Sally has extensive experience in advising and representing the Crown and public sector clients in criminal prosecutions, regulatory enforcement, health law, human rights, public law, coronial inquests and professional discipline.
Sally is an experienced advocate appearing for the Crown in serious criminal prosecutions in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. She advises and appears for a number of regulatory bodies with a particular interest in coronial and mental health work.
She has regularly appeared before the Parole Board in respect of high risk offenders and advises government departments on a range of litigation.
She is on the NZICA Regulatory Board, a member of the Serious Fraud office Panel of Prosecutors, the Commerce Commission Panel of Cartel Prosecutors and is an external moderator for the Institute of Professional Legal studies. She is also on the faculty of the NZLS Litigation Skills Programme and presents seminars for the New Zealand Law Society as well as clients.
Sally has worked with clients to create and implement codes of conduct and complaints processes, and advises professional conduct committees appointed under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act.
Before joining Luke Cunningham Clere Sally worked as a Crown Prosecutor in the South Island. Previously she was a Barrister in England having been admitted to the Inner Temple in 1994. In England her practice was predominantly on the South West Circuit and comprised of criminal cases (both prosecution and defence) as well as undertaking work in public and family law. She qualified as a civil mediator in England in 2008 and was part of a team establishing an accredited mediation service within chambers before moving to NZ later that same year.
Recent and notable work:
Lead prosecutor of a $2million fraud on the Vintage Aviator Limited [2019] NZHC 3209; [2022] NZCA 145.
Lead prosecutor on one of the largest arsons in New Zealand: “the scale of personal loss and distress to over 300 people is unparalleled” France J [2015] NZHC 77,
Lead Prosecutor of the murder of a 5 month old child.
Lead prosecutor on a homicide involving complex CPMIP considerations.
Lead counsel acting for the Ministry of Health in proceedings under the Fair Trading Act 1986 to prevent an unincorporated society from claiming to be able to issue practising certificates to health care providers [2023] NZHC 1683.
Lead counsel for the Government Agencies on the Malachi Subecz coronial inquest.
Lead counsel acting in a coronial inquest involving two suicides in a mental health facility.
Acting for the Suicide Prevention Office in a coronial inquest involving youth suicide in a particular region of New Zealand.
Lead counsel for the Medical Council in a High Court appeal concerning a Tribunal finding of misconduct against a doctor [2025] NZHC 4160.
Acting for the Ministry of Health on a restricted patient application.
Advising and acting on the new regulatory appeal framework implemented under Part 5A of the Credit, Contracts and Consumer Finance Act.
Advising an incorporated society on the creation of a code of conduct and complaints regime.
Acting and advising the Valuer General in matters before the Valuers Registration Board
Representing the standards committee for the New Zealand Law Society in a case involving sexual misconduct by a lawyer against employees
Acting for ESR in the Havelock North water Inquiry