Dispute Resolution: The Bar

Shortland Chambers is widely identified by interviewees as "a first-class set of barristers." Commentators have also praised the chambers for its impressive client service, with one observing: "I find the set to be very professional and welcoming. Whenever I visited the chambers I was always greeted in a very timely and pleasant manner and all the interactions I had with the various members went very well." Alison Van Wyk is the chambers manager and first point of contact.

Adam Ross KC brings three decades of litigation experience to an extremely varied civil and commercial practice which incorporates a strong regulatory component.

Alan Galbraith KC is a veteran barrister of over 40 years' standing and experience across the broadest range of civil and commercial issues, with noted strengths in the competition, financial services and insurance spaces.

Stephen Hunter KC continues to attract high praise for his management of a broad corporate and commercial caseload within which high-stakes business disputes and financial services-related matters feature particularly prominently. "He has a tremendous ability to see the wider commercial implications of a dispute and focus on what really matters."

Bob Hollyman KC focuses closely, within the context of a company and commercial practice, on contractual, insolvency and tort-related issues, being particularly noted for his expertise in the law of misrepresentation and breach of contract. "He is very good at communicating his proposed strategy, seeking feedback on it and being agile in adjusting the agreed strategy if the evidence so requires."

Bruce Gray KC operates across a broad range of civil and public law issues, attracting particularly high praise for his work on insurance, media law and tort-related mandates. He is further noted for his highly accomplished advocacy and reassuring manner with clients.

Jenny Cooper KC is a versatile commercial litigator with particularly strong suits where competition, insolvency and regulatory issues are concerned and an increasingly noted capability in the public interest litigation sphere. "Jenny is good on her feet and is a clear communicator."

Matthew Harris is an experienced litigator with particular expertise in the construction and insurance fields and in handling class actions and professional liability issues. "Matthew is commercially astute and client-focused."

Simon Ladd is an expert in commercial and regulatory litigation. He is regularly instructed on insurance, tort and construction disputes and has provided counsel in various regulatory investigations.

Andrew Barker KC centres his practice on commercial litigation, often representing clients in contract and tort as well as shareholder disputes. He also contributes to the profession from an academic standpoint, regularly hosting national seminars and presentations. "He gets the job done with a high level of skill and autonomy and identifies the issues that matter at an early stage."

Daniel McLellan KC is instructed across a broad range of commercial litigation mandates, winning particular praise for his expert handling of defamation and insurance issues.

David Cooper KC focuses on complex, business-related litigation, acting frequently on disputes arising out of contractual provisions, takeovers, securities-related questions and regulatory investigations. "He is a strong tactician whilst having command of all the detail." "If we had a really high-profile matter, he'd be our first point of call."

John Billington KC combines broad commercial and regulatory litigation experience with a noted criminal practice and a similarly strong track record in the handling of health and safety-related cases.

John Dixon KC combines commercial and criminal litigation expertise and experience, the latter including prosecutorial assignments in both New Zealand and the USA. He often acts on behalf of such bodies as the Commerce Commission, FMA and SFO, but is also active in defence roles. "He is one of the pre-eminent prosecutors of white-collar crime matters in New Zealand, and has extremely strong advocacy skills in court. His client care is excellent, and his ability to distil complex legal issues is extremely impressive."

Bronwyn Carruthers KC relies upon her considerable experience in environmental law and resource management litigation to represent corporate clients and local authorities, among others. She has appeared in the High Court, the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. "She is highly organised, very calm and is a very nice advocate. She does a really good job."

Robert Stewart is a specialist in defamation disputes and advises many of New Zealand's most prominent digital, broadcast and print media outlets. Disputes often centre on issues of freedom of expression, suppression and privacy. "He has a great practice and does a lot of defamation and media law. Very well respected."

Sarah Armstrong enjoys an established reputation as a highly effective litigator, developed in over 25 years of private practice. She is active across an impressively broad range of, among others, company, financial services and securities-related disputes. "She is very practical and commercial and has a really good understanding of the particular parts of our business."

Clive Elliott KC is considered to be one of New Zealand's pre-eminent IP silks and is regularly noted for displaying particular flair when it comes to handling especially complex matters, those involving trans-Tasman elements, or those arising from the IT sector. "He is also very competent at IP litigation and is particularly good at providing strategic advice related to IP litigation and settlement possibilities."

Kevin Glover is widely acknowledged for his intellectual property expertise, being both a published authority in the field and a much sought-after advocate who covers the full spectrum of copyright, patent, trade mark and associated issues. "Kevin is calm under pressure and methodical. He is also down to earth, approachable and responsive to client needs."