A partner at a major Wellington law firm received a diversion, after pushing and kicking his wife.

A high-flying Wellington lawyer has received a rare diversion after assaulting and kicking his wife, a decision slammed by Women's Refuge for sending "the wrong message".

The lawyer, who is a partner at a major Wellington law firm, was charged with male assaults female in the Wellington District Court, an offence punishable by up to two years in prison.

The police summary of facts states the lawyer pushed his wife twice during an argument and then kicked her four times in the buttocks.

Police policy is usually to automatically oppose granting diversion in family violence cases, as it is considered too serious an offence.

However, despite the policy, an exception was made for this lawyer.

Instead, he was asked to do counselling and, on Friday, the court said his diversion was complete and his charge was dismissed.

After Fairfax Media made inquiries about the case, the man's lawyer also successfully applied for name suppression, claiming the case had no "public interest".

Wellington Women's Refuge manager Philippa McAtee said the diversion was sending the wrong message.

"I don't think it's appropriate for domestic violence. I don't think it sends a clear message that domestic violence is not acceptable in our society," she said.

The fact that the perpetrator was a high-flying professional should not mean he got a free ride, she said.

"Judges should not treat professionals any differently than someone who was unemployed or was of any other background or ethnicity."

The decision to deal with the offence by diversion was supported by the police family violence team, with the approval of his wife.

The man and his victim were understood to still be living together.

McAtee said, although approval was given by the wife, it can be hard for victims to say no to diversion.

"I think they would feel possibly worried about repercussions if they didn't [give approval] and under a lot of emotional pressure when they are then told it could lead to [their partner] losing their job if they didn't get their diversion."

On Friday, Law Society spokesman Geoff Adlam said while he could not comment on the particular case, domestic violence was a "serious crime".

Lawyers were expected to maintain a "very high" standard of conduct, and failure to do so could land them in front of a standards committee, and, at worst, struck off.

Lawyers had previously been disciplined for less but he was not aware of any being disciplined after family violence charges.

Police would not comment on the particular case but Wellington City Police area commander inspector Chris Bensemann confirmed diversion was only granted in "rare" domestic violence cases.

Both the police officer in charge and the victim had to agree it was appropriate.

"Police must be assured that a conviction would negatively impact on progress the offender has made to stop the abuse," he said.

Wellington District Court judge Craig Thompson suppressed the man's name on Friday to allow police to get the views of the victim.

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