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Truc joined the Independent Bar as a Barrister sole in September 2018 with a wealth of experience as a trial lawyer in both criminal and civil litigation. Truc has significant experience in jury trials and advocacy in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.
Truc is a former Crown Prosecutor. During his time at the Crown Solicitor's Office, Truc prosecuted serious crime in the Waikato and Manawatu regions. Truc has conducted over 100 criminal trials and appeals on behalf of the Crown, Government entities and Departments, in cases ranging from fraud, serious violent offending, sexual offending, drug offending and attempted murder.
Truc also has expertise in the areas of commercial and civil litigation, securities and company law, insolvency, and employment law. Truc was one of the first litigators who joined the Financial Markets Authority upon establishment. During his time there, Truc managed the litigation of financial and securities fraud cases, including the first market manipulation case in New Zealand.
Truc is available to accept private instructions through an instructing Solicitor. If you do not have an instructing Solicitor, Truc can assist you to arrange for one. Please contact Truc in the first instance.
For those who are eligible for Legal Aid, Truc's extensive experience across a full spectrum of criminal cases means that he is approved for all categories (Provider Approval Levels 1- 4).
If a Legal Aid client is charged with a criminal offence attracting more than 10 years and/or up to life imprisonment, they can choose Truc to act for them. They can simply put Truc's details down as preferred Counsel on their Legal Aid application form.
STAFF
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ASH GRAY
Ash was admitted to the bar in 2015, having graduated with an LLB with First Class Honours (double major in political science) from the University of Waikato.
Ash began her legal career working in the litigation team at the Chapman Tripp Wellington office for three years and was mentored by some of the top litigators in the country. Ash then moved back to the Waikato where she worked at the Hamilton Crown Solicitor’s Office, as a Crown Prosecutor to further develop her advocacy skills. A significant amount of Ash’s criminal advocacy experience was undertaken in the Youth Court.
The highlights of Ash’s career include participating in high profile appellate litigation work at Chapman Tripp and gaining perspective from prosecuting serious crime committed by and against vulnerable young people.
Ash is a member of Riverbank Chambers as an employed barrister for Truc Tran assisting with his busy regulatory, civil and criminal litigation practice.
Ash is a descendant of Ngāti Hine.
LAURA HANN
Laura graduated from the University of Waikato in 2015 with a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours, before being admitted to the Bar in 2016.
Laura specialises in all aspects of criminal law, with experience also in regulatory prosecutions and civil litigation.
Since 2016, Laura worked as a Crown Prosecutor for both the Wellington and Hamilton Crown Offices where she was responsible for prosecuting a wide range of serious criminal cases, and both Judge-alone and jury trials. In 2019, Laura was recognised as an Intermediate Crown Prosecutor by the Crown Law Office given her prosecutorial experience.
In 2020, Laura joined Riverbank Chambers as an employed barrister for Truc Tran. Laura specialises in all aspects of criminal law, with experience also in regulatory prosecutions, employment and civil litigation. Laura is passionate about the law, and protecting the rights of others.
Laura is an approved PAL 2 criminal legal aid provider.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
TRIAL/COURT ADVOCACY
As lead Counsel, Truc has conducted over 100 jury and Judge alone trials as a Crown prosecutor and defence lawyer, across a full spectrum of criminal cases.
Truc has also conducted trials in civil proceedings in the District and High Courts for plaintiffs and defendants.
COMMERCIAL DISPUTES
Truc acted for an overseas Government to resolve a commercial dispute with a contractor based in New Zealand. The dispute had held up one of the Government's key infrastructure projects. The dispute was resolved through negotiations.
ESTATE LITIGATION
Truc acted for an global charity relating to a dispute against a deceased estate, resulting in a substantial pay out following a Judicial Settlement Conference.
MEDIATION/ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Truc acted for a client who had been discriminated against by one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world. The dispute was resolved through mediation at the Human Rights Commission.
REGULATORY/DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS
Have acted for and against Government agencies and Regional Councils in regulatory proceedings.
Examples of cases include Resource Management Act prosecutions, disciplinary proceedings before the Financial Advisers Disciplinary Committee.
APPEALS IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES
Truc regularly conduct appeals against convictions, sentence and bail decisions for clients.
Truc acted for the Commissioner of Police in the Court of Appeal relating to civil proceedings for proceeds of crime.
APPOINTMENT
If you need legal representation, please contact Truc for an appointment.
Level 5, The Riverbanks, 286 Victoria Street, Hamilton
+64 21 246 5979
