Jack specialises in civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution with a particular focus on claims against directors and other officers (including trustees), professional liability, and commercial property disputes.
Jack advises insurers, insureds, and underwriters in New Zealand and international markets. He has experience with cross-jurisdictional financial matters including both close to home in Australia and further ashore in jurisdictions like the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, and China.
Jack brings a pragmatic and commercially sophisticated approach to disputes and believes success must be tailored to his clients’ particular needs and goals. He is quick to grapple with complex legal situations and devise commercially realistic strategies to efficiently advance matters. His time spent working with the High Court judiciary makes him a savvy litigator when necessary. Clients appreciate his meticulous attention to the detail of their case and his ability to bring legal solutions to real-world problems.
- Successfully sought urgent injunctive relief in relation to a breach of directors’ duties by other directors and assisted in subsequent negotiations ultimately leading to a settlement involving widespread corporate restructuring and client advantage of several million dollars.
- Acted as plaintiff on residential property claims against local council, builders, and inspectors for negligent and non-compliant building work (and assessments).
- Juniored in the defence of judicial review proceedings in the High Court, persuading the Court to remove an interim order preventing clients from settling a sale of marine infrastructure worth at least $13.98 million (Pacific 7 Ltd v Tauranga City Council [2025] NZHC 876).
- Assisted professional independent trustees in seeking directions from the High Court for the sale and distribution of trust property worth over $3 million in the context of contentious and divided family views and legal threats against the trust. Sought orders were gained and the trustees’ indemnity confirmed by the Court (McKean v McKean Family Trustee Ltd [2025] NZHC 1621).
- Advised on the availability of post-liquidation actions by a liquidator and creditor against a director for breaches of ss 135 and 136 of the Companies Act 1993 (reckless trading and incurring obligations).
- Advising a global construction company to a mediation in respect of complex delay claims from and against a head contractor in respect of a significant energy infrastructure project.
- Advised on plaintiff claims in contract and negligence for complex horticultural mismanagement. Plaintiffs successfully overcame defendant failures to provide information through discovery applications and were awarded costs.
- Acted for trustees of a charitable trust and succeeded in seeking High Court orders to resolve trust deed errors fatal to the operation and existence of the trust (Re Gillatt Charitable Trust Board [2024] NZHC 3374).
- Financial Institutions
- Property – Commercial
- Financial Institutions + Services
- Professions + Business Services
- Industrial + Commercial Property
- Public Sector
- Small Medium Entreprises (SMEs)
- Young Insurance Professionals
- New Zealand Insurance Law Association