About Ben
Ben Hamlin, Barrister
Ben Hamlin is an experienced litigator with a reputation for clear communication and practical, high quality, advice and advocacy. He has a passion for competition, consumer, and regulatory matters, and is one of New Zealand’s leading lawyers in these fields.
Ben is experienced in both civil and criminal matters, has appeared as counsel in all levels of the New Zealand Courts, including appeals to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Expertise
Ben is regarded as one of the leading New Zealand lawyers in competition, consumer and regulatory matters. Ben has appeared in a range of important cases in these fields (click here for more detail). He is also experienced in dealing with quasi-judicial and administrative proceedings and inquiries.
Ben has practised in both regulatory agencies and private practice for nearly 20 years. Prior to joining the bar in 2022, he was Chief Legal Counsel – Competition at the New Zealand Commerce Commission and Principal Counsel – Consumer and Credit. He has previously worked in the office of the Crown Solicitor at Auckland and a major commercial law firm.
Ben is experienced in dealing with and advising public sector agencies, particularly those with an investigative or prosecutorial function. He served on the Public Prosecutions Advisory Board from 2018 to 2020. He has worked at the Financial Markets Authority and Ministry of Economic Development (now the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment). His clients have included the Department of Internal Affairs and NZ Transport Agency.
Ben regularly speaks and writes on competition, consumer and regulatory issues, including for the NZ Law Society, Auckland District Law Society and International Competition Network. He is currently a member of the board of the Competition Law and Policy Institute of New Zealand.
Ben holds bachelor degrees in law and science (Biochemistry) from Otago University.