He uri nō Ngāti Toa Rangatira
Kellie has a broad practice, acting in a range of civil and commercial disputes. Her practice encompasses contract and tort claims, trusts and estates litigation, property disputes, coronial inquiries, and human rights cases. She has appeared in the Court of Appeal, High Court, District Court, Coroners Court, and in domestic and international arbitrations. Kellie is a civil legal aid provider.
Kellie is recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a leading practitioner in Trusts and Estates Litigation.
Kellie is known for her personable manner, quick mind and robust and pragmatic approach to legal problems.
Before joining the Independent Bar in 2018, Kellie worked at Chapman Tripp, where she advised and acted for clients in a range of complex commercial disputes. Prior to her legal career, Kellie worked in New Zealand and internationally providing strategic advice to large, corporate clients.
Alongside her practice, Kellie is Vice President (Auckland) and Council Member of the New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o te Ture (NZBA). She also is on the NZBA Management Committee, and has previously co-chaired the NZBA Conference Committee and the NZBA Membership and Wellbeing Committee. Kellie is a faculty member of the NZLS CLE Litigation Skills Programme. Kellie is an Adjunct Instructor with the College of Law New Zealand, teaching Civil Litigation and Advocacy. She is a former Vice-President of Auckland Women Lawyers’ Association.
Qualifications
LLB (Hons), University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau, 2010
BA, BCA (Hons), Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka, 1997
Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, 2011
Memberships
New Zealand Bar Association | Ngā Ahorangi Motuhake o te Ture
New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa
Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa
Auckland Women Lawyers’ Association
Lawyers for Climate Action New Zealand Inc.
Notable cases
Inquiry into the death of Malachi Rain Subecz (2025) – representing Interested Party.
Patel v Patel [2022] NZHC 3567
Counsel for first, third and fourth defendants/respondents in constructive trust proceedings in the High Court and Court of Appeal. The plaintiff brought a derivative action in equity on behalf of parents’ estates. Clients were successful on all grounds in the High Court and Court of Appeal. The plaintiff applied unsuccessfully for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Laboyrie v Mills [2022] 2 NZLR 258; [2020] NZHC 700
Counsel, with Simon Foote KC, for plaintiffs/respondents in High Court trial and Court of Appeal hearing regarding a family dispute over estate property. The case concerned common intention constructive trusts, the Pallant v Morgan equity, advancing estoppel in the face of a statute, and non-party costs awards against sole executor/sole beneficiary of an estate. Clients were successful on all grounds in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Hawaiki Submarine Cable LP v Tonga Cable Ltd [2019] NZAR 177
Counsel, with Rob Latton, for plaintiff in High Court proceeding. Successful setting aside of respondent’s protest to jurisdiction. Case notable for the Court’s application of the “doctrine of infection” in relation to guarantees. This case is the first time the doctrine was applied by a New Zealand court.
Chiem v Fordyce Company Limited [2022] NZHC 1978
Counsel, with Rob Latton, for plaintiff in High Court proceeding. Successfully defended a multi-million dollar counterclaim in negligence.
Li v 110 Formosa (NZ) Limited [2018] NZHC 3418
Counsel, with James Burt, for a defendant in High Court proceedings alleging constructive trust, breach of fiduciary duty, and resulting trust in relation to the purchase of a significant parcel of land in Auckland. The claims against the client were settled in advance of trial.
Family Protection Act 1955 cases
Counsel in multiple High Court proceedings under the Family Protection Act 1955. All proceedings settled in advance of trial.
Significant commercial arbitrations
Appeared as part of the defence team (with Alan Galbraith KC, Jane Anderson KC (as her Honour was then), Adam Ross KC, Daniel Kalderimis and Marie Wisker) in a significant commercial UNCITRAL arbitration, seated and sitting in Singapore.
Appeared as part of defence team (with Jack Hodder KC, Adam Ross KC and James Burt) in relation to a reinsurance dispute arising out of the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence.
