Legal Experience
I have been practicing law for over thirty years with
Council and Local Body Law
I acted as legal advisor for Tasman District Council for almost 15 years. During this time I handled over 600 appeals to the Environment and High Courts and won over 80% of contested cases. I advised the Tasman District and Nelson City Councils on a wide range of legal matters. Including the District Plan; water issues; contract issues including the purchase and legalisation of Port Tarakohe harbour; land acquisition and sale; subdivisions, financial contributions, employment matters and general legal issues.
I have also acted on a wide variety of planning applications with a considerable degree of success. I undertook commercial and employment law; health law as legal advisor to Nelson Marlborough Health Board; criminal law; contract law; conveyancing and general common law. I have been engaged extensively in family law receiving over 200 appointments from the Family Court to act for children.
Community
I have acted for community groups in resource management matters including 'Friends of Nelson Haven' and 'Friends of the Glen'. I have considerable experience in acquaculture matters appearing successfully in several major cases in the Environment Court regarding aquaculture applications in the Marlborough Sounds. I am an experienced sports administrator and have a knowledge of sports law.
I am a qualified LEADR mediator and I have successfully passed the Ministry for the Environment course on "Making Good Decisions".
Hearings Commissioner
I have acted as a hearings commissioner for the Marlborough District Council, West Coast Regional Council and Buller District Council. I am on the list of hearings commissioners for those councils and the Tasman District Council, Nelson City Council, Kaikoura District Council and Wellington Regional Council.
I have been the Chairperson of hearings committees appointed to hear several large scale development applications on the West Coast including the multi million dollar developments at Reefton (McRaes Gold Mine) Greymouth (Pike River Coal Mine) and Westport (Happy Valley Coal Mine, Stockton). I am particularly interested in mining and water issues including water abstraction applications. I have dealt with two major court appeals dealing with water abstraction contests between forestry and farming interests and have appeared in the Buller and Motueka Water Conservation Order cases.
Please contact me to discuss your requirements.