Qualifications
BA, LLB, University of Auckland
Admitted
1992, New Zealand
John specialises in commercial and public sector dispute resolution with particular expertise in insurance and maritime law.
With a broad commercial and public litigation background, John has represented clients before tribunals and courts throughout New Zealand. He also advises statutory bodies and crown entities on their statutory functions and powers and (where necessary) related litigation.
He has extensive insurance and maritime experience and provides both advisory and contentious legal services to national and international clients.
John is recognised as a Leading Individual by Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 and as a Leading Lawyer by Chambers Asia Pacific 2024.
Recent highlights
- Advising the Earthquake Commission (EQC), New Zealand's statutory disaster insurer, on all aspects of EQC's insurance from the late 1990s, including EQC's multi-billion dollar response to the Canterbury earthquakes.
- Representing a number of domestic and international insurers on a full range of matters from regulatory compliance, to policy development and drafting, reinsurance arrangements and through to High Court and appellate litigation.
- Representing major corporates and crown institutions in their material damage and business interruption insurance claims following the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake.
- Representing the New Zealand Government on insurance and maritime law aspects of the grounding of the cargo vessel MV RENA on the astrolabe reef near Tauranga in 2011.
- Representing a major international shipping company on a number of High Court proceedings (including a current test case involving potential liability for delayed cargo delivery).
- Representing New Zealand's state-owned electricity transmission business in High Court and Court of Appeal litigation
Affiliation
- Member of New Zealand Insurance Lawyers Association.
- Committee member of the Maritime Law Association of Australasia and New Zealand.
