Practice Areas

Insurance
Property & construction
Insolvency
Commercial regulatory prosecution
Alternative dispute resolution

I have appeared as counsel on behalf of commercial entities and the Crown in judge-alone hearings and jury trials. My approach is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your claim and apply the most economic strategy to achieve your goals, whether that involves taking a matter to trial or negotiating a favorable outcome for you.

I have strong networks and relationships with experts from various disciplines to support me in this, including loss adjusters, fraud investigators, materials and fire origin and cause experts, forensic accountants and building and quantity surveying experts.

Insurance
I have acted for insurers and those who are insured in recovery and defence claims. I have advised on policy coverage disputes (is a claim covered?), business interruption and material damage claim disputes. I have defended statutory liability prosecutions, professional negligence and general liability claims. I have also acted for and appeared on behalf of insurers in complex fire and fraud investigations in High Court proceedings.

Property & construction
High Court commercial lease dispute
I acted for a tenant in a Property Law Act proceeding where the landlord entered the property for breaches of lease covenants. The tenant had a set off and claimed the landlord’s notice of intention to cancel the lease was invalid. The claim was settled on the eve of trial.

High Court leaky building litigation
I acted for plaintiffs who purchased a leaky home. This was a High Court multi-party proceeding involving a Council, designer, engineer, private certifiers and pre purchase inspectors. We obtained a judgment against the building certifier at a formal proof hearing. I also successfully negotiated settlement against a pre-purchase inspector at a judicial settlement conference.

Insolvency and debt recovery
I have acted for commercial clients in bankruptcy and liquidation proceedings as well as debtors facing liquidation. I have advised clients on liquidator appointments and acted for liquidators.

Commercial regulatory prosecution
I have acted for a wide range of entities and persons charged with offences involving the Resource Management Act, including dairy effluent discharges and alleged breaches of Resource Consents.

I have acted for entities and persons charged with breaches of the Electricity and Plumbing Acts, including where disciplinary proceedings have been instigated by the Boards charged with regulating those industries. I have also acted for entities and persons charged with breaches of Health and Safety legislation as well as advising on responding to workplace accident investigations.

Alternative dispute resolution
I am highly experienced at ADR. Having attended dozens of judicial settlement conferences and mediations both as an advocate and as a client (as in-house counsel), I am an adept outcome-focussed negotiator. My approach to ADR is listening to the parties, understanding their goals and finding a resolution they can both live with.