Member Profile

I practise as a barrister, arbitrator, and mediator. I was admitted to the New Zealand Bar in 1984 and spent the first six years of my legal career doing non-contentious commercial and company work. During that period, which spanned the 1987 crash, I was involved in a series of instructions that propelled me into litigation work. I became committed to achieving effective dispute resolution through negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation. I then gathered considerable experience in claims involving contract, fraud, fair trading, and tort law; company, director and shareholder disputes; insolvency restructuring, building and construction disputes; professional negligence; insurance; intellectual property; judicial review; relationship and matrimonial property; estates and trusts, tax administration, and trade practices. I also become primary legal advisor for selected clients. To those clients I am a trusted advisor and manages the appointment of other specialist lawyers for particular transactions and assignments

My practise is based in central Auckland, New Zealand but is in no way tied to that location. There, it has modern multi-office premises near other businesses and the courts. The facilities include a boardroom suitable for hearings and mediations which is capable of seating 12 and equipped with a short throw projector, fibre broadband, and other capabilities. The degree of involvement of my instructing solicitors depends upon their expertise, experience and desire to be involved in the necessary work. I typically work with a secretary and junior barrister located within my chambers. I am also able to recommend suitable local firms where that is required. My practice makes extensive use of online legal databases. I am analytical, proficient at mathematics, and have excellent skills in financial analysis, including damages and compensation calculation. I am also highly experienced in the setting up and use of Microsoft SharePoint as a tool for the analysis of large quantities of documents and information in cases. This builds on an interest in computer science that started as an undergraduate. I have many connections with outside experts who can assist with the resolution of disputes.

My litigation and dispute resolution experience spans many different industries. Examples are aviation, property development, various professions, investment banking, forestry, electricity, shipping, construction, and trusteeships.

I have not been licensed to practise law in any jurisdiction other than New Zealand. I have however been involved in arbitrations and mediations in different Pacific Rim countries.

What drove me into litigation was the desire to improve the experience of commercial and private clients in that tense atmosphere. I have committed my practice to clarity and the communication of understandable and useable information enabling clients to make better decisions in the litigation process. I wish to add colour and life to my practice by accepting appointments as arbitrator and mediator outside of New Zealand.

I do not disclose details of my clients. They range from individuals, some of whom I have assisted on a pro bono basis, to large multi-national corporations.

As mentioned earlier, I was admitted to the New Zealand bar in 1984. After a short clerkship at a firm specialising in property work, I moved to a junior position under a recognised non-contentious commercial “star”. After two years I moved to a further non-contentious commercial position at New Zealand’s largest firm where I was involved in all aspects of major commercial transactions including mergers, takeovers and acquisitions, banking including currency and interest rate swaps, and financial instrument issues. After experiencing litigation work in that role, I moved into a litigation position with a prominent firm and became a partner and management board member. Before striking out on my own I became a Fellow of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand. I then began practise as a barrister. I received, and continue to receive, instructions from a wide range of sources, largely because of my analytical skills and wide experience.

Bachelor of Laws (1984) Master of Commercial Law (First Class Honours) (1994) (University of Auckland) Fellow (Arbitration) of Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand LEADR Mediation Training

I have written published material on company law and separately on arbitration. However, none of this is recent as I found it onerous and a distraction from my professional practice and personal commitments.

I have done a lot of work on a pro bono basis all, with one exception, for individuals where there were access to justice issues arising from disability or poverty. The one exception was early involvement and advice to recreational fishers concerning the setting of fishing quota for a commonly fished species. While I still take on pro bono work, I am careful not to do so to the detriment of existing clients and my work capacity.

Outside of law I enjoy a wide range of activities. I have adult children from a former marriage. I continue to want to spend more time learning an instrument and enjoying music. I love animals and recently had to say goodbye to my pedigree miniature schnauzer who had attained the grand age of 17. I am a former competitive swimmer and find myself most relaxed when I am swimming laps, body surfing, or snorkelling. I also walk and attend a gym for fitness. I enjoy cooking and socialising with friends and family.