Getting hit with a drink-driving charge is stressful. It can be tough to navigate the courts alone, especially if you’re also dealing with other life matters like organising immigration lawyers or sorting out assets with trust lawyers. 

Finding the best DUI lawyer in Christchurch can make a massive difference to how things turn out. So we’ve taken the guesswork out of the process by rounding up the top legal advocates in the city who specialise in traffic offences and licence restoration. 

Let’s take a closer look at the options and find someone who can help you protect your future and keep things moving forward.

Service / Fee Structure	Estimated Cost
Standard First-Offence Guilty Plea	$1,500 – $5,000
Complex Cases, Repeat Offences, or Trials	$5,000 – $15,000
Hourly Rates	$150 – $400 per hour (plus disbursements)
Upfront Retainer	$1,500 – $3,000
Initial Consultation	Free 15-minute assessment to $230
Limited License Application (Lawyer Fees)	$1,000 – $1,500
Court Filing Fees	Approximately $269
Specialist Medical or Psychological Reports	$1,500 – $4,000

1. Saunders & Co Lawyers

Website: https://www.saunders.co.nz/lawyers-christchurch/

Address: 131 Victoria St

Contact: 337 976 90

Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Serious driving charges often require specialised help to navigate the courts. Saunders & Co Lawyers operates as a full-service law firm with a dedicated criminal litigation team, meaning you get access to highly experienced specialists for your traffic offence. 

They do an excellent job combining the experience of senior lawyers with the fresh perspective of junior staff to deliver practical, real-world advice. 

And because they cover so many legal areas, you can also manage overlapping property or employment issues under the same roof.

Just keep in mind that working with a large firm can sometimes mean things take a little longer to filter through. Some clients have even mentioned waiting for return calls or experiencing delays in post-consultation follow-ups. 

Professional, helpful, and easy to deal with

From day one, he was straight to the point and explained everything in a way that actually made sense, which took a lot of stress off the process. Communication was clear and consistent, and his team, Chloe and Rachel, were both amazing — professional, helpful, and easy to deal with. When it came time for trial, he absolutely nailed it. I couldn’t have asked for better representation and would highly recommend him and his team to anyone needing a lawyer who truly knows what they’re doing. 

• Manz Ōtautahi | Google Review  

Got a fantastic result!

I highly recommend Ethan, Chloe and Rachel to anyone. I felt heard and was thoroughly informed every step of the way. I especially recommend Ethan and his team to women charged with criminal offences. They listen and make you feel very comfortable. I felt able to speak openly to them without being judged. Got a fantastic result!

• Racheal Joelle | Google Review 

2. Matt Smit Barrister

Website: https://msmit.co.nz/

Address: Riverlands Chambers, Level 1, 40 Walker St

Contact: 272 993 561

Hours: Available 24/7

When you’re staring down a drink-driving charge, working with someone highly focused on traffic law can really help settle your mind. 

Matt Smit Barrister specialises entirely in criminal and driving offences, offering everything from end-to-end District Court representation to more complex limited licence applications. 

When my friend needed urgent help navigating a disqualification risk, Matt stepped in to clearly explain the legal options and guide them step-by-step through the court process. 

On top of that, he also works as a Youth Advocate, where he brings a restorative justice approach to supporting younger drivers through the system.

However, his strictly criminal focus means he can’t help with other legal issues that may come up alongside your case. 

If your situation involves employment consequences or a civil claim for property damage, you’d need to engage a separate lawyer for those matters.

Successfully assisted me in obtaining a desired outcome

I recently had the pleasure of working with Matt on a challenging legal matter, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the outcome. He successfully assisted me in obtaining a desired outcome.

Matt demonstrated exceptional legal expertise, a deep understanding of the law, and a genuine commitment to my case.

I am incredibly grateful for his dedicated service and highly recommend Matt to anyone seeking legal assistance, particularly in matters where attention to detail and a proactive approach are key to achieving a favourable result.

• Shane | Google Review 

Outstanding throughout the process

I had the pleasure of working with Matt on a family driving offence issue and can confidently say Matt was outstanding throughout the process. I received a phone call within hours of my initial email enquiry and communication continued to be responsive and clear, often outside of normal business hours. Matt was honest and upfront about expectations and thorough throughout the process. I highly recommend Matt to anyone seeking legal representation.

• Steve McCarroll | Google Review  

3. Godfreys Law

Website: https://www.godfreyslaw.co.nz/

Address: 22 Moorhouse Ave, Level 3 

Contact: 336 674 69

Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

A strong legal team with deep local roots can bring real comfort when you’re a first-time offender feeling overwhelmed by the justice system. 

Godfreys Law has been serving Canterbury since 1870, bringing a huge amount of institutional knowledge alongside dedicated traffic law services. 

Aside from focusing on practical outcomes, they can help guide you through limited licence applications, especially when staying on the road for work is essential.

But while their long-standing community reputation is strong, communication can sometimes feel a bit frustrating. Some clients have found it hard to reach a specific lawyer directly.

Plus, brief communications are chargeable, which can add up faster than expected. 

Reliable, honest, and thoughtful legal advice

I had an outstanding experience with Godfreys Law. From start to finish, Sally and her team were incredibly supportive, professional, and compassionate. They guided me through every step with patience and clarity, ensuring I fully understood my options. Their attention to detail and genuine care made what could have been a stressful process feel much easier.

I’m truly grateful for their expertise and dedication — I would highly recommend Sally and the Godfreys Law team to anyone seeking reliable, honest, and thoughtful legal advice.

Maomao3322 | Google Review 

4. Michael Sandom Barrister

Website: https://www.michaelsandom.co.nz/areas-of-practice-1

Address: Oxford Chambers, 95 Oxford Terrace 

Contact: Contact form

Hours: By appointment only

Some traffic cases demand serious courtroom advocacy, especially if you’re trying to avoid a criminal record or reduce a disqualification period. 

That’s where Michael Sandom Barrister comes in, as a specialist criminal defence advocate with deep experience handling both jury and judge-alone trials.

I actually spoke with a colleague who used his services to secure a discharge without conviction, and they praised his strategic negotiation skills and focus on practical outcomes. 

He also has a rare dual expertise in family law, which can be especially useful if your charges overlap with sensitive parenting disputes.

On the downside, he works by appointment only, so you can’t simply walk in. He may also refer you elsewhere if his caseload is full or if your matter falls outside his scope, such as broader civil disputes.

5. Rupert Ward Barrister

Website: https://rwardbarrister.co.nz/criminal-law/

Areas Served: Christchurch

Contact: phone: 331 081 03 | 021 877 441

Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

For those looking to get back on the road after a driving disqualification, having a seasoned expert handle the paperwork can make a real difference. 

Rupert Ward Barrister brings over 30 years of legal experience, with a strong focus on traffic law and well-structured limited licence applications that are rarely opposed by police. 

Aside from being approved as a legal aid, he has dual jurisdiction capability in New Zealand and Australia, which can be especially useful if your situation involves cross-border immigration impacts.

Just take note that he runs a multi-disciplinary practice rather than a hyper-focused DUI-only firm. Because he also handles civil litigation and employment law, his attention is spread across multiple areas. 

Still, this wider scope can be helpful when issues overlap.