Service

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Dealing with disputes can be a stressful and costly process. Our Dispute Resolution & Litigation Team has significant experience and ability advising on commercial and private disputes and can guide you through the process. 

We are committed to finding you the best strategy for your individual needs. Our team has appeared in various courts and specialist tribunals in relation to a wide range of legal disputes. We are also skilled in alternative methods of dispute resolution, including arbitration, adjudication and mediation; which can be effective ways to resolve some disputes.

Our team are able to assist with a variety of matters, including:

  • Debt recovery.

  • Contractual disputes.

  • Professional negligence.

  • Insurance disputes.

  • Judicial review applications.

  • Commercial property disputes, including caveat removal, leases and rent review disputes.

  • Building and construction disputes, including adjudications under the Construction Contracts Act 2002.

  • Insolvency issues (personal and corporate).

  • Disputes under the Companies Act 1993, including shareholder disputes.

  • Body corporate disputes (Unit Titles Act 2010).

  • Trusts and fiduciary issues, including charitable trusts and trust disputes.

  • Estate disputes, including claims under the Family Protection Act 1955 and the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act 1949.

  • Interim remedies and injunctions.

  • Negotiating the resolution of disputes.

  • Attending court, arbitrations and mediations.

Notable experience:

  • Successfully representing the insureds in New Zealand’s leading case on the obligations of insurers when providing services relating to the earthquake repair process (Sleight v Beckia Holdings Ltd [2020] NZHC 2851; [2022] NZCA 208).

  • Representing the beneficiaries of a family trust in a multi-million dollar High Court claim against the trustees for negligence and breach of fiduciary duties.

  • Acting in judicial review proceedings in relation to decisions made under the Resource Management Act 1991, and successfully resisting an application for an interim injunction (Thompson v Invercargill City Council [2020] NZHC 21 & [2020] NZHC 174).

  • Representing numerous policyholders on insurance claims arising out of the Canterbury earthquakes, including associated defective workmanship claims for failed repairs.

  • Acting for and advising owners, builders and other contractors in construction disputes.

  • Advising clients in claims and complaints against real estate agents and other professionals.

  • Successfully representing a group of investors in a failed finance company opposing a High Court application by the liquidators (Graham v Arena Capital Ltd (in liq) [2016] NZHC 194).