Hamish is experienced advising on and acting in complex commercial and corporate disputes focusing on regulatory, insurance, banking and construction disputes. He is ranked as a Next Generation Partner for Dispute Resolution by Legal 500, “Up and Coming” for Dispute Resolution by Chambers and Partners, and is listed on Legal 500’s Australasia Arbitration Powerlist.
Hamish has appeared in New Zealand courts at all levels and in arbitrations and other contractual dispute resolution forums. Recent experience includes acting for SkyCity on claims arising from the New Zealand International Convention Centre construction project and fire, acting in complex commercial litigation arising from the insolvency of a listed insurer, responding to regulatory investigations and proceedings against listed and privately held entities, and defending substantial class action claims.
Hamish holds an LLM from the University of Cambridge, where he was awarded the WM Tapp Studentship in Law from Gonville & Caius College. He regularly presents at professional development seminars, and has received numerous scholarships and awards for his academic and legal writing.
LLB (Hons) / BA (Auckland) LLM (Cambridge)
Admitted to the Bar in 2012
acting for SkyCity on numerous matters arising out of the construction of the New Zealand International Convention Centre, including a claim for $330m for construction delays and in relation to a major fire at the site in 2019
acting for certain trustees of Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara’s Post-Settlement Governance Entity in High Court proceedings seeking orders for removal of trustees and orders about holding elections for trustees
acting for Tower insurance in proceedings setting the civil pecuniary penalty related to misapplication of multi-policy discounts
acting for a mining prospecting company in declaratory proceedings arising from a dispute with the purchaser of mining rights, relating to the non-payment of two performance payments of US$40m
acting for forestry companies in relation to liability claims arising out of damage to farmland, properties and beaches resulting from forestry slash and woody debris following storm events in 2018 and 2023
acting for a major bank in relation to a litigation funded class action brought by investors following the collapse of Ross Asset Management, a financial adviser revealed to have been running New Zealand’s largest Ponzi scheme
acting for PwC in proceedings arising from the collapse of CBL Insurance group of companies
acting for the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Incorporated on public interest appeals in respect of environmental matters, including successfully appearing in the Supreme Court in relation to a seabed mining proposal in the South Taranaki Bight
acting for SkyCity in High Court proceedings determining a $50m dispute arising from the termination and valuation of a car park concession agreement
acting for listed and private entities in regulatory investigations and proceedings
