Gowan Duff

Gowan Duff is a criminal defence barrister with eight years' experience in serious criminal litigation. Gowan represents clients facing charges ranging from regulatory offences to homicide, including drug conspiracies, sexual offences, and violent offending. He has particular expertise in jury trials, appellate advocacy, and cases requiring detailed document analysis.

Background and Credentials

Gowan holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Auckland (2013). He began his career working with a senior barrister on international commercial arbitration matters before transitioning to insurance litigation at a central Auckland firm. In 2017, he commenced practice as a criminal defence barrister, bringing commercial litigation discipline to criminal defence practice. He holds PAL 1-4 legal aid provider approvals and has served on the New Zealand Bar Association Council, New Zealand Rugby Union Disputes Tribunal, and Legal Aid Selection Committee. Gowan is a co-founder of Mātai Chambers.

Experience

Gowan has conducted eight homicide trials as junior and co counsel and appeared in hundreds of criminal matters in the District Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of criminal law, from first-time offenders to repeat clients, professionals to those facing life imprisonment. He has developed expertise both as sole counsel and as part of larger defence teams in multi-defendant trials.

Instructions

Gowan accepts both private instructions and legal aid assignments (PAL 1-4). He is available for all criminal matters in the District Court, High Court, and appellate courts. Instructing solicitors are welcome to contact chambers directly.

Recent case examples

R v Gabriel and others [2025] NZHC: Co counsel in homicide trial. Successfully argued dismissal of the murder charge resulting in manslaughter only being considered by the jury.

R v Tufa'anatu [2025] NZDC: Lead counsel with Fred Choi securing home detention sentence for client charged with arson causing $110,000 damage to commercial premises. See article.

R v Beecher [2025] NZDC: Lead counsel with Fred Choi achieving discharge without conviction. Original charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm reduced to assault.

R v Yuan [2025] NZDC: Lead counsel with Guneesh Jubal securing acquittal on all sexual violation charges following jury trial.

R v Dhairwal [2025] NZDC: Lead counsel with Fred Choi obtaining discharge without conviction for assault charges, preventing client's deportation.

R v Takitaki [2025] NZDC: Lead counsel with Fred Choi securing home detention on drug importation, possession for supply and firearms charges.

R v Taufui’aevalu [2024] NZDC: Lead counsel for defendant facing charges arising from a drive-by shooting. Jury unable to reach verdict, with prosecution subsequently withdrawing all charges rather than proceeding to retrial.

R v Mahe [2024] NZDC: Lead counsel securing mid-trial resolution on threat to kill and assault charges. Successfully argued self-defence, with prosecution accepting defence position and withdrawing assault charges.

R v Nathan [2024] NZHC: Junior counsel in successful murder defence based on self-defence, resulting in complete acquittal. See article.