Welcome
Welcome to Nicola Hoobin Legal
Providing genuine advice & tailored legal solutions: in New Zealand, Australia and internationally.
About Nicola Hoobin Legal
Our Work
We are a boutique New Zealand and Australian based international law firm providing Special Counsel legal advice and representation in our core areas of business, which are: international law, family, estate and inheritance laws, human rights and personal protection law and in contract drafting, negotiation and litigation.
We additionally represent clients in wider arts law matters, including in film, visual art, artistic performance, fashion and literary works.
We offer a core range of legal services on a personalised basis to our clients, utilising our senior legal experience while adhering to the highest professional and ethical standards.
We enjoy working with our clients and providing them with prompt and practical advice and representation.
Our clients operate locally, throughout New Zealand and Australia, often internationally in one or more legal jurisdictions.
Experience You Can Trust
Possessing a Bachelor of Laws degree, a Master of International Law degree, with postgraduate studies in the Laws of the European Union and in Film and Television Law, Principal Lawyer Nicola Hoobin offers practical and highly-developed legal experience gained through 30 years of legal practice, including as a Barrister with the Victorian Bar in Melbourne, a senior government lawyer with the Commonwealth of Australia, a Special Counsel in Melbourne 's CBD, a successful film producer for the New Zealand Film Commission and now Principal Lawyer of
Nicola Hoobin Legal operating in both Australia and New Zealand/ Aotearoa.
Nicola has continued to appear in courts across Australia, and internationally as well as instructing key barristers, including King's Counsel, experts in their field.
Our business is based on new and ongoing work for longer term clients and their families,
word of mouth referrals and recommendations.
In addition to Australia, Nicola is qualified and now practises in New Zealand/ Aotearoa.
Working remotely in Italy
at page 48 of the Victorian Bar News https://issuu.com/victorianbar/docs/vbn170_print-trimmed
About Nicola Hoobin Legal
Our Expertise
We have the knowledge and skills to help businesses of all sizes navigate complex legal issues and achieve their goals.
In 2026, our focus continues in our core areas of practice, above, additionally providing innovative international legal advice to our clients in international art provenance, in performance and fashion representation, sale & purchase contracts, authenticity, art, cultural heritage and protection laws and in international wine law including in the Laws of the European Union.
Laws of the European Union
Principal Lawyer, Nicola Hoobin's most recent post graduate studies in the Laws of the European Union tie in well to our European Union business clients' work arising out of New Zealand and the European Union signing a free trade agreement in 2024.
International Wine Law
In October 2025, as a new member of the Internationale des Juristes du Droit de la Vigne et du Vin, the International Wine Law Association (AIDV), Nicola attended the 40th anniversary of the AIDV in Verona, Itay.
Being a member of an international specialist organisation that promotes study and expertise in the international laws governing the wine and vine industry supports our emerging work in this area.
About Nicola Hoobin Legal
Our Boutique & Emerging International Art in Estate & Inheritance legal practice
In June 2025, Nicola was invited to participate in her alumni, European University Institute’s conference Botticelli v Warhol: Comparative Perspectives on Cultural Heritage in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. This multidisciplinary conference brought together experts in intellectual property law, cultural heritage protection, art history and media to examine the evolving legal landscape governing cultural icons and heritage images. As these works are reproduced, transformed and reimagined across borders and media, critical questions emerge around ownership, rights, and the cultural stewardship of images that transcend time and place.
On completing her role as Senior Legal Counsel with the National Gallery of Australia in 2024, Nicola went on to further studies abroad. After being accepted to ARCA (Association for Research into Crimes Against Art) advanced post graduate study, she attended the conference held in Amelia, Umbria, Italy In June 2024. Topics included: Art & War, Art & Protest, Looted Art, Forgeries, Repatriation & Rematriation of stolen indigenous works, with developing trends amongst national galleries supporting returns, establishing new relationships of support and artistic development.
In April 2024, Nicola attended the collaborative conference of the three institutions: CREATe (the Centre for the Regulation of the Creative Economy, part of the University of Glasgow's leading School of Law), The Hunterian (also part of the University of Glasgow and the largest university museum in Scotland), and the Institute of Art and Law (a UK-based independent organisation, well-known to all in the museum and gallery sector for its teaching, research and publishing on all matters concerning the art world with a legal element), on repatriation, museums, and donor restrictions.
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She brings this state-of-the-art knowledge and experience to the work that we do.
Why Choose Us
Personalised Approach
We are committed to timely communication and prioritise understanding each of our clients's unique needs and objectives, providing personalised, practical legal advice, strategic guidance, and support.
Proven Track Record
Our firm has a successful track record of representing corporates and individuals across a wide range of legal matters both within Australia, New Zealand and internationally since its establishment in October 2013. With three decades of senior legal experience, we provide excellence in each area of our practice.
Best possible client experience for your peace of mind
From the outset and throughout your instructions, we want our clients to have a clear understanding of their legal position and of the process required to achieve resolution.
Local and International Legal Knowledge and Networks
Local operations
We operate locally while thinking globally.
With our annual continuing professional development in the Northern Hemisphere, we bring this knowledge back to Australia to inform, develop, and to utilise in our Southern Hemisphere practice.
International Networks
Leveraging our extensive network of legal and arts industry professionals, we ensure high-level coordination and excellence in support for clients, whether operating locally or internationally.
Dual and multi-jurisdictional knowledge
With senior legal experience we offer valuable insights and tailored solutions to clients navigating complex regional, binational and international matters.
Trust and integrity
We have become trusted and ongoing advisers to our individual, family, and corporate clients, whether they find themselves at home or abroad, whether they are grandparents, parents, or young adults living in our often fast-paced, complex, and ever-changing 21st century world.