Sebastian Bisley
Thorndon ChambersCommercial disputes
Leading barristers-sole
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Kevin Glover
Shortland Chambers‘Kevin is an exceptional advocate and great to work with. He provides clear and pragmatic advice, both written and verbal.'
Tiho Mijatov
Stout Street Chambers‘First-rate advocacy, legal analysis, mastery of facts, and communication skills. Tiho is an exceptional lawyer who is destined for the inner Bar.’
Jonathan Orpin-Dowell
Stout Street Chambers'Jonathan’s talented advocacy and frankly extraordinary work ethic means he is my first choice for any complex commercial dispute.’
Rebecca Rose
Bankside Chambers‘No weaknesses. One of the best legal minds in New Zealand.'
Tim Smith
Thorndon ChambersJack Wass
Stout Street Chambers ‘Jack is a multi-talented advocate who punches well above his years in practice. He has a wide range of law at his fingertips, a good strategic sense, can produce outstanding written work quickly, and is a confident advocate on his feet. No question he is a leader of the bar or bench in the making.’
Monique van Alphen Fyfe
Stout Street Chambers‘Monique is a bright and principled advocate with real backbone.’
Paul Chisnall
Stout Street Chambers‘Paul is a very decisive and efficient litigator who is well-regarded by the judiciary at all levels. He has a very good instinct for what is right and ethical and for how a strategy will be perceived by the court. His advocacy skills are excellent.’
David Friar
Mills Lane Chambers'David is a very through detail-oriented person. His ability to understand technical building blocks and methods of repair are impressive.'
Ian Gordon
Stout Street Chambers'Ian has exceptional technical understanding of the key legal issues and an ability to communicate these simply.'
Matthew Harris
Shortland Chambers‘Matthew is a superbly well balanced advocate, both in the courtroom and in less formal settings. He brings a rare combination of intelligence, empathy and hard work to his briefs.’
Isaac Hikaka
Mills Lane Chambers‘Isaac is a leading advocate, one of the very best in Court. He is extremely intelligent, and has excellent judgment. He will nail the key points in a case. He is a worthy, outstanding advocate.’
Jeremy Johnson
Bankside Chambers‘Jeremy is a very good advocate – he is an eloquent speaker, and his oral submissions are very persuasive.’
Anna Kirk
Bankside Chambers ‘Anna is a superb advocate. She has a total command of her specialist subject and is able to use this knowledge to great effect in relation to all aspects of arbitration work. She has an excellent tactical approach to the dispute in question and is able to use interlocutory applications to great effect for the benefit of her clients.’
Mike Lennard
Stout Street Chambers‘Mike demonstrates an unparalleled understanding of tax law, consistently delivering sound, strategic advice. His extensive knowledge spans across various legal disciplines, making him a versatile and highly effective tax barrister.’
Lauren Lindsay
Bankside Chambers‘Lauren is a ferocious advocate who will fight strongly for her clients and put their best case forward. Combined with her razor sharp analytical skills and her deep experience in both commercial and investment treaty arbitration, Lauren is a formidable force and a joy to work with.’
Michael Morrison
Bankside Chambers‘Michael is an exceptional advocate for his clients. He is analytical, considered and strong in his advocacy. He is someone you want on your team in a challenging dispute.’
Polly Pope
Bankside ChambersGareth Richards
Stout Street Chambers‘Gareth is highly intelligent, thoughtful and effective in his work. He has an effective advocacy style and is well respected by judges for the quality of his court room work. ’
Mark Sandelin
Mills Lane ChambersMorgan Slyfield
Stout Street ChambersSamantha Turner
Stout Street Chambers 'Having her in our corner provides a great sense of comfort. She’s a fierce advocate, while expertly guiding us through a complex and sensitive situation.’
Esther Watt
Stout Street Chambers'She has the ability to grasp difficult legal issues and commercial issues in a unique way, and then to deliver submissions on complex matters which are understandable and thoroughly researched and on point. She is a great advocate.’
Bridgette White
Bankside Chambers‘Bridgette is a great communicator. She has tremendous people skills and strong litigation instincts. She is in demand at the junior bar which reflects the esteem in which she is held.’
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Mike Colson KC
Stout Street Chambers‘His knowledge of very technical rules around aspects of discovery and legal privilege is impressive.’
Jack Hodder KC
Thorndon ChambersStephen Hunter KC
Shortland Chambers‘He is impressive in managing strategically difficult matters. He is always across the detail and has a superb intellect. He is one of the leading KCs of his generation and a go to barrister for regulatory matters.’
Justin Smith KC
Stout Street Chambers ‘Smith’s advice is always well considered and sound. He has a good understanding of the law and his legal submissions are always well researched and drafted.'
Andrew Stephen Butler KC
Mills Lane Chambers 'Andrew is one of the, if not the, leading commercial silks in New Zealand. He is a fearless and compelling advocate, has encyclopedic knowledge of the law, great client skills and is excellent to work with. His trial and appellate advocacy is second to none. No obvious weaknesses.’
Jenny Cooper KC
Shortland ChambersJames Every-Palmer KC
Stout Street Chambers‘His intellectual and analytical skills place him at the top end of his profession. He combines this with a deep understanding of both the law and the commercial and regulatory environments within which his clients operate. His advocacy is highly regarded.'
Simon Foote KC
Bankside Chambers‘Simon is a very experienced advocate. His cross examination skills are first rate.’
Jason Goodall KC
Bankside Chambers ‘Jason is one of the top silks for commercial and insolvency matters. He is sought after for his strategic and commercial approach to disputes. He is also very skilled at negotiation, including where the parties and the dynamics are particularly challenging, to get to a result.’
Davey Salmon KC
Mills Lane Chambers ‘Davey has top level analytical skills and his advocacy in difficult factual cases is second to none. His cross examination is deadly, and his engaging oral advocacy is famous.’
2024 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Wendy Aldred KC
Stout Street Chambers‘Wendy always demonstrates crystal clear analysis of legal issues coupled with a practical and proportionate way of finding solutions. She is a very effective and fearless advocate.’
Sarah Armstrong KC
Shortland Chambers ‘Sarah is an impressive litigator with established reputation in commercial, financial services and securities disputes.'
Daniel Kalderimis SC
Thorndon ChambersZane Kennedy KC
Mills Lane Chambers‘An outstanding advocate. He has excellent knowledge of the commercial details and intricacies of the dispute.’
Tim Stephens KC
Stout Street Chambers‘Tim is very bright. He is a powerful black-letter lawyer. He has good advocacy skills. ’
Robert Stewart KC
Shortland Chambers‘Robert has an exceptional ability to set things out for clients in a way they will understand. Rarely have instructing solicitors seen anyone deal with clients in such a clear and thoughtful manner. He is strategically excellent and a pleasure to deal with.’
Nura Taefi KC
Shortland Chambers‘She is analytical, thoughtful, commercially pragmatic and an excellent advocate at all levels of law courts.’