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Background
Sheila began her career as a solicitor in a national law firm where she was quickly promoted to partner. Thereafter she was the senior litigation partner in a boutique firm before fulfilling a long-held ambition to join the independent bar in 2001. Sheila has practised as a barrister sole since that time.
Sheila is a very experienced litigator and has been practising law in Auckland for over 30 years. She has a hard earned reputation for being a tenacious advocate, and is the true champion of her clients’ causes. Sheila is meticulous in her approach to her files and her attention to detail is second to none.
Sheila has a wealth of litigation experience, having appeared in Court regularly throughout her career.
Sheila brings a practical approach to legal and business issues and provides sound legal and tactical advice. She is efficient and driven. She provides pragmatic advice, consistently achieves excellent results for her clients and is conscious of the need to do so in a cost effective way.
Areas of practice
Currently most of Sheila’s practice involves commercial litigation and relationship property/trust matter.s
In these areas of law recent instructions have included resolving disputes between shareholders, a dispute in relation to the interpretation of a warranty in an agreement for sale and purchase, a dispute as to the ownership of a substantial life insurance policy, the defence of directors of a company who were accused of breaching their duties as directors, a very acrimonious dispute between some clients and their Bank and an equally acrimonious dispute between the trustees and the beneficiaries of a substantial trust. She has also been involved in numerous substantial relationship property and trust matters – resolving relationship property and trust matters following separation, giving advice about asset protection and advising in relation to contracting out agreements. Sheila also accepts instructions regularly in Family Protection Act claims, in disputes about Wills and Estates, in employment matters, in all aspects of family law and in criminal matters.
Sheila’s experience in the courtroom makes her an asset in any dispute. She is a formidable advocate who is able to think quickly on her feet. She is known for her ability to develop creative solutions to complex problems. However, Sheila also appreciates that not all disputes need to end up in Court. She has considerable experience in alternative dispute resolution (including mediation) and is skilled at negotiating settlements when appropriate. She is focussed on assisting her clients to achieve the best results possible.
The team
Sheila is supported by Leanne Adams, her executive assistant and chambers manager and by Oliver Reeves, currently a law clerk but soon to be admitted to the Bar, at which point he will be a junior barrister. Sheila and her team practise from delightful chambers in Jervois Road in Ponsonby where problems are solved and advice is given clearly and succinctly. Sometimes Sheila’s large dogs are present to provide additional guidance.
More about Sheila
Sheila is originally from Northern Ireland. She studied law at Aberdeen University in Scotland before travelling to New Zealand to complete her Master’s degree. She did so having won a Rotary Foundation Post Graduate Scholarship pursuant to which she could have studied anywhere in the world. She chose Auckland University. Following her graduation Sheila spent about a year back in Northern Ireland and then emigrated to New Zealand where she has lived and practised law ever since. In her personal life Sheila loves to cook and has a massive collection of cookery books, about 24 metres of books at last count! She has read them all! She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking her two giant dogs, travelling and enjoying beautiful New Zealand scenery by completing scenic tramps. Sheila is the Chairperson of WISCA - the Waiheke Island Society for the Care of Animals (formerly the Waiheke branch of the SPCA) and a trustee of the St Patrick’s Festival Trust.
Sheila was formerly a trustee of Ronald McDonald House, Auckland, a role she held from 2001 until 2016. She is an active member of Rotary International and was the first woman President of the vibrant Downtown Auckland Rotary Club.
Sheila has been contacted for comment about various Family Court matters by investigative journalists such as Jane Phare (New Zealand Herald) and has been interviewed more than once by Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB.
Memberships:
- New Zealand Bar Association
- The Law Association
- New Zealand Law Society
- Family Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society
Contact:
35a Jervois Road, PONSONBY Auckland 1011
PO BOX 105 254, Auckland 1143
Hours of Operation: Mon - Fri : 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m
sheila@sheilamccabe.co.nz
☎ PHONE: +64 9 378 7002
☎ MOBILE: 021 883 714
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