Ben Finn
Partner | Tumuaki

LLB/BA (Hons), University of Auckland

Contact
bmf@lcc.co.nz
+64 27 3411 131

Want to join Ben at LCC Auckland, we are always on the lookout for good people.

 

Ben has extensive expertise in representing and advising public sector agencies.  He has represented the Crown, Police, Financial Markets Authority, WorkSafe, Serious Fraud Office, Commerce Commission and many other public-sector agencies in serious criminal and regulatory cases.  He is a highly experienced advocate who has appeared in numerous trials, appeals and other hearings in the District Court, High Court, Coroner’s Court and Court of Appeal.  He has regularly provided regulatory and criminal advice and training to Crown entities and private clients. Ben is a member of the Serious Fraud Office Prosecutor’s Panel and the Commerce Commission Cartel Prosecutor’s Panel.

Before joining Luke Cunningham Clere Ben worked at the Office of the Auckland Crown Solicitor for more than 14 years, becoming a Senior Crown prosecutor, and before that in London in the Crown Prosecution Service proceeds of crime team.  He started his legal career at a major New Zealand law firm working primarily in the civil and  commercial litigation team.  He has worked on secondment at both the Serious Fraud Office (2012-2013) and WorkSafe New Zealand (2020-2021).

Ben has also lectured in Criminal Procedure at the AUT.

Recent and notable work:

  • Advising and appearing as counsel for the Financial Markets Authority in relation to the execution of search warrants relating to a high-profile investigation into potential breaches of financial markets legislation: Re Reid [2025] NZHC 1857.

  • Lead prosecutor in the High Court and Court of Appeal in a serious and complex fraud prosecution brought by the Financial Markets Authority: R v Robertson [2020] NZCA 218.

  • Prosecuting complex multi-defendant proceedings brought by the Financial Markets Authority arising out of the collapse of two finance companies: R v Bublitz and others.

  • Appearing as counsel for the regulator in judicial review proceedings relating to charging decisions in regulatory criminal litigation: South Taranaki Fishing Charters v District Court [2025] NZHC 1701

  • Appearing as counsel for the Commissioner of Police in proceedings before the Court of Appeal as to whether to order an undertaking as to damages under the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Act 2009.

  • 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)

  • Principal Legal Advisor (seconded) to Worksafe New Zealand from May 2020 to July 2021, and again December 2022 – November 2023. Ben has prosecuted multiple defended hearings for the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 designated regulators including Worksafe New Zealand v McLellan Freight Limited [2023] NZDC 15451 and WorkSafe New Zealand v Culham Engineering Company Limited [2023] NZDC 26308.

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