Dispute Resolution: The Bar

Home to some 27 barristers, Stout Street Chambers is the largest chambers in Wellington, bringing together advocates with expertise covering an exhaustive range of civil, commercial and public law issues, including noted specialists in construction, energy, insolvency, regulatory and tax matters. It is principally focused upon court or tribunal-based litigation, though set members also act on advisory matters and are, in several instances, able to act in arbitrations or mediations.

Justin Smith KC offers some 40 years' experience of the commercial scene, his recent work having included noteworthy briefs in the construction, directors' duties and trust litigation spheres. "He has a very good commercial practice, he is probably in my view one of the best cross-examiners at the Commercial Bar that you will see."

Esther Watt is acknowledged by several peers as a promising junior and is well placed to act for private and public clients in commercial disputes. She regularly appears before all levels of the New Zealand courts and is deputy convenor of the New Zealand Law Society's Law Reform Committee. "Esther is fantastic. She is a real rising star."

Mike Colson KC conducts a wide-ranging practice which incorporates particularly significant expertise and experience where insolvency-related issues or those arising from the energy or property sectors are concerned. "He is a very good advocate and good operator."

Mike Lennard is particularly well qualified to advise and advocate on taxation-related issues, his career including not only extensive experience in private practice but also an eight-year stint as the Inland Revenue's director of litigation. Active across the full spectrum of contentious tax work, he is particularly well known for his representation of taxpayers charged with serious tax evasion offences.

James Every-Palmer KC is well reputed for complex competition and commercial disputes, in addition to being noted for his public sector experience. "James has a very good practice. He is a very capable, well prepared and clever advocate."

Les Taylor KC has litigated matters in courts at all levels for over 30 years, maintaining a varied practice within which construction, energy, employment and environmental issues feature prominently. He is particularly well known for his insurance-related expertise and his representation both of leading insurers, and of insureds facing professional indemnity, public liability and statutory liability claims. "He is excellent - a true insurance silk."

Mary Scholtens KC operates principally in the commercial public law space and offers particularly extensive experience of handling contract, tort and equity-related cases, matters being pursued by the Commerce Commission or Inland Revenue, and judicial reviews at both local and national government levels.