Dennis is an expert in regulatory prosecution and enforcement.
Dennis is an experienced litigator, regularly conducting complex jury trials, Judge alone trials and disciplinary hearings on behalf of the Crown, government and statutory agencies.
In addition to conducting litigation in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal, Dennis also provides legal advice and support to a wide range of government agencies. Clients that Dennis regularly acts for and advises include the Companies Office, the Insolvency Office, the Ministry for Primary Industries, WorkSafe New Zealand, New Zealand Transport Agency, Immigration NZ, Radio Spectrum Management, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Internal Affairs, Auckland Council and the Racing Integrity Board.
Recent and notable work:
Acting for WorkSafe NZ in litigation arising out of Whakaari | White Island eruption, including the prosecution of 13 defendants under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and the Coronial Inquest.
Counsel for the Racing Integrity Board in the prosecution of a Thoroughbred trainer who was found guilty of serious misconduct offences and disqualified from the racing industry for life (RIB v John Malcolm).
Assistant member of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime, established by the Minister of Customs to provide advice to the government on New Zealand’s response to transnational organised crime.
Counsel for NZ Customs in a prosecution against three defendants, including one who went to trial, involving importation of approximately 20 million uncustomed cigarettes (Operation Whitethorn).
Prosecution of a businessman for extensive offending against the Companies Act 1993 and Insolvency Act 2006 (MBIE v Aaron Coupe)
Counsel for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in relation to a permanent director ban under the Companies Act (MBIE v Raymond Andrews)
Prosecution of an electrician for offending against the Electricity Act that resulted in a fatality (WorkSafe v Stephen Burton).
First successful prosecution in New Zealand for offending against s 138A of the Companies Act 1993 (R v Sam Spence).