CIVIL LITIGATION

In 1997 when Chris Lucas joined an already bustling legal practice the firm was accustomed to briefing out court work. Around that time, we made a policy decision to understand our cases more closely than before. This was a decision that would have far-reaching consequences.

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In the drive to stay close to what was going on we became more and more exacting about quality. We found ourselves intervening to change the course of litigation. We worked very closely with clients to get the facts straight and avoid surprises down the line. The more we did, the better we did. Soon we started putting whole cases together, drafting the pleadings, and writing up the evidence.

Our research capabilities expanded in 2013 when Simon Currie joined the firm from Otago’s Faculty of Law. 

Our approach has built on the “no surprise” court rules.  In a modern proceeding what is “going to be said” must be filed in advance.  Written material dominates the hearing and quality is critical. Cases often settle on the strength of what is written down.  Cases that do not settle can be decided when the judge reads the file.
 

Our service delivery model has been tested many times, and it works. Clients generally either win or settle on favourable terms.

We have acted in:
 

• Relationship Property cases

• Family Protection (contesting a will) and testamentary promise claims

• Breach of contract claims

• Business and consumer disputes

• Debt actions

• Land matters including leasing disputes

• Sale and purchase boundary and title disputes

• Easement and covenant issues

• Commercial leasing and cases under the Property Law Act

• Trust cases including dishonest assistance, and knowing receipt, and to remove trustees

• Relationship property cases

• Company and shareholder disputes and issues involving directors’ and shareholders’ rights and obligations

• Worksafe Health and Safety prosecutions, and Public Works Act proceedings

• Insolvency and contribution claims between guarantors, and personal property securities issues

• Emergency court orders including injunctive relief

• Employers and employees and for immigration clients

• Cases involving civil wrongs of conversion and negligence

• Arbitrations and in mediations where parties are assisted in reaching to their own settlements.