Dispute Resolution: The Bar

Justin Smith KC offers some 40 years' experience of the commercial scene, his recent work having included noteworthy briefs in the construction, directors' duties and trust litigation spheres.

"Justin is a very experienced and knowledgeable KC who has assisted our clients in very difficult and complex matters."

Mike Lennard is particularly well qualified to advise and advocate on taxation-related issues, his career including not only extensive experience in private practice but also an eight-year stint as the Inland Revenue's director of litigation. Active across the full spectrum of contentious tax work, he is particularly well known for his representation of taxpayers charged with serious tax evasion offences.

Esther Watt is acknowledged by several peers as a promising junior and is well placed to act for private and public clients in commercial disputes. She regularly appears before all levels of the New Zealand courts and is deputy convenor of the New Zealand Law Society's Law Reform Committee.

"Esther has a calm demeanour with instructing counsel and with the client. She has razor-sharp intellect and very strong advocacy skills. I would highly recommend her."

James Every-Palmer KC is well reputed for complex competition and commercial disputes, in addition to being noted for his public sector experience.

"James has fantastic intellectual ability but is also client-focused and delivers good practical, useful advice. He is always very timely in what he gives us."

Mike Colson KC conducts a wide-ranging practice which incorporates particularly significant expertise and experience where insolvency-related issues or those arising from the energy or property sectors are concerned.

"Mike is excellent to work with. He can cut through the detail and focus on what matters."

Les Taylor KC has litigated matters in courts at all levels for over 30 years, maintaining a varied practice within which construction, energy, employment and environmental issues feature prominently. He is particularly well known for his insurance-related expertise and his representation both of leading insurers, and of insureds facing professional indemnity, public liability and statutory liability claims.

"Les offers great advice, litigation strategy and courtroom skills - the all-round package."

Mary Scholtens KC operates principally in the commercial public law space and offers particularly extensive experience of handling contract, tort and equity-related cases, matters being pursued by the Commerce Commission or Inland Revenue, and judicial reviews at both local and national government levels.