Senior Associate - Auckland
Hershla Ifwersen
About
Hershla has more than 15 years’ experience as a civil litigator. She is a trusted expert in general dispute resolution cases of all types, with particular specialities in complex medico-legal cases where she is known for her careful approach in sensitive health legal issues whether acting for hospitals, health professionals, health care recipients or for ACC.
Hershla has a broad range of civil experience. She has appeared in courts and tribunals of all levels, having acted in a multitude of general civil and commercial proceedings, Coroner's inquests, professional disciplinary matters, applications for judicial review, and complex health funding cases.
Hershla also has extensive experience in privacy and information law. She regularly assists government agencies and others with information requests and compliance with the Privacy Act and Official Information Act. She has acted in defence of many complaints to the offices of the Ombudsman and Privacy Commissioner, and has also appeared in the successful defence of a complex claim before the Human Rights Review Tribunal.
Hershla has a particular interest in human-interest and people-centric litigation.
Recent Cases & Achievements
Abuse in State Care - Royal Commission of Inquiry
Assisting with responses of state agencies.
Coroner's inquests
Acted for a District Health Board in relation to death from meningococcal disease, and the death of a mental health inpatient.
Bill of Rights claim
Acted for a District Health Board in connection with a civil High Court Bill of Rights claim from mental health treatment in an inpatient facility.
Human Rights Review Tribunal
Appeared for a government agency in a significant Human Rights Review Tribunal hearing successfully defending a decision to withhold information.
Occupy Auckland v Auckland Council
Acted as co-counsel in the High Court and District Court seeking removal of Occupy Auckland protesters from Aotea Square.
Gill v Attorney-General
Acted as co-counsel in Court of Appeal and High Court judicial review proceedings challenging a search warrant involving patient records at a medical practice.
Health funding fraud recovery
Assisting government entities to recover wrongful health funding payments.
Credentials
BA/LLB(Hons), University of Auckland