James Rapley KC

James Rapley KC practices from Bridgeside Chambers in Christchurch, New Zealand, having been called to the bar in 2004 after nearly ten years as a senior prosecutor for the Serious Fraud Office and Crown Solicitor’s Office. He was appointed a King’s Counsel in 2018, and specialises in criminal defence litigation, across serious fraud, drug, murder, sexual crimes and other crimes of violence, together with regulatory prosecution work.

Among many high profile cases, James was counsel in the Royal Commission hearings in 2011 on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy and the Canterbury Earthquakes. He has also been appointed by the District and High Courts as amicus curiae, most recently in R v Tully, an infamous double murder case in New Zealand.

Together with Judge Tony Willy, James co-authored a central text in New Zealand’s legal literature entitled ‘Advocacy’, and teaches trial advocacy at several key universities in the region. Further to this, he provides strategic advice to the Secretary for Justice regarding provision of legal aid and community legal services, and has established a mentoring committee to assist young practitioners in Christchurch.