Simpson Grierson - John Shackleton

John leads the Litigation National Practice Group. He is a commercial litigation and dispute resolution specialist with over 25 years' experience. He is a past member of the firm’s Board.

John acts on major commercial and public law litigation and arbitrations. He also regularly assists clients to resolve disputes through mediation and negotiated settlements.

John has expertise in insurance, commercial property, IT and contract disputes. He advises on strategy and risk for regulatory compliance. He also acts in securities enforcement litigation, including in receiverships and liquidations.

John works with his clients to deliver focussed advice and assistance to manage risk.

John is admitted as a Solicitor, England and Wales.

John is a member of RITANZ, and a chartered member of Institute of Directors.

Asia Pacific Legal 500 2018-2023

Dispute Resolution

Leading Lawyer

Australia and New Zealand Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist 2022

Leading Arbitration Practitioner

Work Highlights

A major local authority

Acting in a significant arbitral claim against an international insurance broker for negligence, breach of contract and misleading and deceptive conduct under the Fair Trading Act 1986.

NZRU

Defending the NZRU in the High Court against a claim for breach of duty of care for failing to protect a player.

Local Authorities

Representing a number of local authorities litigation and disputes arising from IT projects.

NZRE Corgi

Advising a European investment fund on disputes concerning its retail commercial property portfolio in New Zealand.

Statistics NZ

Acting for Statistics NZ in connection with its Auckland premises, and on material damage and business interruption claims for its Wellington premises.

Office of the Ombudsman

Advising in connection with an IT dispute.

New Zealand Oil & Gas Ltd

Companies Act Part 15 return of capital to shareholders.

Christchurch City Council

High court declaratory proceedings concerning the scope of statutory cover available under the Earthquake Commission Act 1993 for increased flooding vulnerability.

Grey District Council v Banks

High Court proceedings challenging the validity of Council ground leases.

Bailey v Christchurch City Council

Defending High Court judicial review proceedings concerning the Council’s decision to install horizontal infrastructure following the Canterbury earthquakes.

McVitty v Bank of New Zealand Ltd

Acting for Receivers in an application to strike out/stay proceedings brought by companies in receivership.

Arms v New Plymouth District Council

Applying to strike out representative actions in the High Court relating to claims under the Fair Trading Act 1986, in promissory estoppel and in negligence.