About

Provided by Simpson Grierson

Simpson Grierson has the largest public law practice of any law firm in New Zealand. We have unsurpassed experience in public and administrative law, which we use to benefit clients in both the public and private sectors. 

We provide public sector organisations with policy and statutory interpretation and development, and legislative strategy and drafting services. We have been involved in the drafting of a number of significant statutes.

A major part of our practice is assisting public sector organisations defend claims and challenges to their decisions.

Increasingly we assist private sector clients across all industries in developing strategies for working effectively with government, and understanding government processes. This includes facilitating contact with, and preparing for representations to, Ministers and officials, government departments, and other representatives and advisers. We also assist with appearances before select committees and inquiries, and analysis of new legislation and policy.

Our leading local government practice is an important part of our wider public law offering. We advise over 60 local authorities, including the major metropolitan councils in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch on a range of public and administrative law issues, including both public law advisory and litigation matters.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Public Law - New Zealand

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What the Team is Known For

Simpson Grierson fields a versatile team that can address the full range of issues faced by public sector bodies at all levels but is particularly well-known for its unrivalled profile in the local government space. The firm maintains a national presence advising city and regional councils across New Zealand, with offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The team has substantial expertise in the Resource Management Act and funding mechanism matters for key areas such as housing, health and utilities. The practice is highly proficient in legislation, infrastructure and governance matters.

Work Highlights

Provided by Simpson Grierson

  • Simpson Grierson acted for the New Zealand Catholic Church in relation to the Royal Commission into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions. 

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Jonathan Salter
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Jonathan Salter
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Senior Statespeople

Jonathan Salter is a Wellington-based Consultant, particularly well known as a specialist in the representation of local authorities, an area in which he has practised for over 30 years. He offers particularly focused expertise concerning the funding of local authorities generally, and of their infrastructure in particular.

Padraig McNamara
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Padraig McNamara
Head of Public Law
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Padraig McNamara is a highly reputed public law litigator based in Auckland. He acts frequently as an advisor to local government on a variety of public law matters, most notably in relation to environmental issues.

Padraig is an extremely trusted advisor who gets great results for us.

Sally McKechnie
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Sally McKechnie
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Sally McKechnie is a well-regarded Wellington-based litigator noted for her work on contentious public law matters, frequently acting for central government and public sector clients on a variety of cases, including judicial reviews and royal commissions.

Sally has represented us with great skill, sophistication, energy, deep commitment and an ability to understand us as a complex client.

Sally is incredibly innovative in terms of her approach, very commercially astute, and her legal advice is considered lethal in its effectiveness.

Ranked Lawyers at
Simpson Grierson

Provided by Chambers
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Band

New Zealand

Public Law

Jonathan Salter
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Jonathan Salter
S
Senior Statespeople
Padraig McNamara
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Padraig McNamara
Head of Public Law
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Band 1
Sally McKechnie
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Sally McKechnie
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Band 1

Members

Provided by Simpson Grierson

Donna Hurley

Gerald Lanning

Graeme Palmer

Padraig McNamara

Padraig McNamara

Head of Department

Sally McKechnie

Sally McKechnie

Head of Department