Partner - Auckland

Steve Symon

Steve is one of New Zealand’s leading regulatory compliance and criminal prosecutors.

Steve is one of New Zealand’s leading regulatory compliance and criminal prosecutors.

Steve Symon

About

Steve undertakes some of the largest and most complex prosecutions for Worksafe, Ministry of Primary Industries, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand Customs Service and New Zealand Corrections.

He advises government departments and agencies on regulatory enforcement strategies, including the detection, investigation, and prosecution of offences. Together with the wider MC team, he supports clients by providing staff training and capability building at all levels.

Steve has appeared at all levels of New Zealand’s courts, having conducted more than 100 criminal trials as well as hundreds of pre-trials, sentencings and bail hearings.

He also co-led MC’s regulatory practice following the 2007-08 Global Financial Crisis, including the prosecution of finance company directors.

Recent Cases & Achievements

WorkSafe v Whakaari Management Ltd

Acted for WorkSafe in its largest and most complex prosecution ever, involving 10 PCBUs and three officers, following the investigation into the 2019 Whakaari eruption.

Ministry of Primary Industries v Angus Allan Epicurean Dairy Ltd [2019] NZDC 21845

Prosecution of a manufacturer of yoghurt products for the domestic and export markets, and its general manager, for failing to report positive listeria results.

R v Spence [2020] NZDC 7773 

First matter to be prosecuted under s 138A of the Companies Act 1993 for serious breach of director duties, plus charges under the Insolvency Act 2006.

R v Central Plumbing Ltd and Michael James Cartwright [2021] NZDC 1488

Prosecution by Energy Safety relating to a young boy's death from asphyxiation in a incorrectly installed gas shower, which was technically difficult, and challenging for the deceased's family.

Auckland Council v Hill [2020] NZCA 52; [2020] 3 NZLR 603

Precedent-setting Court of Appeal decision, resolving conflicting High Court judgments on the requirements to order the destruction of dogs that inflict serious injuries.

Credentials

Admitted as NZ Barrister and Solicitor, 2002

LLB/BA, University of Auckland