The 5 Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Christchurch to Have on Your Side
David Sims
| Last Updated: August 2025 You don’t expect to be thinking about lawyers while watching a Saturday rugby game until a hard tackle leaves you hobbling for weeks.
Suddenly, it’s not just about healing the injury. You’re left figuring out what you can claim, who’s the right person to call, and how to avoid signing anything that might hurt your case.
It’s overwhelming, especially when all you want is to get better.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of Christchurch’s best personal injury lawyers. People who can handle the tricky stuff so you can focus on your recovery.
How much do personal injury lawyers in Christchurch charge?
1. Lane Neave
Address: Level 5, 141 Cambridge Terrace
Phone: +64 3 379 3720
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Lane Neave’s 160 years of experience set them apart in personal injury law, where expertise and consistency can make all the difference. Founded in 1868, they’ve built a strong local reputation while maintaining a national presence.
A client we spoke to said their complicated insurance dispute felt far less overwhelming thanks to the Christchurch team. They explained things clearly, kept deadlines on track, and made sure nothing slipped through the cracks.
With around 155 staff and 25 partners across New Zealand, they have the scale to handle personal injury alongside related areas. They can help you with insurance, litigation, and even employment law if a case overlaps.
In fact, they’re recognised for award-winning insurance work, including complex Canterbury earthquake claims.
The best part is that many clients said the service still felt personal despite the firm’s large size.
The only downside? Their prestige and resources mean higher fees than smaller firms. For some, that premium is worth the reassurance, but it’s something to factor in when comparing options.
Clear, efficient, and supportive service
“Elizabeth Giles was amazing! She made sure that everything was clear and simple for us and always answered our questions efficiently. Thank you so much Elizabeth and Lane Neave for your assitance and not making this process too stressfull. Highly reccomend!”
– Unknown Unknown, Google Review
Highly professional
“I needed representation in a legal matter recently and I would like to thank the totally professional and wise Council of Lane Neave and in particular Elisabeth Giles.
Elisabeth was very well prepared, considered and Diligent. When it came time to act Elisabeth remained in total control of the proceedings with her calm and precise manner and her actions proved to be the catalyst that won us the case.
Thank you Elisabeth for your diligence, you have proved yourself to be a star in your field and a bright future in law awaits you.
In legal matters it is the representation that matters and Lane Neave have proved themselves to be of very wise council and indeed in the top tier of their field, so thank you to Lane Neave and Elisabeth Giles in particular for proving themselves to be of immense value when it came time prove their worth.
I highly recommend this company.”
– bill briefcase, Google Review
2. Malley & Co Lawyers
Address: Level 1, The Regent, 33 Cathedral Square
Phone: +64 3 379 0712
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Malley & Co has been part of Christchurch’s legal scene for well over a century. That kind of history feels especially useful in personal injury cases, where having lawyers who already know the terrain can make a difference.
When we spoke to one of their clients, he said the team took the time to really listen to his injury situation instead of rushing into solutions. A partner stayed involved from the start, and the advice felt genuinely tailored to him.
That level of attention seemed to ease a lot of the stress that comes with legal disputes.
Their litigation and disputes team handles a wide range of matters—ACC claims, negligence, insurance issues, and even estate-related disputes. That means they can cover different angles if a case overlaps areas.
In those situations, we’ve heard senior lawyers often step in directly, which can be reassuring during a difficult process.
The only drawback? They have a smaller team compared to national firms, which may mean fewer in-house resources or specialists than large, multi-office practices.
Knowledgeable, attentive staff
“Highly recommend. I have being utilizing their services for a number of years for a variety of issues.
The staff are amazing. They know their stuff, easy to contact and really listen to ensure target their service to each individual need.
Absolutely no hesitation to recommend.”
– Pam Wilson, Google Review
Professional legal service
“Very good firm very affordable prices very professional at what they do i recommend them for any legal matters you might have.”
– robert austin, Google Review
3. Saunders & Co Lawyers
Address: Level 4, 7 Winston Avenue, Papanui
Phone: (03) 359 6679
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Saunders & Co made it to our list because of their longstanding presence in Christchurch and their depth of experience handling personal injury cases within the local legal context.
They’ve been involved in a variety of injury claims, like workplace accidents to motor vehicle injuries, and complex insurance disputes. This experience helps them navigate the sometimes tricky overlap between ACC processes and insurance claims.
We spoke with one of their clients who said the team was professional and efficient throughout her injury claim. She appreciated how the lawyers kept communication clear and didn’t leave her guessing about what was happening next.
Saunders & Co take a straightforward, no-fuss approach that many clients find reassuring. They focus on keeping things moving and avoiding unnecessary complications.
With over 100 professionals spread across multiple Christchurch offices, the firm has the capacity to cover a broad range of services, including immigration and conveyancing.
That said, their size might mean fewer in-house specialists compared to larger national firms, which could be a consideration for more complex cases.
Professional, knowledgeable, and supportive legal team
“Outstanding Legal Service – Highly Recommended!
I had an excellent experience with Sanders & Co. Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. They provided clear guidance and ensured that every step was handled efficiently. I highly recommend Sanders & Co to anyone in need of reliable and expert legal services.”
– Julio Gavilanes Valle, Google Review
Caring, professional lawyer
“Charlotte Grimshaw is an amazing lawyer who is always very caring, compassionate and professional. She gets the job done efficiently and effectively all while making the process as easy as possible for her clients. I have used Charlotte for many years to assist in a variety of issues and would highly recommend her and Saunders & Co to anyone.”
– Libby McCleary, Google Review
4. Ashton Legal
Address: PO Box 31267
Phone: (+64) 03 595 0528
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Being new to the Christchurch personal injury scene, Ashton Legal offers a free consultation. This gives people a chance to explore their options without commitments.
Beyond that, we found Ashton Legal’s openness and flexibility to be really helpful in making clients feel more at ease.
One person we spoke to appreciated being able to communicate however he wanted—by video, phone, or email, which made the process less stressful.
When it comes to personal injury claims, Ashton Legal focuses on breaking down the legal process into clear, manageable steps. They handle interactions with ACC, insurance companies, and court procedures directly.
This approach helps clear up confusion and keeps things moving without overwhelming clients.
That said, being relatively new means they don’t have the long track record or extensive resources that bigger firms might offer. This could be a factor if your case is especially complex or drawn out.
Professional and reliable
“Rob runs a very professional service and always provides accurate and timely advice. His communication skills and availability were great. I would highly recommend his service and wouldn’t hesitate to use him again.”
– Shane Nicoll, Google Review
Helpful and effective legal assistance
“Rob provides excellent legal assistance and delivers results, he was extremely helpful through what was a stressful process. Highly recommend using his services.”
– Ross Martin, Google Review
5. Canterbury Legal
Address: Level 2, Canterbury Legal Building 205 Durham Street South
Phone: +64 3 377 0792
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Canterbury Legal stood out to us because plenty of clients recommend them for being approachable and really knowing their stuff.
Their personal injury team is led by Terena Te Whaiti. They have experience handling claims across different areas, which comes in handy when cases get tricky or involve a few different legal issues.
They stick with you through the whole process. From the first ACC claim right up to any court stuff if it comes to that.
We chatted with a client who said the team was friendly and kept things clear throughout his claim. He liked how quick the lawyers were to respond, which helped take some of the usual stress out of what can be a confusing process.
What makes them different is how they mix solid legal know-how with easy-to-understand communication. They make sure you’re not left scratching your head over legal jargon.
They do cover other areas too, like dispute tribunal work, but sometimes they get busy and cases can take a bit longer. So if you need things moving fast, that’s something to think about.
Clear, straightforward advice
“I had the pleasure of working with Canterbury Legal on multiple occasions. I can’t thank the team enough for their exceptionally clear, straightforward advice, it was exactly what I needed. The entire team was professional, approachable, and dedicated throughout the process. I couldn’t have asked for better representation. 10/10! Highly recommended! Thanks guys!”
– jesse baxter, Google Review
Friendly, knowledgeable team
“Great group of helpful friendly and knowledgeable people, thanks especially to Kate, Callum and also Grant who spend a good 20 minutes of his time for free with my initial enquiry answering all my questions. Highly recommended.”
– Shane Yarwood, Google Review
