Annabel Ives, together with Jo Wickliffe and Annabel Cresswell established Pohutukawa Chambers in 2022.

Prior to that she was one of the founding members of Guardian Chambers. She was admitted to the bar in 1999 and has practised exclusively in criminal law and since 2001 has been in practice on her own account. Annabel has steadily built up her practice and developed from defending Police charges to representing client charged with offences punishable by a maximum term of life imprisonment. Her years of daily appearances in the Auckland District Court and regular appearances in the High Court over the years mean that she has longstanding relationships with Court staff enabling her to have matters processed quickly and effectively.

Since 2010, she has focused increasingly on work in the trial jurisdiction specialising in drug charges and violent offending including aggravated robbery, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and kidnapping.

Annabel has regular success in obtaining bail for her clients whether in the District Court or in the High Court. She is well-versed in the Bail Act provisions and principles and rarely has many clients remanded in custody for long. Similarly, she is renowned for her favourable results in appeals against conviction and/or sentence.  

Her practice is largely based in the Auckland and Manukau District Courts  however she appears regularly in trials in the Auckland High Court.  Annabel has conducted trials and hearings in Courts as diverse as Rotorua, Kaikohe, Whangarei and Gisborne. 

Annabel has considerable experience and knowledge of multi-defendant interception trials having appeared in a number of lengthy High Court and District Court drug trials. This experience has given her a detailed understanding of the complex legal issues which often arise in such trials including co-conspirators' law, admissibility issues and hearsay.

Annabel actively keeps up to date with developments in criminal law and the law of evidence and is well-versed in Bill of Rights / Search and Surveillance Act. She believes that an important component of the role of an effective criminal advocate involves policing the police to ensure that defendants' rights are protected.

Many of Annabel’s regular clients have had her as their lawyer since their first appearance in the District Court in their late teens. Those, or their family members, who continue to offend over the years inevitably turn to her to represent them whether it is to obtain bail, defend the charges or to obtain the least restrictive sentence.  

Some of Annabel’s proudest moments in her practice have been when clients who she has acted for over the years rehabilitate and make positive changes to their lives. She is in regular contact with a variety of rehabilitative services and is able to advise clients as to their best options. As a result, she regularly obtains the least restrictive sentencing outcome for clients – even those facing serious charges.  

Annabel prides herself on the rapport she has with her clients; she fights fearlessly to achieve the best possible outcome. Where appropriate she maintains close relationships with her clients' family/whanau members.  

Annabel is available to instruct privately or as a preferred counsel on legal aid for matters which have a maximum penalty of over 10 years imprisonment.