I am a senior civil and criminal litigator heading the litigation department at Steindle Williams Legal. I have practised for over 25 years as both a partner in another law firm and as a barrister and have headed up the litigation department of Steindle Williams Legal for over 10 years.
At Steindle Williams Legal, I have developed a strong and dedicated litigation team of solicitors and support staff. Being involved in court proceedings can be a stressful and challenging time for clients so I guide them through the process with clear and practical advice about what to expect at all times.
I have a wide range of experience in litigation including:
Civil and commercial law:
I have extensive experience representing clients and appearing in the District Court and High Court in relation to various matters including: commercial disputes, misrepresentation and other deceptive conduct, injunction proceedings, employment disputes, estate and trust claims, liquidations and bankruptcy proceedings, judicial review proceedings and weathertightness and construction proceedings.
I also have extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution such as mediation and expert determination.
My recent civil experience includes:
- Acting as counsel for a former Chief Financial Officer of a multinational company in high profile High Court proceedings brought against several parties involving allegations of inappropriate accounting. My involvement included a number of complex interlocutory arguments including a successful strike out of a cause of action, preparation for a lengthy High Court trial and participation in mediation just before trial which ultimately led to a settlement being reached.
- Acting as counsel for a large commercial party in an expert determination process involving a significant sum in dispute and multiple issues. My involvement included legal submissions and complex cost analysis resulting in an award significantly reducing the quantum claimed.
- Issuing Judicial Review proceedings in the High Court at Wellington for an individual, against the Commissioner of the Inland Revenue due to the Commissioner’s failure to accept the taxpayer’s application for hardship relief in relation to significant tax arrears. Ultimately, the matter was successfully resolved by negotiation.
- Counsel for a manufacturing company in a significant multi-party leaky building claim for alleged negligence and failures in a large apartment development. The proceedings were ultimately settled at mediation prior to trial, to our client’s satisfaction.
- Commercial arbitration proceedings for a commercial tenant against a landlord involving a novel claim for damages for inordinate delay in reconstruction and abatement of rental on behalf of a leaseholder as a result of damage caused in the Christchurch earthquakes.
- Representing clients in estate proceedings under the Family Protection Act where it was alleged that the Will left insufficient support and maintenance.
- Advice to employer clients in relation to employment agreements and step by step advice in relation to restructuring and redundancy processes.
Criminal law:
I regularly appear in a full range of criminal courts including the District Court, Youth Court, and High Court conducting criminal defence, including Crimes Act and Misuse of Drugs Act prosecutions, fraud and serious traffic matters. I also appear in the appellate jurisdiction in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
My recent criminal litigation experience includes:
- Lead counsel in a highly publicised murder trial at the Auckland High Court resulting in the client being acquitted by the jury.
- Successful Court of Appeal proceedings halting the extradition of a client to face serious criminal proceedings in Australia.
- Successful stay application permanently halting proceedings for serious historical criminal offending against the client.
- Successful discharge without conviction application for a client in relation to serious driving offences.
- Obtaining interim and extended name suppression orders and non-publication orders.
- Jury trials and Judge Alone trials for clients charged with serious criminal offences resulting in acquittal.