Fee Langstone > Auckland, New Zealand > Firm Profile
Fee Langstone Offices
Level 18
51 Shortland Street
Auckland 1010
New Zealand
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Fee Langstone > The Legal 500 Rankings
New Zealand > Insurance Tier 1
Based primarily in Auckland, insurance is the cornerstone of Fee Langstone‘s practice. Renowned for its expertise in policy advice and indemnity matters, its capabilities also extend to regulatory and compliance work and professional disciplinary complaints. Department co-heads Philippa Fee, who clients describe as a ‘true insurance expert‘ with ‘wide ranging experience across various insurance lines’, and Craig Langstone are leaders in the industry, with Langstone advising across the whole spectrum of insurance matters, including professional indemnity, public liability, business interruption and parametric insurance. Pauline Davies is highlighted as ‘extremely knowledgeable and approachable in the marine field’. Litigators Cecily Brick, Matthew Atkinson, Virginia Wethey and counsel Bradley Alcorn are key practitioners in Auckland.Practice head(s):
Philippa Fee; Craig Langstone
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The firm has a solid grasp of insurance and admiralty law and practice.’
‘Pauline Davies – advice from her is always solid, well thought out and succinctly delivered. ’
‘Phillipa Fee – true insurance expert, capable court lawyer, wide ranging experience across various insurance lines. Virginia Wethey – highly capable insurance lawyer who gets great results.’
‘Pauline Davies is our contact and is extremely knowledgable and approachable in the marine field. ’
‘Very capable team of insurance experts with a great understanding of insurance products and industry imperatives.’
‘It started off quite small but has grown into one of the most valuable firms in the industry. The team’s expertise ranges among a variety of topics. They are always available to help and at times they provide some free legal advice.’
‘The individuals are very friendly and knowledgeable.’
‘The team have a remarkable depth of experience and talent in insurance law. ’
Key clients
Ando
AIG (NZ), AIG Australia, AIG Europe (UK) Ltd
AIG Speciality Claims Australasia
Allianz New Zealand
Allianz Australia Ltd
Ando Insurance Group Ltd
Antares Managing Agency Ltd
Argo Managing Agency Ltd
AXA Climate
Berkshire Hathaway Speciality Insurance
Canopius Syndicate
Chaucer Syndicates Ltd
Chubb Insurance NZ
Cloud Collections Ltd -on behalf of Capricorn Mutual Ltd
Club Marine Ltd
Crombie Lockwood
Delta Insurance
Dual NZ
FMG Insurance
General Reinsurance Corporation
ICIB
International Transport Intermediaries
Lloyds of London
Manchester Underwriting Management Ltd
Marsh
Newline Syndicate 1218
NZI & NZI Marine (IAG)
NZ Underwriting Agencies Ltd
QBE European Operations
QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd
QBE Fiji
QBE Smartpak
RedSky Insurance
Southern Cross Benefits Ltd
Steadfast Group
SURA
Thomas Miller
Tokio Marine & Nichido
Vero Insurance (New Zealand) / Suncorp
Zurich New Zealand
Work highlights
- Acted for Vero Insurance (Suncorp Group) in a proceeding concerning earthquake damage to a group of industrial and commercial buildings.
- Acted for the three co-insurers (AIG, Vero, NZI) of a marine cargo policy issued in respect of used cars being imported into New Zealand from Japan.
- Acting for QBE Insurance (Australia) in respect of a claim brought by Body Corporate 423090 following earthquake damage sustained to the Body Corp’s building in Christchurch known as Pacific Tower.
New Zealand > Dispute resolution Tier 3
Noted for its ‘deep understanding of the insurance industry and insurance law’, Auckland-based Fee Langstone is variously praised for its ‘friendly, formidable, practical and reliable’ advice. The practice counts complaints, regulatory investigations, and class actions in its key caseload. The team is jointly led by the ‘truly outstanding’ Philippa Fee and Craig Langstone. Fee regularly represents insurers and their clients in property damage claims, while Langstone is routinely engaged by insurance companies in dispute resolution matters. The ‘client-focused’ Russell Stewart is noted for his expertise in professional indemnity litigation, defending claims against solicitors and barristers, accountants, investment bankers, and engineers.Practice head(s):
Philippa Fee; Craig Langstone
Other key lawyers:
Pauline Davies; Russell Stewart; Matthew Atkinson; Virginia Wethe
Testimonials
‘Very strong team of capable lawyers with a deep understanding of the insurance industry and insurance law.’
‘All in all, we have found the team at Fee Langstone always friendly, formidable, practical and reliable. We have found their service to be exemplary.’
‘Philippa Fee was amazing. She gave great practical advice right from the outset and was available when urgently needed with fantastic support. The support throughout was great and her skill at wrapping it up when it needed to be resolved was perfect. Truly outstanding.’
‘Russell Stewart is client focused and provides practical advice and litigation support in a cost-efficient manner.’
‘Fee Langstone have a formidable team of lawyers who are able to listen to its clients, understand the client’s issues, which are often complex, then advise on the matters in hand within a reasonable timeframe.’
‘Russell Stewart knows his audit litigation more than anybody I have ever met.’
‘Fee Langstone are exceptional litigators. They always kept me well informed and ensured that what they were providing was what my business needed. They are knowledgeable and practical. Excellent value for money.’
‘Russell Stewart is client-focused and provides practical advice and litigation support in a cost-efficient manner.’
Key clients
Crombie Lockwood
EY
Frank’s International
KPMG Ireland
KPMG New Zealand
Lloyds of London
NCI Commercial Collections
NTI Limited
PricewaterhouseCoopers
QBE European Operations
QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd
NZI & NZI Marine
Vero Insurance (Suncorp)
Zurich New Zealand
Work highlights
- Acted for Ernst & Young in relation to High Court proceedings brought by Fuji Xerox NZ and related entities against its former auditor, EY, two former directors and the former CFO arising out of alleged inappropriate accounting practices.
- Representing QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd and its insured (Statistics New Zealand) in bringing a subrogated recovery action against two engineering firms and the owner/landlord of a building which has been deemed a total loss following the Kaikoura earthquake.
- Acting for Chapman Tripp in defending High Court class action proceedings in relation to the initial public offering of shares and subsequent collapse of the Intueri Education Group.
Fee Langstone > Firm Profile
Fee Langstone is a leading insurance and commercial litigation practice. With a team of seven partners and almost thirty staff, we act for most of New Zealand’s major insurers as well as a number of international insurance clients.
Since our inception nearly 30 years ago, we have successfully managed a range of matters involving almost every insurance product on the market. Our in-depth knowledge of the industry, coupled with our commitment to providing a high level of professionalism, pragmatism and reliability has seen many of our clients remain with us for decades.
Background
Our company was founded in the late 1980s when partners, Philippa Fee and Craig Langstone, were partners at Heaney Jones. In 1996, they became founding partners of Jones Fee, later joined by Pauline Davies. Cecily Brick then joined the partnership in 2010 and together, they formed Fee Langstone in 2015. To complement the firm’s depth of experience, we then added the next generation of partners, with Matthew Atkinson joining in 2016 followed by Russell Stewart and Virginia Wethey in 2019 to complete the current leadership team.
Our specialist services include:
- Insurance: the cornerstone of Fee Langstone’s expertise as a full-service insurance firm
- Dispute resolution and commercial litigation
- Policy advice
- Regulatory and compliance
- Professional disciplinary complaints
- Maritime &transportation
- Corporate legal services
- Insolvency
An active voice in the industry
Fee Langstone plays an active role in both the legal and insurance industries with our partners and senior lawyers regularly presenting to industry bodies such as IBANZ, NZ Law, ANZIIF, the New Zealand Law Society and NZILA as well as providing a range of specialist training seminars for our clients.
Ensuring the E in team is ‘Everything Equal’
As a busy practice, we are focused on ensuring we maintain an inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe, valued and supported. We are proudly a gender-diverse organisation and a member of Diversity Works NZ. We are also part of the Pride Pledge programme and we nurture an inclusive work environment, regardless of identity. The firm also provides a range of opportunities to nurture good mental health and wellbeing practices for our people as well as a mentoring program to ensure everyone in the team is happy and proud to call Fee Langstone a great place to work.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Insurance | Craig Langstone | ||
Insurance | Cecily Brick | ||
Insurance | Virginia Wethey | ||
Dispute resolution | Philippa Fee | ||
Dispute resolution | Craig Langstone | ||
Policy advice | Cecily Brick | ||
Policy advice | Matthew Atkinson | ||
Professional disciplinary complaints | Philippa Fee | ||
Professional disciplinary complaints | Matthew Atkinson | ||
Maritime and transportation | Pauline Davies | ||
Corporate legal services | Craig Langstone | ||
Corporate legal services | Pauline Davies | ||
Insolvency | Pauline Davies | ||
Insolvency | Philippa Fee | ||
Construction | Cecily Brick | ||
Construction | Craig Langstone | ||
Regulatory advice and statutory defence | Philippa Fee | ||
Regulatory advice and statutory defence | Matthew Atkinson | ||
Employment | Craig Langstone | ||
Employment | Philippa Fee | ||
Professional indemnity | Philippa Fee | ||
Professional indemnity | Matthew Atkinson | ||
Directors and officers | Philippa Fee | ||
Professional indemnity | Russell Stewart | ||
Directors and officers | Matthew Atkinson | ||
Property insurance | Craig Langstone | ||
Property insurance | Cecily Brick | ||
Fidelity insurance | Philippa Fee | ||
Fidelity insurance | Craig Langstone | ||
Cyber insurance | Craig Langstone | ||
Cyber insurance | Cecily Brick |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Bradley Alcorn | Special Counsel | View Profile | |
Matthew Atkinson | Partner | View Profile | |
Cecily Brick | Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Pauline Davies | Partner | View Profile | |
Philippa Fee | Partner | View Profile | |
Craig Langstone | Partner | View Profile | |
Russell Stewart | Partner | View Profile | |
Virginia Wethey | Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 26 :Languages
EnglishMemberships
Australia and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand Young Insurance Professionals Australia and New Zealand New Zealand Insurance Law AssociationInternational capabilities
Fee Langstone’s clients include major insurers from around the world, international auditing and accounting firms, an international seafarers’ protection organization, a number of New Zealand’s major exporting and chartering interests, and businesses involved in commercial activity in relation to disputes in New Zealand.
Fee Langstone has a ‘best friends’ relationship with global law firm Clyde & Co. It is a strategic collaboration designed to strengthen Clyde & Co’s presence in New Zealand and to provide Fee Langstone with international coverage and expertise. As part of the agreement, the two firms refer work to each other where possible and undertake joint marketing initiatives across the New Zealand and Australian regions. The legal industry is becoming increasingly global and this alliance provides Fee Langstone with a valuable international and Australasian perspective.
Fee Langstone has been ranked in Band 1 for Insurance in the 2020 Chambers Asia-Pacific rankings. Philippa Fee was named as a Notable Practitioner and was ranked as Band 1 Lawyer for Insurance. Partner Pauline Davies is also named in numerous legal guides, including the Guide to the World’s Leading Shipping and Maritime Lawyers and to Women in Business Law, Best Lawyers and the Chambers Asia Pacific Guide.
Legal Developments
Workplace death leads to $11m proceeds of crime test case
21st March 2024 In 2017, Ron Salter, and his waste fuel collection business, Salters Cartage Ltd, were convicted for a series of breaches of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.RMA Redemption – Page v Greater Wellington Regional Council [2024] NZCA 51
21st March 2024 It is not often that a person is sentenced to prison for breaching the Resource Management Act. It is even more infrequent that such convictions are overturned on appeal.Leisure Investments NZ Ltd Partnership v Grace [2023] NZCA 89
14th February 2024 Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal upheld a High Court decision finding the owners of the Christchurch Adventure Park liable for losses caused to neighbouring property owners whose homes were damaged by the spread of fire from the Park.Cargo Insurance Implications of Middle East Conflict
14th February 2024 The conflict between Israel and Palestine, and the associated attacking of commercial ships in the Red Sea by the Houthi rebels – both seem a long way from New Zealand.Smith v Fonterra & Ors: Supreme Court allows novel claim of climate change tort to continue
14th February 2024 The Supreme Court has handed down a significant decision to allow novel climate change claims to proceed. We briefly summarise its conclusions, and identify several challenging issues for insurers and their clients posed by the decision.WorkSafe New Zealand v RH & Jury Trust: A Landmark Decision on Trustee Liability under the Health and Safety at Work Act
14th February 2024 In a pivotal decision that could reshape the enforcement landscape of health and safety legislation in New Zealand, the High Court has provided clarification on the liability of trusts and trustees with respect to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).Special Report: A watertight weathertightness exclusion?
19th January 2022Napier City Council v Local Government Mutual Funds Trustee [2021] NZHC 1477
Second Covid test case in Australia favours insurers
19th January 2022Swiss Re International SE v LCA Marrickville Pty Limited [2021] FCA 1206
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