Philip Skelton KC

Practice Areas

- Class actions

- Civil and commercial litigation and dispute resolution

- Employment law

- Inquiries

Career

Philip is one of the leading class action lawyers in New Zealand. His interest in group litigation began in 2001 while he was a partner at Russell McVeagh when he acted for a plaintiff group to successfully pursue claims against various global pharmaceutical companies involved in a multi-national vitamin price fixing cartel.

Philip’s Inquiry experience includes:

- counsel assisting Justice Toogood KC’s independent investigation into the death of a student in a hall of residence at the University of Canterbury;

- senior counsel assisting the Government Inquiry into Auckland’s fuel disruption;

conducting an independent inquiry into the death of an air traffic controller on behalf of Airways Corporation; and

- numerous employment related investigations whether on behalf of employers, employees or in the role of independent investigator.

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Philip was admitted to the Bar in 1983 and commenced practice as a barrister sole in 2006 after 14 years as a Russell McVeagh partner. He was made a QC in 2013.

Philip’s litigation experience includes frequent appearances in the Employment Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and in the Supreme Court.

Philip is ranked in Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 and 2025 for Dispute Resolution: "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."

Professional Memberships

- New Zealand Bar Association

- New Zealand Law Society (Former Convenor NZLS National Standards Committee)

- Auckland District Law Society (Member and former convener of the employment Law Committee)

- Honorary Lawyer and former Club Chairman Auckland University Cricket Club

- Trustee and former Chairman, Auckland Grammar School Foundation Trust