Stewart Dalley
Stewart Dalley is a barrister and solicitor specialising in immigration, refugee law, and family formation, with a particular focus on complex and sensitive cases. He is the former Chair of the Auckland District Law Society’s Immigration and Refugee Law Committee, and has represented clients at every level – the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, Family Court, District Court and High Court. He has a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Auckland.
In family formation, Stewart is one of New Zealand’s most experienced practitioners in surrogacy, assisted reproductive technology, and adoption. He advises individuals, couples, and fertility clinics on embryo, egg and sperm donation, surrogacy (both domestic and international), and adoption. He was appointed by the Law Commission as an Expert Legal Advisor on its review of New Zealand surrogacy law.
Stewart and his partner are parents to three children through surrogacy, and this unique combination of lived and professional experience is what sets him apart.
A long-standing advocate for the rainbow community, Stewart and his partner were the first same-sex de facto couple in New Zealand granted joint adoption orders. He also acted as counsel in a landmark decision establishing that two women can both be named as mothers on a child’s birth certificate. He regularly advises Rainbow Youth and Rainbow Path, and welcomes enquiries from clients facing complex or sensitive matters.
His immigration practice covers complex visa applications, deportations, humanitarian appeals and refugee claims. Drawing on his earlier experience with trade unions in the United Kingdom, he was appointed by the Government to the Migrant Worker Exploitation Consultation Group, whose recommendations contributed to the reforms now protecting migrant workers in New Zealand.
