MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Litigation and Dispute Resolution - Public law and regulation

Partner

Briony is an experienced adviser and advocate in public law and regulatory matters and co-leads our Māori business team. Her expertise encompasses the development and application of regulatory frameworks, public law litigation and dispute resolution, privacy and data protection, regulatory compliance and enforcement, and crisis management.

Briony provides a wide range of strategic, legal and litigation advice to both government sector and corporate clients. Her clients operate across various sectors, including natural resources, transport, electricity, local government, disaster response, film and media, tourism, and health. She is the go-to public law adviser for a wide range of Crown entities seeking to successfully operate and mitigate risk in complex regulatory environments.

A strategic thinker, Briony approaches problems methodically and rationally. She is also a skilled communicator, known for managing interpersonal relationships with diplomacy, authenticity, and respect.

Trusted by her clients to navigate their most challenging issues with integrity and care, Briony focuses on achieving successful outcomes for those she represents. She assists clients in managing the complex intersections between government, business growth, and regulation. This includes advising extensively on the scope and exercise of statutory functions and powers, regulatory compliance and risk, public sector governance and delegations, Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi obligations, utility price and access control, transport and maritime safety regulation, and official information.

An experienced litigator, Briony represents clients in significant litigation including judicial reviews, declaratory proceedings, and merits appeals across the arts, lifeline utilities, local government, and transport sectors.

New Zealand and overseas based entities across a range of sectors also seek Briony’s help with their privacy, confidentiality, and data protection obligations. Her expertise includes privacy risk management, resolution of privacy complaints and disputes, and cyber security risk management. She is regularly called upon to help clients navigate new and emerging privacy compliance issues, such as those which emerged in the COVID-19 response in New Zealand.