Aishwarya Bagchi
Senior Associate | Kaiwawao Mātāmua

PhD in Law, LLM (First Class Honours), LLB, BSc (Statistics and Economics)

Contact
asb@lcc.co.nz
+64 4 473 2163

 

Aish specialises in regulatory prosecutions and appellate work, judicial reviews, claims under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and compliance advisory work for public and private sector clients.

She appears in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal in a range of matters. In 2023 and 2024, Aish received awards from Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley in recognition of her pro bono advisory work on behalf of LCC.

Recent and notable work:

  • Appearing for WorkSafe New Zealand in proceedings before the Court of Appeal as to whether a trust is a "person" who can be prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (on appeal from WorkSafe New Zealand v RHJY Trust [2023] NZHC 3871);

  • Acting for the Attorney-General in proceedings by a former prisoner concerning the denial of her minimum entitlement during the COVID-19 pandemic (Mitchell v Attorney-General [2025] NZHC 172);

  • Representing a regional council in appeal proceedings concerning convictions for "wetland"-related offences (Page v Greater Wellington Regional Council [2024] NZCA 51; [2024] NZCA 383; [2024] NZSC 179);

  • Acting for the Electrical Workers Registration Board in appeal proceedings alleging breaches of fair trial rights and unlawful performance of “prescribed electrical work” (Kipping v Electrical Workers Registration Board [2024] NZHC 1557; [2025] NZCA 416);

  • Acting for the investigator in disciplinary proceedings before the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board;

  • Advising and acting for the Department of Corrections in a range of judicial review proceedings and proceedings under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990;

  • Advising and acting for the Forensic Coordination Service in complex proceedings under the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003 and the Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003;

  • Acting for the New Zealand Transport Agency in numerous appeals against licensing decisions;

  • Acting for expert consenting panels in appeals against decisions under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act 2020;

  • Providing advice and presenting seminars to incorporated societies and charitable entities; and

  • Representing Luke Cunningham Clere on New Zealand’s inaugural inter-firm collaborative to promote pro bono work.

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