Department profile

High Net Worth: The Bar

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : New Zealand

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Bankside Chambers

Bankside Chambers is one of New Zealand’s leading chambers in civil and commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation. Its set includes barristers, arbitrators and mediators who are known for their legal ability, client-oriented approach, depth of experience and skilled advocacy.

Bankside members represent major global and New Zealand-based companies, private commercial entities, charities, private individuals and government departments. Current and former members also sit on important tribunals and public bodies in New Zealand and abroad.

Bankside Singapore includes some of New Zealand’s leading advocates and arbitrators in both international and domestic arbitration, as well as top mediators. It is the first and only New Zealand group of barristers, arbitrators, and mediators dedicated to maintaining a lasting presence in Singapore.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

High Net Worth: The Bar - New Zealand

What the Team is Known For

Bankside Chambers is generally acknowledged to be both one of the largest and one of the most prestigious sets in Auckland, with a source noting that the "Bankside Chambers has considerable depth of expertise, particularly in construction and commercial disputes." Another similarly reports: "I would rate Bankside as having the best depth, across all levels, of any set in New Zealand." The chambers is also acknowledged for upholding a tradition of eminence in the alternative dispute resolution sphere, housing leading arbitrators and mediators and maintaining a permanent presence in the arbitration hub of Singapore. Emma Donnelly is the chambers manager and recommended contact.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The clerks have a high service ethic.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
The clerks provide an excellent level of service.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Band 1
Band 1
Christine Meechan
Christine Meechan KC is known for her adept management of large and complex pieces of litigation in general, and for expert handling of construction and insurance-related disputes in particular.
Christine Meechan is a great cross-examiner, gives robust advice and I feel like she's a safe pair of hands.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
Christine Meechan is probably New Zealand's leading construction silk, one of the few who can claim to be a specialist and the best known and most able.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 1
Band 1
Jeremy Johnson
Jeremy Johnson is active in a variety of areas of commercial litigation and arbitration, with expertise across trusts, relationship property and company law.
Jeremy is the finest civil litigator I have had the benefit of working with. I cannot recommend him enough.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
Jeremy Johnson has the rare ability to protect and advance his client's needs without undue open conflict. He has complete knowledge of the relevant law in each case.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 1
Band 1
Tom Weston
Tom Weston KC enjoys a strong reputation for his broad and highly varied commercial litigation practice which incorporates particularly strong construction and trust-related components.
Tom Weston is an exceptional advocate and provides an unparalleled level of service. He is always available and turns work around at an impressive speed.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
Tom Weston is one of the go-to silks on complex cases.
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Band 2
Band 2
Lauren Lindsay
Lauren Lindsay is noted for simultaneously maintaining busy domestic litigation and international arbitration practices, acting on matters arising from an impressively varied range of business sectors and addressing both complex contractual disputes and criminal cases with significant commercial components.
Lauren is intelligent, considered and builds great relationships.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
Lauren Lindsay displayed excellent judgement and a thorough understanding of the evidence and relevant law.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 2
Band 2
Polly Pope
Polly Pope is an experienced litigator with over 20 years' experience in private practice. She offers particular expertise in insolvency and restructuring.
Polly Pope is a very tenacious litigator with strong insolvency skills.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
Polly Pope is very considered in her advice. She balances commercial and technical considerations very well and has a very in-depth knowledge of the industry and knows the dynamics of who's involved.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 2
Band 2
Simon Foote
Simon Foote KC focuses closely on disputes arising in the construction and engineering spheres, offering extensive experience in the fields of both litigation and international arbitration. He is additionally noted as an accomplished handler of certain classes of criminal cases and complex commercial disputes.
Simon Foote is a leading commercial silk. I would consider briefing Simon on all contentious matters involving trusts and commercial disputes.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
Simon Foote is an accomplished courtroom advocate with versatile legal skills.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
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Band 3
Band 3
Graeme Christie
Graeme Christie specialises in construction law disputes, bringing to the table over 40 years' experience in the space, acquired largely with leading solicitors' firms in both New Zealand and London.
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Band 3
Band 3
Jason Goodall
Jason Goodall KC maintains a broad commercial litigation practice, encompassing a substantial body of financial services work and extensive experience before the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Jason Goodall is pragmatic and brings a commercial and strategic approach. He has a great manner with clients and is an excellent silk in every respect.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
Jason is excellent to work with. He is a great tactician and very understanding of his clients' objectives.
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Band 3
Band 3
Philip Skelton
Philip Skelton KC is a vastly experienced barrister who brings over a decade of experience as a partner at a prominent law firm. He is well known for representing clients in sizeable class actions as well as employment disputes.
Philip was excellent from the outset.
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Band 3
Band 3
Rebecca Rose
Rebecca Rose conducts a varied practice, spanning civil, commercial and public law issues, but is particularly well known for her handling of high-stakes cases involving private clients and disputes involving trusts and estates.
Rebecca is a strategic litigator and first-class advocate. She is one of the best legal minds in New Zealand. She is technically excellent and very user-friendly.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
Rebecca understands personalities and interpersonal relationships and has a strong understanding of commercial principles and the importance of getting an outcome clients can live with.
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New Silks
New Silks
Kelly Quinn
Kelly Quinn KC is a leading construction law barrister. A former Crown prosecutor, he also practised law in Hong Kong and has become a trusted and respected advocate.
Kelly Quinn is one of the best construction lawyers in the country, certainly when there is a tricky problem.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
Kelly Quinn has been hands down the most expert KC I’ve worked with in relation to complex construction issues. He gives highly technical expert evidence.
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New Silks
New Silks
Sarah Jerebine
Sarah Jerebine KC is well reputed for disputes in the public law sphere, with significant experience advising the Crown.
Sarah Jerebine KC is an exceptional barrister.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
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Spotlight
Spotlight
Deborah Chambers
Deborah Chambers KC is widely recognised for her handling of relationship property and trust litigation matters. She is particularly noted for her expertise in high-profile divorce cases, especially those involving multi-jurisdictional aspects.
Deborah Chambers KC is the pre-eminent choice for contentious relationship property cases.
High Net Worth: The Bar respondentAsia-Pacific
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