Expertise
I’ve advised hundreds of clients, whether individuals, companies, trusts, incorporated societies or government departments.
In defamation law, my expertise covers the full range of issues, from pleadings technicalities, elements of a claim, affirmative defences, through to damages, injunctions and other forms of available relief.
I handle claims arising in mainstream and social media, having built an in-depth knowledge of how content is published, disseminated, and how it may be removed.
In 2014, I created Defamation Update, which provides a legal guide and database of New Zealand cases. Defamation Update should be the first port-of-call for anyone contemplating or facing defamation proceedings – although I would say that!
Beyond defamation, I have particular expertise in:
- privacy – both under the Privacy Act and in tort,
- suppression orders,
- online harassment and bullying,
- and copyright.
I give pre-publication/pre-broadcast advice to authors, book publishers and film-production companies to navigate not only media-law risks, but also contract, insurance and intellectual-property issues.
I am often instructed by law firms across New Zealand to provide defamation opinions. I also assist other barristers in ongoing civil litigation, including King’s Counsel, whether to appear as junior counsel or provide general litigation support.
With my knowledge of litigation and the court system, I am comfortable picking up most briefs. Indeed, I’ve been instructed to act in many areas of the law, including professional discipline, employment law, company law, debt recovery, bankruptcy and liquidation, trusts and estates, equitable claims for breach of fiduciary duty, consumer law, resource management, property law, family law, and tax.
Whatever your legal problem or dispute, I’ll surely be able to assist. And if I can’t, I’ll put you in touch with a lawyer who can.