Cecil Hanafin

Cecil is a commercial litigator with particular experience in trust and estate litigation, company and corporate disputes, and relationship property matters.

Admitted in 2006, she has practised at leading New Zealand firms and at the independent bar. Her experience includes shareholder and governance disputes, insolvency-related claims, secured-lending and priority disputes, and disputes concerning asset ownership, control and entitlement.

Cecil is well recognised for her work in trust and estate litigation and contentious relationship property matters. She acts in complex disputes involving substantial asset pools, trusts, companies, farming structures and intergenerational wealth arrangements. She also advises boards, directors and business owners on governance and competing stakeholder interests, and conducts independent investigations into sensitive organisational issues, including allegations of misconduct and protected disclosures.

Cecil has appeared in the Court of Appeal and regularly represents clients in the High Court and Family Court, acting for individuals, companies, creditors, beneficiaries, directors and business owners. She regularly works with barristers, including King’s Counsel.

Clients value Cecil’s practical and strategic approach, sound judgement and collaborative working style. She distils complex legal and financial issues into clear, proportionate and commercially grounded advice, and works closely with decision-makers to resolve matters efficiently, whether through negotiation, mediation or, where necessary, at trial.

Cecil was recommended in Doyles' Leading Trusts & Estates Litigation Barristers list for New Zealand in 2026.