Deborah is a Law Honours graduate from the University of Auckland (BA/LLB, Hons). Since admission to the Bar in 1999, she has been practising in refugee and immigration law (including citizenship), and human rights law (including family, civil, employment and criminal law). She is assisted by Simon Lamain (Junior Barrister) and Sam Parsons (Law Clerk). 

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From 2008-2011, Deborah was a senior legal consultant to a Geneva human rights organization, Al Karama (Dignity) which represents victims of grave human rights violations in the Arab region. She worked closely with the United Nations human rights protections mechanisms, regional human rights protection mechanisms and international organisations. 

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Zaoui Case

Deborah was co-counsel for the Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui, successfully representing him in the review of the first national security risk certificate issued in New Zealand from 2003- 2007. This was a landmark case which saw successful applications and appeals before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court – with Rodney Harrison QC as lead counsel.

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Reported Cases

Some reported cases in which Deborah has appeared as part of the legal team in the higher courts are: 

 

• Attorney-General v Refugee Council of New Zealand Inc - [2003] 2 NZLR 577

• Zaoui v Attorney-General (No 2) - [2006] 1 NZLR 289

• Zaoui v Attorney-General - [2005] 1 NZLR 577 

• Attorney-General v X - [2008] 2 NZLR 579

• ZHOU v CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR [2010] NZEMPC 162 ARC 115/10