Alex Ashmore
Alex is an experienced senior barrister in all areas of Family Law. He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1990. He practiced as a solicitor for approximately 17 years – 12 of these as a partner in a firm in Waitakere City. Alex became a Barrister in 2007 has been practicing in Central Auckland since that time.
Alex’s practice is focused on Family Law including Relationship Property, Family Protection matters and cases involving children.
Alex has a particular interest in cases involving the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. He is regularly appointed to act for the Central Authority.
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Alex also regularly acts in appeals from the Family Court - conducting his first appeal in the High Court over 20 years ago.
Alex’s tertiary qualifications include B.Com LLB obtained in 1988 and Masters with First Class Honours obtained in 2006. He has presented papers on various aspects of Family Law both in New Zealand and overseas.
Case History
Prakash v Gupta [2024] NZHC 684 (High Court) - Successfully defended an appeal in relation to relationship property including issues of valuation and contribution. Rossi v Rossi [2023] NZHC 3006 (High Court) - Successfully defended an appeal to the High Court on behalf of the Central Authority – return ordered. Robinson v Robinson [2020] NZHC 1765 (High Court) - Successfully resisting application for return of children pursuant to the Hague Convention. Simpson v Hamilton [2020] NZSC 42 (Supreme Court) - Successfully opposing the granting of leave to the Supreme Court. Simpson v Hamilton [2019] NZCA 579 (Court of Appeal) - Successfully opposing application for return of a child to Germany (third hearing) based upon child objection and 12 months and settled defence. G v R [2018] NZHC 2587 (High Court) - Successfully opposed application for habeas corpus as a method for return of child overseas. H v R [2017] NZHC 2617 (High Court) - Appointed by High Court to present opposing argument with the parties self-represented – arguments accepted. Thorpe v Barrett [2015] NZHC 3344 (High Court) - Successful appeal of decision declining relocation – relocation permitted. LH V FD [2010] NZFLR 926 (High Court) - Appearing as lawyer for child. Leading case on the correct test for admonishment and in particular the need to include a moral culpability component. A v K [2009] NZCA 190 (Court of Appeal) - Successful appeal against granting of writ of habeas corpus in a child custody context. Coates v Bowden (2006) 26 FRNZ 210 (High Court) - Appearing as lawyer for child arguing the defence of grave risk. Grave risk defence accepted. Sloan v Treadaway [1999] NZFLR 666 (High Court) - Successful defence of an appeal regarding provision of spousal maintenance.