One by one, Anne Stevens lists the names of seven clients.

What these men have in common is that they have all been cleared of rape at trials, where they were represented by the Dunedin-based barrister.

Stevens scotches any talk that the seemingly remarkable sequence of acquittals, the most recent coming in the last few weeks, amounts to her "winning".

SUPPLIED Dunedin's law courts building, which Stevens campaigned to protect.

"It's the evidence being presented in such a way that the jury cannot find it proved beyond reasonable doubt," she said. "I just hold that so dear to my heart."

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But she does concede that over the course of her 31-year career the string of verdicts was "remarkable".

"It does make me very nervous."

That's because it raises the expectation of new clients, and the pressure to ensure you "keep bringing people back to earth".

That includes focusing on the evidence, foreseeing any potential problems and advising her client that she can't predict the outcome.

Those clients often ask her if she believes them, to which she replies: "My belief is absolutely irrelevant, and I do not know if you will be acquitted."

Stevens said she applies the "taxi cab rule", representing the next person in line, saying: "I can't pick the good-looking ones."

None of the seven rape trials were the same, she said.

But each of those men accused was extremely stressed prior to the verdict, while some waited up to three years to have their case heard.

"If you think about that weight hanging over you, because we know that a conviction for anyone of these is a minimum of eight years in prison."

For those found guilty, their life – and that of their families – is never the same again, she said.

Stevens said even those acquitted were told "some clever-dick lawyer got you off".

"And I'm no clever-dick. It [is] simply the evidence and how it is presented."

Len Andersen, the Dunedin-based president of the Criminal Bar Association, told Stuff that it is "very hard" to get acquittals in any trial, acknowledging the skill of Crown counsel in the city.

"I am sure that most, if not all of those defendants, would have been convicted if they had not had the benefit of a skilled defence counsel."

Anderson also questioned whether there is sufficient readiness on the part of the police to consider if complainants in sexual cases may not be telling the truth.

"This is because there is a great deal of sensitivity around accepting complaints in sexual cases. My feeling is that the police are reluctant to challenge complainants' accounts because of the risk of re-traumatising victims.

"As many of these cases are one person's word against another and the standard of proof is very high, it is difficult to see how a jury can properly convict ... with no external evidence that supports the complaint."

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said data on sequential trial wins was not collated.

Rape Crisis spokeswoman Andrea Black said only a small percentage of survivors who report to the various agencies endup going to police.

An even smaller number have their cases investigated, with few reaching court.

Black has been in courtrooms where adult and children victims hear a not-guilty verdict, and described it as "it is absolutely devastating".

"It is hugely re-victimising," she said, and also puts off other people from going through the court process.

Stevens said she was aware that some people found the work of defence lawyers difficult to accept, but argued that everybody is entitled to a defence.

"It is absolutely critical to a fair and open society.

"It does concern me that the New Zealand public don't understand the presumption of innocence. They generally assume that once someone is charged they are guilty, and they have to disprove their guilt. That is not a good scenario."

Many of her clients had to wait several years before their case was heard, she said.

"Some people will still think, 'you were charged, you got off'.

"Well, they didn't get off, the evidence did not reach the standard that we require. They didn't get off, they were acquitted."

Stevens said there was no formula for success, but the cross-examination of witnesses was extremely important.

"There is so much at stake and to me it doesn't make any difference whether a witness is a man or a woman ... it is finding a link with each person."

Trials can also take their toll on lawyers become deeply involved in cases.

"We may look like we are sailing on top of the water when we are doing the job, but I can tell you it sure knocks me back.

"But that is not because I am a woman, it is because it is such a full-on job."

Stevens, who campaigned to save the city's historic courthouse, had specialised in criminal law since 1998, particularly sexual violation cases.

During trials, Stevens suggested jurors can develop widely differing of views of what has happened, including the issue of whether consent was given.

"Only by bringing out all the facts or evidence can that be decided."

Low rates of successful appeals following convictions mean clients "only really have one shot" for their story to be heard, she said.

"It has to be done robustly and fearlessly, otherwise they are going to languish in jail and their lives are over."

WHERE TO GET HELP

Rape Crisis - 0800 88 33 00 (24hr service), click link for information on local helplines

Victim Support - 0800 842 846 (24hr service)

The Harbour - online support and information for people affected by sexual abuse

Women's Refuge (Females only) - crisis line available on 0800 733 843

Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust (Males only) - Helplines across NZ, click to find out more

Wellington HELP (all genders) - 04 801 6655 - 0 for the 24/7 crisis line

Auckland HELP (all genders) - 09 623 1700 for the 24/7 support line

If you are in danger or are being subjected to sexual violence, call 111.